Boys Soccer All-America Game Best XI

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. -- A pair of Indiana players positioned at opposite ends of the field helped the West extend its dominance with a 5-2 victory over the East in the 13th annual High School All-America Boys Soccer Game at Wando High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='157046' first='Cole' last='Thompson'] of Noblesville (Ind.) held the East at bay in the first half, Anelson Azard, from Indianapolis Pike (Ind.), scored a pair of sensational goals early in the second half to put the West in complete control. The West is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings and owns the overall series edge 8-3-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Azard earned West MVP honors for his two-goal performance, which gave the West 3-1 and 4-1 leads just a minute apart in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After weathering a strong start by other East, the West struck first when [player_tooltip player_id='156283' first='Vitor' last='Geromel']'s shot was redirected past the keeper on a header by Dominic Bartoni in the 15th minute. Ethan Otto scored on an assist from Caden Wait in the 27th minute to make it 2-0. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right before the half, Abou Cherif scored on an assist from Anthony Bugliari, trimming the West lead to 2-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Azard's goals came in the 58th and 59th minutes. First, he back-heeled a pass from Aron Martinez for a 3-1 lead. A minute later, Azard powered a shot past the East keeper to make it 4-1. Martinez then scored in the 65th minute on an assist from Bartoni as the West lead grew to 5-1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sachiel Ming, who earned East MVP honors, scored in the 68th minute, assisted by Matt Lynch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are the Best XI, as nominated by the coaches: &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GOALKEEPER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='157046' first='Cole' last='Thompson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Noblesville (IN)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 2023 Indiana State Soccer Player of the Year delivered an all-star performance on the highest possible stage. He show quick reflexes and made a number of saves, even with his feet, to help the West toward a victory. Thompson played the first half in goal and turned away several East chances as the West built a 2-0 lead.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657780d6d2512"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["47406"],"_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":"Gaydosh was probably the most dominating defender at the event. The Indiana commit from Centerville (Ohio) was a lock-down defender and took control to organize the back. He recovers well, and, as one coach put it, u0022He's big time.u0022","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["12957"],"_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":"Holman is a natural leader who was srtong on his challenges and positioning. He is a Syracuse commit from Phillips Academy (Mass.).","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["148822"],"_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":"Ming started as a left back but moved to the wing where he scored one of the East's two goals. He's generally an attacking player, but on this day, with so many weapons, he played as a left back and coaches appreciated his willingness to help whereever needed. His combo play at the back and scoring a goal earned Ming the East MVP honors.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657780d6d2671"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MIDFIELDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["13660"],"_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":"The Syracuse commit from Woodstock Academy (Conn.) was great on the ball and played simple. He was a true holding No. 6.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["156283"],"_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":"Geromel made fantastic runs out of the midfield and really was a handful for the East. He set up the first goal when his shot was redirected into the net. Coaches praised his ability to control the midfield. Geromel, from Maize South (Kan.), is committed to Clemson.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["45762"],"_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":"Jones might have been the most exciting player on the field. He megged a defender at one point and he created several opportunities for the East. He even took corners for the East squad. He displayed the individual skills that would be expected for a player heading to a program like North Carolina.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Aron Martinez","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Dodge City (KS)","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Martinez played defense in the first half and midfield in the second half, and he was effective in both roles. He did a solid job locking up Milton Jones when he was asked to defend. Martinez also made a number of quality left-footed services into the box, one led to Azard's first goal. He also scored a goal to cap the scoring for the West team.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["143218"],"_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":"This box-to-box midfielder really helped the West lock up the East mids. Poppell, who was the Ohio Division I Player of the Year after leading Archbishop Moeller to a state runner-up finish, is committed to Air Force.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657780d6d296a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FORWARDS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Anelson Azard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Indianapolis Pike (IN)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Azard was probably the find of the weekend. This uncommitted senior has great vision and was very dangerous. His two goals one minute apart in the second half swung the game in the West's favor. He's got great mobility and he's very strong with the ball. Azard was named the West MVP.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["157018"],"_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":"Roskos was the hardest-working player on the field. The Bucknell commit from Delran (N.J.) had dangerous speed and athleticism, which stood out even among a field of superstars.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657780d6d2b0f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OTHER TOP PERFORMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Position, Name, High School (State), College Commitment)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M/F Dominic Bartoni, Christian Brothers (Mo.), uncommitted</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D Ryan Berghauer, Brookfield East (Wis.), Wisconsin-Milwaukee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Anthony Bugliari, Pingry School (N.J.), undecided</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Easton Bogard, Oak Park &amp; River Forest (Ill.), Indiana</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Abou Cherif, Father Judge (Pa.), undecided</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DM [player_tooltip player_id='142759' first='Mason' last='Cooper'], Archbishop Moeller (Ohio), Xavier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D Sam DeLong, Olathe West (Kan.), Drake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Nicholas Dwamena, Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.), Dickinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Teddy Franke, Rockhurst Jesuit (Mo.), undecided</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D/F Noah Handzel, Cathedral Prep (Pa.), undecided</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Eddie Krupski, Seton Hall Prep (N.J.), Rutgers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Grant Locker, St. Louis University High (Mo.), undecided</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Matthew Lynch, Pennington School (N.J.), undecided</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D Patrick Weir, Ramsey (N.J.), UPenn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->