Rankings Preview: First Look at the Top Five from CA’s 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer State Rankings for California's 2027 class are being released next week. Prior to the unveiling of the full list, PrepSoccer is giving a preview of the top ranked players in the class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out more info on our rankings process here. Check back next week for the full California class rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a common thread among the players highly ranked in this class, they all played in the MLS Next Cup U15 playoffs during the summer. Part of it is a scouting process of PrepSoccer having scouts at that event, and the other part is those clubs are doing a better job at identifying top talents early on and giving them opportunities against older competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146447"],"_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":"Albert was a standout for LA Galaxy U15 while playing up an age group during the postseason run. Despite the age difference, Albert looked the part for Galaxy. He is a talented attacking player with his attributes really shining when he is on the ball. He has a good first touch and can operate in traffic. He lined up on the wing for Galaxy in the clash against LAFC, but he can play as an attacking midfielder as well. Smooth on the ball, Albert created a number of chances with his passing and dribbling. He looks like one of the top prospects coming out of the Galaxy academy.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNuBP7pSimou0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eLink to highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f78b7e94372"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["80833"],"_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":"Rosic is a late 2008 birthday. Despite being one of the youngest players in the 08 age group, he's established himself as one of the best on the San Jose Earthquakes academy. The six-foot tall midfielder is a dominant force in the center of the field. Strong in the tackle, quick in transition, and rarely makes a mistake in possession, Rosic has all of the trademarks of a center midfielder who can play at the professional level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f78b7e94402"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzPixOvuKUk","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=tzPixOvuKUk </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146424"],"_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":"Chavez, an 09, spent most of the season playing up with the 08s. Many of his 09 teammates joined him on the 08 team during the postseason. He is a left-footed midfielder who is an excellent dribbler and creative playmaker. Chavez is clearly highly rated at LAFC as the club pushed him up an age group early on in his development. If he continues to improve his craft, the sky is the limit for the young standout.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["146423"],"_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":"Espy plays as the left center back for LAFC U15 MLS Next team. He has been identified as one of the top players in the region by US Soccer scouts and took part in a Youth National Team camp earlier this year. He plays on the left side, but he is right footed. He is good in the possession and does well in the pass in finding targets and playing to the correct foot. Defensively, he moves his feet well and gets his body between the attacker and the goal. He is great at reading the cross and adjusting his level to intercept cut-back passes. Espy is a top talent for his position and one of the best in California.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["146794"],"_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":"Thomas is a new arrival to LAFC. He played for LAFC So Cal (previously Real So Cal) last season where he was named to the Boys ECNL All-American U15 Team. He was a dominant player at that level and now faces a new challenge with an MLS Academy. Thomas also had a stellar showing with the US Club Soccer id2 program during the trip to England earlier this year. Scoring four goals in the first three games of the trip. Thomas previously played as an center midfielder at the club. He stood out on the club field with his bleached hair and lightning quick feet. Thomas will be one to watch this season in MLS Next.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f78b7e94523"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->