Texas High School Soccer: 2024 Midfield Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Texas high school soccer season is finally underway and there is an extensive number of midfielders who are looking to make a name for themselves this season. These players have put in the work all off season and refined their craft to be the best versions of themselves possible. The players within the class of 2024 understand that this is their last chance to get their name out to scouts and coaches looking to build up their rosters. With it all put out on the line, these midfielders have nothing to lose and everything to gain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following players are some of the most promising players coming out of the 2024 class. These midfielders use their intelligence and vision within the game to lift their teams to new heights. It's not just assist and goals that these players possess, but also flair and precision passing. These players expand the pitch for their teams and do their duties when in the lineup. Many of them are still learning the game and will only improve over time, some of them have played at every level from recreational to division I club. Nevertheless, all of these players have one goal in mind- to win state championships with their peers.</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":"Angel Cruz","_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":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oak Cliff Family Academy","_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":"u003cstrongu003eInitial Thoughts:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMy first thoughts of Angel Cruz is that he is consistently involved in the play of his team. He flows through the pitch and seems to be wherever he needs to be. Whether he's on the break towards goal or turning play negative to regroup, Cruz does well to control the tempo. Another gift that Cruz possesses is excellent understanding of the half space within play. Cruz utilizes the half spaces to create and open passing lanes to connect his team on their transition.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cstrongu003eSize Profile:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCruz is relatively small at 5'4 and 145 lbs, however he plays much larger. Cruz uses his frame to weave in and out of defenders in order to catch angles. I don't mind Cruz's smaller stature because of the fact that he uses his body well to hold off the opposition. While Cruz would never play striker or center back at a high level, he very easily could be an extremely dangerous midfielder or winger.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cstrongu003eSkill Set:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCruz uses his speed and technical ability to attack the touchline and bring the ball down the pitch. Once he gets to the byline he'll either cut in to find the shot or send a diagonal pass towards his teammates. Cruz is able to keep the ball close and consistently use his skill to break defensive lines and find space.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cstrongu003eAttacking Preference:u003c/strongu003ernrnCruz prefers to find the ball at his feet during transition and likes to utilize quick passes to open up his teammates. Once his team finds an overload, Cruz distributes the ball effectively and capitalizes on the opposing team's mistakes. Cruz doesn't mind getting high into his teams attack and finding himself in front of goal. If the u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2MmxmZu0022u003eopportunity arisesu003c/au003e, Cruz will definitely have a go. Scoring 27 goals and adding 21 assists doesn't happen in Texas high school soccer without a player that is proactive getting heavily involved.rnrnu003cstrongu003eFinal Thoughts:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eUltimately, Angel Cruz is an underrated midfielder within an extremely talented Texas high school soccer class. It's unfortunate that he hasn't received more attention coming off a junior year in which he scored 27 goals and had 21 assists in only 25 matches played. Some will argue that Cruz played inferior competition, however it is very apparent that the talent is there. I expect Cruz to have an even better senior season.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Kevin Garcia","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Columbia High School","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cbu003eInitial Thoughts:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGarcia has been named District 26-4A Most Valuable Player for two consecutive years. Garcia's MVP awards may in themselves be impressive, however his 57 goals within his two seasons on varsity do more to show his contribution to his team's success. Garcia's attacking contribution puts him in the category as one of the best midfielders in all of Texas high school soccer.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eSize Profile:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKevin Garcia is another smaller midfielder, coming in at 5'5 and around 150 lbs. Even within a smaller frame, Garcia does a lot to make himself seem larger on the field. He has a great deal of lower body strength and maneuvers himself well on the pitch. It's clear that Garcia has dominated during his time in Texas high school soccer and I don't see any reason to question his size. Garcia is strong, swift and intelligent on the ball.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eSkill Set:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKevin Garcia is very calm under pressure. His ability to bring the ball down out of the air and move forward is extremely strong. Garcia does well to get the ball in the middle of the pitch before lifting his head and sending a screamer towards the net. Garcia is also very calm on set pieces and seems to know what he wants to do with the ball before he even steps towards it. I think that Garcia's first touch into space is another characteristic that truly gives him an upper hand. This touch is critical towards Garcia's ability to get into space and find his teammates' attacking run.