Texas High School Soccer: 6A Attackers to Watch
In our beautiful game there is awe and admiration for those that are capable of producing lightning from their feet. The ability to attack with strong technique and flair gives a player the ability to change the game within a…
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Continue ReadingIn our beautiful game there is awe and admiration for those that are capable of producing lightning from their feet. The ability to attack with strong technique and flair gives a player the ability to change the game within a single moment. In Texas’ UIL 6A classification there are countless highly gifted attackers that play with class and dedication to their craft, however there are also those that have the ability to demand action within their craft and create moments that are picturesque to those that love this game. These players deserve a spotlight dedicated to the recognition of their achievements so far in their careers.
From the crafty winger, to the powerful striker- creativity and skill comes in many forms within Texas high school soccer. The things that set these players apart isn’t just their ability to score goals, it is also their ability to control space and use their intellect within the game to create opportunity. So many players in the high school soccer scene are able to score every now and again, however the truly great attackers score consistently due to their demanding presence on the field. These players want the ball, their teammates want them to have the ball and they can ultimately change the game with a simple flick of the boot.
Osiramah Iyamah
Osiramah Iyamah
Initial Thoughts:rnOsi Iyamah is a tall, strong and technically gifted player with great footballing IQ. He is able to place himself into position to win the ball and control play. He can spread the field and distribute to create chances, or take the ball down the field himself and place it into the net. He is the perfect fit for any program looking to boost their attacking options.
Size Profile:rnAt 6’1 and nearing 200lbs, Osiramah Iyamah is a immovable force on the field. He demands attention when entering the attacking third and is nearly impossible to stop for many players at the high school level. He gives Allen the ability to win the ball in the air, play him to the feet or put him in multi-man situations.
Skill Set:rnIyamah has the technical ability needed to play at a high level. He is the perfect combination of both size and skill. He has the ability to take the ball in stride and distribute it exactly where he wants to, or use his ability to beat opposition players in his way. While some big men aren’t always the most technically sound, Iyamah isn’t one of them. I’d put the ball at his feet against any opposition and would trust him to use his skill to produce magic with it.
Attacking Preference:rnIyamah is a very diversified attacker. He can make wide runs to the touchline and then dive back toward the middle of the pitch, or he can chase down a through ball and beat defenders with pace. He has a firm, powerful shot and the ability to place the ball into a narrow space. I could see him playing as a target man at the next level, or even as a true striker if needed.
Final Thoughts:rnOsiramah Iyamah is a gift to the game when it comes to Texas high school soccer. He is fun to watch, energetic and overall a crack on the pitch. I expect him to top his 18 goal/18 assist campaign from last year and produce even more magic for the Allen Eagles.
Aaron Pondeca
Aaron Pondeca
Initial Thoughts:rnAaron Pondeca was one of the leading scorers during Marcus’ 2022/23 season. The exciting forward/midfielder was an integral piece of the Marcus team that made an unexpected run into the UIL playoffs last year. Pondeca was able to use his speed and positioning to bring some much needed attacking success to his side.
Size Profile:rnPondeca sits somewhere around 5’9 and 150lbs, and is shaped like a traditional soccer player. He isn’t going to overwhelm an opposing team with brute force, but he will use his crafty abilities to navigate his way through an opposing teams backline. With a little more development in the preseason, he should be able to put on the muscle to help him standout amongst his peers.
Skill Set:rnPondeca has an excellent first touch and possesses the ability to move with finesse inside the box to strike fast. Pondeca is especially skilled at finding a complicated second ball and turning it into something others may have not seen. Pondeca is gifted at using his high IQ and unquestionable skill to create opportunity and finish from any angle on the pitch.
Attacking Preference:rnAaron Pondeca has an unmistakable gift for controlling the ball out of the air and playing it sharply onto goal. His ability to cross into the path of an opposing defender on the attacking break and play a ball to the corner of the net is as consistent as it is beautiful. Another great aspect of Pondeca’s game is his stone-cold mentality under pressure. His ability to launch a penalty kick into the upper corner, or picking out the perfect angle on a free kick is without a doubt a joy to witness.
Final Thoughts:rnAaron Pondeca is a joy to watch play. Pondeca is an upcoming talent that is only going to get better over time. He plays larger than he is physically and commands the ball to his feet like a player with years of experience more than his own. I’d highly suggest any coaches or scouts out there take a look at his ability on the pitch, I expect him to have an outstanding season this coming year.
Francisco Rodriguez
Francisco Rodriguez
Initial Thoughts:rnFrancisco Rodriguez was a bit of an abnormality coming out of Seagoville High School. Rodriguez was one of the most prolific goal scorers in the state and has consistently been so since his freshman season. His dynamic ability on the ball gives puts him a step ahead of the defense and allows him to score as he pleases.
Size Profile:rnRodriguez is undersized at 5’5, however this should not discourage any potential suitors at the collegiate level. Rodriguez is a hard working and explosive player that makes up for his size with his speed and agility.
Skill Set:rnRodriguez uses his speed and dribbling ability to move through the opposition and attack their backline from various angles. He is able to make explosive diagonal runs and curve them at the perfect time to throw the defense off and end up with the perfect opportunity in front of net. This ability sets him apart and is one of the main reasons he was able to have back to back 20 goal seasons.
Attacking Preference:rnFrancisco Rodriguez uses his talent to make dynamic runs towards his opposition. When it comes to his skill, he is highly technical and has the ability to change the game in an instant. His ability to strike the ball from outside of the ball and place it into the top corner gives him the distance needed to expand the field. Since he’s a threat from all angles of the pitch, defenses don’t have the ability to drop and are hesitant to step. This leads to more space for Rodriguez to launch the ball towards net.
Final Thoughts:rnFrancisco Rodriguez may be a smaller player in stature but is larger than life in his ability to score goals. Whether Rodriguez is outside the box, inside the box, on the outside of the pitch or at the penalty mark; he will score countless goals if given the opportunity. He has had more goals scored than games played during the last two seasons and all signs point to an even more dominant year this upcoming campaign.
In the state of Texas’ UIL 6A classification, there are countless amazing young players. The growing levels of talent within Texas high school soccer is outstanding and is doing so much to change the game for the better. The players producing this talent are diverse, gifted and share a mutual goal of finding success for their programs. Players like Francisco Rodriguez, Aaron Pondeca, and Osi Iyamah are the tip of spear that is Texas high school soccer. They train tirelessly to be the player to take their teams to new heights, and want nothing more than to hold silverware at the end of each campaign. When a team finds themselves in the hard minutes at the end of a match, where legs are tired and the pressure is building, these are the players that will step up to the occasion.