Who is the best 2027 forward in Illinois?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for the Illinois 2027 class came out this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/11/updated-2027-illinois-girl-rankings/">the full rankings here.</a> Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the PrepSoccer ranking process</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the themes at the top of the rankings is the amount of talent in goal and defense in this class. However, there are some forwards who could be in the mix for the top spot in the state rankings in the future. Below is a scouting report on some of the best attacking talent in Illinois' 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["153174"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eLambert is a left winger on the Chicago Inter 09 ECNL team. She is an excellent attacker. Good vision, skillful on the ball, and pace to create separation from defenders. Lambert has the skillset to be a top player in the region for her position. She does show a strong preference to her left foot but she is so good with her left foot that defenders still have a lot of trouble stopping her. She hits a wonderful cross and can finish from within 30 yards with her ball-striking ability. Lambert's game-breaking ability from the wing is rare in this class and she's shown that this season in the ECNL. The aspect of her game that stands out from her peers is her conviction. When she receives the ball, she's assured of her next week. There's rarely any hesitation in her game. When the opportunity is on, she gets down hill in a hurry, and that can be extremely difficult to defend.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["22150"],"_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=u0022p2u0022u003eKontuly is a forward on the Eclipse Select 09 ECNL team. She is a center forward for her club side. She has been identified by US Soccer as a top player in the region and been called into Talent ID Center events in the past. She is a skillful target forward who has the full arsenal for the position. She can play with her back to the goal and provide combination play for her teammates. She can also spin off defenders and get in on goal in a hurry. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of her game is how she defends. She has a hungry mindset and she seems to always be looking for another opportunity to score or setup a goal for her team so there is no off-switch when Kontuly is on the field. She is a top center forward in this class from Illinois.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["22083"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eDiedrich is a forward/midfielder on the Eclipse Select 09 ECNL team. She plays on the wing or attacking midfielder for her club team. Based on ECNL game film, I've mainly seen her play on the wing, but there have been some games this season when she slots in as an attacking midfielder and she is fantastic in that role. Diedrich is clever in her movement and passing. She has excellent vision and quickly finds her teammates. She has great game awareness and looks fully capable of making an impact when the game is played at a faster pace. She has a lethal right foot and has a knack for pouncing on balls around the box. Diedrich has been part of the US Youth National Talent ID Centers for the region in the past. It's clear she is highly regarded by the scouts in the region and could have the highest potential among field players in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["153305"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eLePage is a forward on the Rockford Raptors 09 ECNL team. She plays on the wing for her club team. LePage is a talented, powerful dribbler. She has pace to get behind the defense and makes the intelligent runs to play off the shoulder of the last defense. LePage has made a few runs this season where she withstood a few tackles, kept her balance, and then provide either the cross or the finish. The potential she's shown this season is incredibly exciting as an attacking talent from the 2027 class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["140105"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eJordan is a forward on the Evolution 08 ECNL RL team. She plays on the wing, but could also feature in a central position. She is part of the 09 Illinois ODP team as well. Jordan is being overlooked by scouts. She is having an outrageous season in ECNL on the most dominant team in the RL in the conference by far. She lines up on the right wing, but she is making an impact all over the field. She is good in the tackle - a lot of lower body strength - and has quick feet to navigate out of tight spaces. She has this quick-burst first step that leaves defenders in her dust often. I think her player profile might get a lot of attention from scouts looking for attacking wing backs, but she's been excellent in the final third so it's going to be a tough sell to move her out of the winger role even though she might be the best defender among players in that position in this class. The effort level jumps off the screen from game film but it's the skill and final product that make Jordan one of the best in the state in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["150771"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eSacek is a midfielder/forward for Galaxy GA 09. She plays on the wing or as an attacking midfielder. Sacek has been part of the US Soccer Talent ID Center events in the past. She is a impactful attacking talent who previously played for Evolution SC. She is a skillful dribbler with either foot. She is right footed, but she can go at a defender with either foot. She has great vision and can provide the key pass in the final third. I've seen her play as the center forward. I think she's best on the wing when she can face the goal and run at defenders. Her skill on the ball is outstanding and her ability to cut on a dime really stands out. She is a good finisher, and does well getting on the end of crosses, but she's not the best poacher from this class. She stars more as a provider.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654968af865a9"} /-->