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eAttacking Preference:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGarcia doesn't mind having his back towards the goal, he'll gladly take a negative step before quickly turning and laying the ball into the upper corner of the net. When Garcia gets the ball to his feet he turns into space and plays quick passes towards his teammates. Once he releases the ball, Garcia is already moving into the next passing lane to receive it back. By establishing multiple passing lanes Garcia does well to help his team transition up and down the pitch.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eFinal Thoughts:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKevin Garcia has accomplished so much in his short varsity career. Two MVP's, a captaincy and over 50 goals in two seasons is something that most players dream of. As if he's not already a midfield standout, it's hard to imagine that Garcia won't top his previous two seasons and do even better this year. Kevin Garcia is a real talent within Texas high school soccer, given the opportunity there is no reason why he cannot have another spectacular season. Garcia has the talent, intelligence and ability to pave his own path within the game.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":157512,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Tyler Kenny","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"College Station High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Cavalry 05 Black","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cbu003eInitial Thoughts:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTyler Kenny excels when bringing the ball towards the touchline and then using his speed to escape down the outside. Once behind the defense, Kenny uses his technical ability to play a lateral ball towards his on running teammates. Kenny also works well when cutting towards the inside of the pitch, frequently getting shots off towards the net. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eSize Profile:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKenny is a decently sized player at 5'7 and 150 lbs. He uses his body well, but even if he's a little smaller it doesn't matter, Kenny's speed and agility puts him well above his peers. He flies through the opposition's backline and can change direction easily. He doesn't need to be the biggest or strongest in order to become the most dangerous player on the pitch. When Kenny gets the ball in space, he easily has every opportunity to score. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eSkill Set:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTyler Kenny's most dangerous attribute is easily his speed and quick shooting ability. Kenny has the ability to turn on a dime and has the touch needed to push the ball forward into space before shooting. Whether it's the ability u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KicNCu0022u003eto pick a teammate out from a set piece, the follow-up finish from a teammates shot or simply taking on the opposition aloneu003c/au003e; Kenny is dangerous from anywhere he wants to be.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eAttacking Preference:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKenny u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2KicNXu0022u003edrifts wide to receive the ballu003c/au003e on a lot of his team's plays in order to spread the field and create attacking opportunities. u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2L6rnau0022u003eThese runsu003c/au003e give his teammates a chance to pull defenders out of position and find themselves open in the center of the pitch. When attacking from within, Kenny cuts in and out of defenders while connecting quick passes and looks for the corners of the net. Kenny is highly effective in tight spaces and is very consistent with hitting the far reaches of the net.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eFinal Thoughts:u003c/bu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTyler Kenny is an attacking standout player that is ready for the next level. His touch, finishing ability and athleticism puts him in the top tier of players within Texas high school soccer. He would have no issues fitting in and making a difference for a collegiate program needing some attacking quality in the upcoming season. Having scored 17 goals during his junior year, Kenny has already proven that he can hold his own against the best of his peers. Kenny's ability to stretch the field and u003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2L6rJYu0022u003eburn defendersu003c/au003e is outstanding and I truly think that his senior season will be his best. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6581381a1339c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Texas high school soccer class is full of so many outstanding players. One group that deserves extra recognition whenever one discusses the 2024 standouts are the midfielders. These midfield standouts have worked for years on perfecting their craft in order to succeed at the highest levels. When given the opportunity to express themselves on the pitch, the passing and finishing ability of these midfielders is next level. They are truly doing all that they can in order to boost their teams chances of winning and getting themselves the opportunity to play at the next level. The midfield group in the Texas high school soccer class of 2024 should be expected to put up both numbers and results that will leave spectators in awe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->