Ranking Analysis: Top 2027 Mids from SoCal
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USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first PrepSoccer subscription The PrepSoccer state rankings for the class of 2027 debut this week with a first look at California’s freshman class. This is a class full of talent so…
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The PrepSoccer state rankings for the class of 2027 debut this week with a first look at California’s freshman class. This is a class full of talent so some of the positional breakdowns have been magnified further into a geographical scope as well.
The midfield group is a special. Mia Corona Mia Corona M Santa Margarita | 2027 State #2 Nation CA is the No. 1 player in the class. She has high-level potential and her current trajectory suggests she is on the fast track to the highest levels of the game. The full scouting report on Corona and the top six players in this class were posted last week.
Below is a look at some of the the other top players from Southern California from the midfield position.
Barajas is part of the successful Legends program. She has been identified by US Soccer Scouts as one of the top players in the region and been part of multiple Youth National Team ID events. She can play as either the No. 6 or the No. 8. She is quick in her decision-making and with her feet. As the lynchpin of the Legends side, Barajas provides the game-breaking ability with her passing. She had a moment during the ECNL playoffs last season when she attempted a chipped pass with backspin against a high-line defense to send in her center forward on goal. The attempt did not work, but the ambition and vision to pull that off in a game showcased her quality as one of the best midfielders in this class. She has an excellent right foot and can score from range when given space.
Highlights
Listed as a forward/midfielder on her player profile, I saw Galvan play as a defensive midfielder for Rebels SC 08 ECNL. She is right footed, composed on the ball, and showed excellent ball-striking technique. She showed that she was comfortable playing out of pressure and did well tactically in adjusting her position to provide a passing lane for her teammates. One aspect of her game that could improve is on the defensive side of the ball. She was a willing tackler, but too many players withstood her tackles and kept possession of the ball. She needs to put more conviction into her tackles when she sees the opportunity to win possession. The Rebels 08 squad looks like it could be one to watch this season as they have some top talent in the 2026 and 2027s classes.
Allie Chang Allie Chang M State CA is a midfielder (No. 8) for the Beach FC 09 ECNL. She has been part of the Cal South ODP for the past two years in the 09 age group. Chang is a player that impressed me in every Beach FC game that I saw. She looks like she could play at a much faster speed of play than most youth games. She is at her best in one or two-touch situations. She likes to pass and move. Quickly beating the defensive trap of the opposition with combination play, she unlocked a number of key passes through the central channel with simplicity, which is difficult and rare for this level. She offers playmaking qualities in the center of the field. She had some spectacular assists last season. She is a good on-ball defender. She could improve her level in off-ball defending – being more active in jump into passing lanes and cutting out options for the opposition. Chang is a skillful midfielder who should has a bright future in the game.
I was really impressed with Quintanilla’s play this summer for the Legends 09 squad. She is probably overshadowed by her teammates when the Legends have the full roster available, but the quality is there for her to fight for a prominent role with this team during this season. She has very active feet – she’s moving those cleats constantly. Her quick feet in tackles is noteworthy as she wins a ton of duels without being physical – there is some bite to her game too. The constant scanning over her shoulders is an asset that all coaches will cherish as she has a good snapshot of where the opposition is before receiving the ball. She might not have a big role at the start of the ECNL campaign, but she should be one in the spotlight in June.
Murray is a center midfielder for Beach FC ECNL 09. She was called into the US Soccer Talent ID center at the end of the month as one of only a handful of midfielders from Southern California that US Soccer Scouts want to see in that competitive one-day training environment. Murray can play as either a No. 6 or a No. 10. I’ve mainly seen her play as a No. 10 and I think that’s where she projects for the future. She is left-footed, which is already a unique aspect of her game. She is good on either foot, but she has a stellar strike with her left foot and buried a handful of goals late last season from outside of the box with her left. She is a very good dribbler – uses all parts of her foot, great body control, good lower body strength. Murray
Swain is on the list of players with the potential to end up as the best player in this class. She has been excellent at the start of the new season. Always engaged in the play, Swain is focused and determined to lead her side to even better campaign in 2023/2024. Her highlight is a bit dated, but the preview of the player is on display. She’s taken a step forward in how she influences the game. She’s very active in getting her teammates involved but she still has that drive in the final third to provide the final touch for the goal. Swain is a special talent and one of the reasons why Surf is the team to beat in California in the 09 age group.