Rankings Analysis: Top 2027 Midfielders from Northern California

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first PrepSoccer subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer player state rankings for California's 2027 class were released this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/california/rankings/girls/2027-rankings/">the full rankings here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/09/behind-the-scenes-the-prepsoccer-2027-state-rankings/">the ranking process for this class here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legends FC standout and US Youth National Team player [player_tooltip player_id='82522' first='Mia' last='Corona'] is the top ranked player in this class and the No. 1 midfielder. Corona was featured in our <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/09/rankings-preview-top-six-from-californias-2027-class/">preview rankings article last week. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on some of the midfielders to know from Northern California in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111184"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMcCarthy plays as the defensive midfielder for the De Anza Force 09 team. She is a two-way player. She takes just as much pride in her defense as she does in possession. Defensively, she is a good option. She can get her hips square at times and lets the attacking player dictate which direction to go, but she is a willing worker and recovers in every instance. On the ball, she has good vision and can play out of pressure. She has quick feet and does well in tight spaces. She can rush decisions at times, but she is a key part of the De Anza playing style that often looks to unlock the defense with a short-short-long sequence.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["111109"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKhoury is the best player in the rankings who has not been part of the Youth National Team picture. She's better than players who have been to multiple ID events - both now and based on her projected level. Excellent first touch, smart in her tactical approach, and a competitive pitbull, Khoury has the tools to be a No. 6 at the top level. She does have a preference to look for the big pass when a better percentage connection is available. At this age level, the long pass works against defenders who might not have the tactical intelligence yet. In the future, it's a harder pass to make but Khoury deserves the benefit because those passes are so effective now. She is also a dominant in aerial duels and does well in keeping possession when winning 50/50 duels.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["111241"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Ferraro is an 09 who plays up an age group. She is a starting midfielder with the San Juan 08 ECNL team. She has been part of the US Youth National Teams as well as the ID2 Tour. She is a creative player who will use a variety of passes to beat the opposition. There is a highlight out there of her using the outside of her foot to hit a pass to split the defense and send in the striker on goal from the ECNL playoffs. She's scored some great goals too - a half volley from 40 yards out into the upper corner of the net. A silky smooth drop of the shoulder body feint to create space inside the 18-yard box and then bury the shot into the net. Ferraro can play the 10, 8, or 6, which probably means she is going to be a No. 8 at the highest level. The versatility and do-it-all nature of her player profile make it a standout, but it's the way she moves on the field that makes her a top player in this class. She sees the game in a different way than most youth players. She is not all flash. She has a competitive streak and will make just as many impact plays on defense as well.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["111090"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKaefer is a top defensive midfielder in this class. The MVLA 09 standout plays one of the most important roles for that team. She has an excellent first touch and her teammates feel comfortable playing into her feet in any situation. She is a 360 player - in the sense that she is not predictable in that she will only play the way she is facing. She is open to stepping on the ball and scanning every option on the field to find the best pass to keep possession for her side. Kaefer could be more assertive on the field and really do more to dictate the game. There are plenty of times when she is the best player on the field, and she just needs to take that next step in string together more key passes in the key moments to really put her signature on the game.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64fca8a78e31b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbbiQoMxGR4","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbbiQoMxGR4 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111189"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eGaruda is one of the midfielders on the Pleasanton Rage side. As far as I can tell, she hasn't been a part of the Cal North ODP team, but she has the quality to be in consideration for that group. Her activity and physical profile jump off the screen from game film. She's a high work-rate player, willing to chase down every 50/50 ball in the center of the field. She is quick to start the attack and always looking to find an attacker with a pass to break the defense. She is excellent in the press and does well in getting her body in passing lanes to disrupt the opposition.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["147325"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMcDowell is a box-to-box or attacking midfielder. She plays with a frantic pace, but she is always in control. The pace of play is always pushing the opposition into an uncomfortable speed. It shows McDowell is ready to jump up a level. The key to her play is that even though it's quick, she's making decisions before the ball is at her feet. She clearly plays a lot of two-touch soccer in training and it shows on game film. She's one to watch as she gets more exposure this season in the ECNL.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p3u0022u003eu003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["147318"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003ePerry is one of the captain's on the Mustang SC 09 ECNL team. She is a box-to-box midfielder. She does not hide from the ball. She is always moving to be an option for a teammate. She is quick in her decision-making and only uses a couple of touches on the ball. She is a good facilitator for her club team. She's been part of the Cal North and Region IV ODP teams.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64fcc3e991ab3"} /-->