Texas High School Soccer: Teams to Watch – 5A Region 3
The UIL 5A Region 3 is full of under appreciated attacking play, but luckily is gaining more attention as the broadcasting of the game grows in the southern United States. This region consist of programs from Austin to the Gulf…
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Continue ReadingThe UIL 5A Region 3 is full of under appreciated attacking play, but luckily is gaining more attention as the broadcasting of the game grows in the southern United States. This region consist of programs from Austin to the Gulf Coast cities, and is right in the middle of three solid MLS programs- FC Dallas, Austin FC and Houston Dynamo. This amount of footballing influence, combined with soccer growing exponentially each year in the U.S., can only lead to major increases in program productivity. Keep your eyes on the lookout because there is definitely talent here in Texas 5A Region 3.
College Station High School
District Ranking: 1st
State Ranking: 65th
National Ranking: 270th
22/23 Record: 19-5-3 (0.76 Win %)
Predicted 23/24 Record: 17-6-4
College Station is a program that’s greatly overshadowed in a community that is obsessed with Texas A&M. With all the attention and media coverage going to the huge SEC program that is TAMU, it is understandable that sometimes athletes from the nearby community can slip through the cracks. However, when it comes to College Station High, the athletes are there to make a name for themselves.
After finishing 1st in district with a 19-5-3 record, and absolutely smashing teams along the way, College Station was able to take their success all the way to the Texas 5A Region 3 & 4 Regional Final where they were ultimately stopped. While the Cougars were not able to make it all the way to the dance, they should take nothing but pride from their journey. Having battled against some really good teams, the Cougars have really solidified themselves as a winning program. This coming season should be no different with the amount of talented prospects returning to them.
Player to Watch: Tyler Kenny & Ethan Riechman
Tyler Kenny
Tyler Kenny
Initial Thoughts:rnTyler Kenny is a player that is meant to compete at a national level. He’s a wonderful on the ball player but his off the ball movement is what I think his true strength is. He’s able to consistently present himself in the perfect opportunity to make an impact for his team. Given time to grow into a system, I believe that Kenny would be able to contribute on the roster of anyone looking to solidify their attack.
Size Profile:rnKenny isn’t a big guy by any means but he’s willing to play aggressive enough to make up for it. At 5’7 and 150lbs, Kenny looks like your average high school soccer player but he plays much larger. He’s willing to challenge for the hard 50/50 balls and put himself on the line to make the play necessary to win. He’s willing to fight for the ball in the air and battle for ground to get an open shot. As he ages and gets into a collegiate team that has the resources to run a legitimate strength program, he’ll develop into a much more physically capable athlete.
Skill Set:rnI consider Kenny’s ability to position himself in the right spot at the right time, and the vision to do so, as his greatest skill. While he has strength, decent pace and a good shot. His on and off the ball IQ is what sets him apart from your average player.
Achievements:rnDuring his junior season, Kenny was able to net a solid 17 goals and add on another 10 assist. This increase in goals and assist really shows how much he grew as a player from his first season on varsity during his sophomore year to his second year. What I consider to be more impressive is that he contributed on these 27 goals in only 26 matches for his program. This shows how crucial Kenny was to the success of his team and leaves us excited to see what he can do this upcoming season.
Final Thoughts:rnI really believe that Tyler Kenny is simply a winner. He’s an athlete that does what is necessary to win because losing isn’t in his DNA. If you’re a program looking to boost the form of any attacking positions on your roster, then Kenny is a name you should get to know real well. He can play anywhere on the pitch from the outside to the 8, 10 or 9. Missing out on a player like this is something that could haunt coaches.
Ethan Riechman
Ethan Riechman
Initial Thoughts:rnMy initial thoughts about Ethan Riechman is that he’s absolutely improving in his game as he matures and he’s willing to lay in down in order to win. I really enjoy his style of play, fast paced but composed and lethal when in the right position. He’d be a great pick up for any team looking for a consistent play maker.
Size Profile:rnRiechman has great reach with his tall frame and longer legs. Even at only 160lbs, his tall frame doesn’t look fragile. He’s an attacking player built like a defender and there’s nothing wrong with that because it works. He’s strong, lean and efficient on the ball. As he puts on another 10-15lbs before college, he’ll also gain even more strength and set himself to become a dominate force moving forward.
Skill Set:rnRiechman has great ability on the ball and is able to manipulate himself into tight spaces to get looks at the opposition. He is fantastic in the air, positioning himself exactly where he needs to be in order to get an effective header on net. I truly enjoy him on the wing, timing his runs and making arched movements into the box when the defense least expects it. Overall, from his ability to put the ball on target to the confidence to play the ball into dangerous spaces- there is no doubt that Riechman is a solid talent.
Achievements:rnRiechman made varsity his sophomore campaign and contributed 7 goals and 2 assist on the year. There were signs of improvement during his junior season, with Riechman adding 14 goals and 8 assist to his record. From what I’ve seen, Reichman has no issues with being the guy scoring or the guy creating the assist. At the end of the day he just wants to win and this is why I think he’ll have an even better senior year.
Final Thoughts:rnReichman is the perfect combination of talent, size and ambition. He’s willing to be the guy in the background doing what is best for the team and also has the confidence to be the guy leading the charge. He will score you goals in the air and take the ball inside to finish with a smooth ball to the back post. I see him playing off the wing a lot but I think his size and ability could see him finding success in the center of the pitch as well.
Pflugerville Connally
District Ranking: 1st
State Ranking: 11th
National Ranking: 54th
22/23 Record: 23-3-4 (0.83 Win %)
Predicted 23/24 Record: 21-4-5
Pflugerville Connally has found a lot of success in recent years, going from a middle of the pack program in need of a spark to a leader in their district and region. A lot of this stems from the talented 2024 class that Connally produced and was able to shape into actually contenders at the state level. I like Connally’s chances to win their district again this year due to amount of returning attacking talent that they have available to them, this attack is going to carry them past some hungry and harsh opposition but ultimately the questions they have in the back may come back to haunt them.
Player to Watch: Aaron Olalde
Aaron Olalde
Aaron Olalde
Initial Thoughts:rnAaron Olalde is a very intelligent player. Olalde plays like he is always a step ahead of his opposition and makes an effort to play the most efficacious yet aggressive ball. He’s not going to play it safe 100% of the time but he’s going to do what he thinks will do the most good for his team.
Size Profile:rnWhen it comes to size, Olalde isn’t overly unique. He’s average height and build for a high school level athlete but he does look strong on the ball. He’s roughly 5’7 and probably 150-160lbs but he carries himself like he thinks he’s an NFL running back. He’s confident in his frame and doesn’t seem to back down to any challenge.
Skill Set:rnAs I previously mentioned, Olalde has excellent vision and talent on the ball. He’ll dish out one-two’s and glide through the oppositions back line to take a solid shot on goal. He also has no issue with playing the through ball necessary to put the forwards on. I really see him as a 10 but I could see him playing as an 8 as well if needed. He has the technical ability and strength to even play a 9 if absolutely necessary.
Achievements:rnOlalde and his teammates are back to back district champions and were Texas State Regional Champions last year before coming up short against the ultra-talented Frisco Lone Star. Olalde contributed many goals and assist to the campaign last year and was a prominent piece to his teams success later in the season.
Final Thoughts:rnIf you could find the template for attacking midfielders, Olalde would surely be listed. He has the right size, technically ability and confidence to play that position perfectly. While of course he’s still growing as a player, there is nothing stopping him from being dominant in his position throughout the nation. With the right molding and leadership, Olalde will become a great college talent.