Standouts from the De La Salle Showcase
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De La Salle High held its annual Showcase, and as usual, some of the top teams in Northern California, and from all over the state, participated. This year’s version had 14 top teams from California, including teams from the East…
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Continue ReadingDe La Salle High held its annual Showcase, and as usual, some of the top teams in Northern California, and from all over the state, participated. This year’s version had 14 top teams from California, including teams from the East Bay, North Bay, South Bay and Southern California. Here are some players that stood out this past weekend.
Jayden Fitzgerald Boes, Striker, Bishop O’Dowd, Class of 2026
Only a sophomore, Fitzgerald Boes was a force up top. He has great size, showed great speed and is great with both feet. He kept the Whitney defense on their toes, and continued to work hard until he was able to use his body and draw the foul that led to the equalizing PK for the Dragons.
Jamison Clarke Jamison Clarke D De La Salle | 2024 CA , Central Defender, De La Salle, Class of 2024
Clarke was a rock for the host Spartans as he played every minute of both games, and was responsible for what was essentially two shutouts, as a long Warren throw in that appeared to have been an own goal was the only score De La Salle allowed. Clarke was organized and composed, and made good, strong decisions.
David Garcia, Keeper, Cathedral, Class of 2024
Garcia is one of the captains for the Phantoms and is the leader between the sticks they need. He has kept two clean sheets this season, including one in the Showcase, doing so against a good side in Richmond, which is a team that has the ability to score in bunches.
Jack Gill, Central Midfielder, Monte Vista, Class of 2024
Gill is a two-way player who patrols the midfield for Monte Vista. He has a fabulous work rate as he is able to cut off passing lanes, gain control of the ball and start the attack. He is integral to the team’s stingy defense as well as being able to help push forward because he is an excellent passer of the ball and has a great free kick.
Colin Hunter, Defender/Midfielder, Las Lomas, Class of 2024
Hunter started the Showcase at left back, but showed his versatility by moving up to the midfield in the win against Folsom. Hunter can also play as the holding mid, and has the skills to join the attack from the deeper position. He scored a goal, assisted on another as he showed the ability to move the ball well and was strong defensively.
Blaisen Kehr, Forward, Sequoia, Class of 2026
Kehr played relentlessly in the attack and worked hard in tracking back during Sequoia’s Showcase match. Kehr is just a sophomore, but he is a goal waiting to happen. The goal scored in the Showcase was because he got into the box and drew a penalty.
Sean Kim, Central Defender, Branham, Class of 2024
Kim returns as one of the better defenders in the Central Coast Section, and did a good job shutting down a DLS attack as it was a scoreless match until the final 10 or so minutes. He’s not the biggest center back, but holds his own against physical attacking players, and reads the game well, which allows him to thwart attacks. Branham was stretched thin at keeper, so Kim’s organization and defensive prowess were key.
Dane Knudsen, Midfielder, Marin Academy, Class of 2024
Knudsen was solid all weekend for the Wildcats, being a disruptive midfield force and winning balls. He is intelligent, using pockets of space to float into and drag defenders in order to help in the build up. He’s excellent on the ball, he’s good at creating space for others, and shows a dynamic ability on both ends of the pitch.
Beau Lopez Beau Lopez D CA , Central Defender, Monte Vista, Class of 2024
Lopez is a lock down center back who can cover the top scorer for an opponent, both on the ground and in the air. He has the ability to read the game well, and is very tenacious when he needs to make a tackle, and he almost always gets it right. He has the ability to play a through ball, showing his ability to help the Mustangs build an attack from the back.
Odin Miller, Midfielder/Defender, Las Lomas, Class of 2024
Miller had to move positions for the Knights due to injury, showing how versatile he can be. He shifted from the No. 6 spot to being a center back. He scored a goal from his defensive position in the second half, in addition to anchoring a back line that had to replace two of the four backs.
Samuel Mireles, Midfielder, Warren-Downey, Class of 2024
Mireles is a wide player in the midfield, playing on the right side, and brings a creative element to the team with his feet and long throw. He also brought energy and enthusiasm the entire weekend.
Giovanni Moreno, Midfielder, Cathedral, Class of 2024
Moreno was an offensive force against Archbishop Mitty, one of the top teams in all of Northern California, helping the Phantoms to a draw. He scored on a set piece for the first goal and then converted from the spot on the second goal. He was a threat to the back lines of Mitty and Richmond both days.
Gustavo Ramirez, Central Defender, Warren-Downey, Class of 2024
Ramirez played every minute of the two games in the Showcase and displayed his defending prowess. He won 1v1 situations consistently and also did a good job of distributing the ball.
Eneko Rios, Midfielder, Branham, Class of 2024
Rios made his impact felt by holding the ball well and creating scoring chances against a very athletic De La Salle team, nearly scoring late in the game. He’s a smaller player, but battles against larger players in the midfield. He is very technically gifted and can adapt well to the speed of the game, and athleticism of his opponent.
Tre Roach, Forward, De La Salle, Class of 2024
Roach was involved in two of the three goals against Branham, and was the best player for the Spartans in that match. He played on the right side of the front line, and showed great speed to cut inside and use his left foot to swerve the ball in to the net from just outside the area. He showed great technical skills on the second goal, dribbling to the end line with his right foot and cutting the ball across the box to set it up.
Esau Sullivan, Forward, Cathedral, Class of 2024
Sullivan is a leader for Cathedral, a prominent member of the lineup and can score goals to go with his leadership quality. He was involved in both goals against Richmond on day two, scoring the first and then creating the second one by drawing the penalty. Sullivan is a creative, crafty player.
Jake Tyberg Jake Tyberg 6'2" | D Whitney | 2024 CA , Midfielder, Whitney, Class of 2024
Tyberg is a center back, but played midfield with Whitney short-handed during the weekend. He showed great poise, he showed he can manage the game well from the middle of the park, showing a quickness and ability to play with both feet that should earn him looks from college scouts.
Aaron Villafuerte, Central Defender, Sequoia, Class of 2025
Villafuerte is a junior for Sequoia, and has been starting on varsity since he was a freshman. He is a force in the air, and can distribute excellently from the back line. He acts as an anchor for the defense, and also has the foot skills to be the team’s penalty taker, scoring their goal from the spot.
Malcolm Zalayet Malcolm Zalayet F #142 Nation CA , Striker, Marin Academy, Class of 2024
The Cal commit was a wrecking ball against Whitney, scoring four goals, and getting an assist in a 6-1 win. He is a striker that does it all well. He reads the game well, uses space properly and frees himself up and sets up his teammates. He shows great spatial awareness and knows when to play the ball quickly or be patient and hold it up. He has a great maturity about him, as well as good size and speed.