Scouting Ohio’s Future Stars: Top Boys Soccer Players of 2027

<!-- 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 Prep Soccer state rankings for the Ohio class of 2027 was released this week. Check out the full list of the rankings here. Learn more <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">about our rankings process here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ohio freshman group is slowly starting to make their mark both at a state and a national level. The two MLS Academies lead the way in this group. They've been very active in scouting the state and across the nation. They're both well represented on this ranking - and with a couple of looking to be on the knock on the door of the Youth National Team call-ups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["166903"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eKelley is a goalkeeper on Cincinnati United Premier. He is part of the US ODP National Team. The shot-stopper stands out from this class for his height. At already over six-feet tall, he's one of the tallest prospects in this class. Kelly is more than just his physical attributes. He has excellent technical foundation with his footwork. He excels with his distribution as well. Kelley's physical build will attract the interest of scouts, but his dedicated approach to improving his craft will earn him looks as one of the best goalkeepers in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f2174d7d65c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_JLEB-NrFY","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_JLEB-NrFY </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["165771"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eMendoza is a forward on Columbus Crew U15 MLS Next. He is part of the Mexico Youth National Team. He plays in the center of the forwtion. He can play as an attacking midfielder or as a back-to-the-goal striker. He's skillful, strong on the ball, and intelligent in his movement. He lacks a bit of the ruthless finisher mentality that would make him a top prospect on a national level. It could mean that he ends up moving a level back and plays more as an attacking midfielder in the future or an inverted winger. He's been very successful in MLS Next this season - and should be a top prospect for the future from this group.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["59888"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eForfor has been a highly regarded prospect for some time. The winger previously played for Minnesota United and FC United (Iowa). He recently joined Columbus Crew. He's left footed, which already makes him a top prospect in many regards. Combined with his skill and power, he has the tools to be an elite wide attacking player. He has at least one moment per game that leaves your jaw on the floor. He looked like he was playing a more defensive role for Crew during the MLS Next event in December, which might be an indication of how they view him as a professional prospect.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["161090"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eDinoto is a defender for Columbus Crew U15 MLS Next. He is a center back, but he likes to join the attack and step up a level. Crew plays through him to break pressure so there are times when he looks like a defensive midfielder. Dinoto's comfort on the ball makes him a top prospect at the center of the defense. He could improve on his control of the ball while crowded out in the midfield. He will need that aspect of his game to be sharper in the future. Defensively, he reads the game well and tends to time his tackles well. He gets his foot on a lot of passes that deflect them away from their intended targets. He's a weapon on set pieces and has scored some goals this season in MLS Next play. Dinoto is a valuable piece for Crew and one of the best defenders in this age group in the country.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["161082"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eBonos is a defender on Crew U15 MLS Next. He's a versatile player though so I could envision him filling in at a number of roles. He's from Florida, but joined the MLS Academy in July. The defensive playmaker shines in his role. He played as a right center back in a back-three that sometimes looked like five during the MLS Next event. When he was able to get forward, he was silky smooth on the ball and delivered a few key passes. Bonos is one to watch from this group for his high upside. He plays with a lot of confidence.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["166783"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eZalewski is a midfielder on Crew U15 MLS Next. He previously played for Vardar (Michigan) in MLS Next. I believe he joined Crew recently. He's been outstanding in recent games for his new team. Zalewski was one of the best players in the win over FC Cincinnati. He set the tone with the goal off the opening kick off as Crew caught the opposing goalkeeper off the line and hit an accurate strike from the kick off. Zalewski was also involved in the other goals as a facilitator. His accurate passing and vision really helped his side create chances against the fellow MLS academy.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["161087"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eCardenas is a forward on the FC Cincinnati U15 MLS Next team. He previously played for Olympiacos Soccer Club in New York. He's been on fire at the start of 2024 with regular contributions in goals or assists. He's got a lot of the qualities that scouts look for from a forward. He's strong on the ball, he keeps good control of it under pressure, and he is a lethal finisher around the box. He has a good frame that works well when his side uses him as a target to break pressure. His two-goal performance against Midwest United in late February was a good showcase of his quality. He's been part of the US Soccer Talent ID events in the past and should continue to be on the radar for YNT call-ups.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["161095"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMalilo is a winger on the FC Cincinnati U15 MLS Next team. He has been part of US Soccer Talent ID Center events in the past. Malilo is a terrific player. He is a difference-maker for his club team. He is a vocal leader on the field and does put an emphasis on demanding more from his teammates. He leads by example though, and he usually provides those big-time plays during decisive moments in games. He has high upside as a winger because of his skill on the ball, but also he reads the game and anticipates the next play better than most of his peers. He's smart about when he gambles to get forward and he creates those little advantages in those moments. He will need to improve defensively for the next level, but there is plenty of quality there to suggest he will be one to watch on the professional pathway in the near future.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f2174d7d80a"} /-->