Top 2025 midfielders in California
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The midfield talent pool is rich with players who don’t graduate for over a year from now, as these five players are already featuring for first-team USL sides, playing MLS Next at a high level and are committed to top-end…
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Continue ReadingThe midfield talent pool is rich with players who don’t graduate for over a year from now, as these five players are already featuring for first-team USL sides, playing MLS Next at a high level and are committed to top-end Division I programs. These are five, of many, very talented midfielders in California.
Arteaga is a talented left-footed player who can play as a wide midfielder or a No. 11. He is tall and lean, and very graceful with the ball at his feet. He is quick and nimble, making defenders miss and he’s excellent about pushing up the left side and occupying space when the moment calls for it. He has a powerful shot, but is unselfish as well.
Bedolla is quick and athletic. The No. 10 is really hard to mark because he is so shifty, which is why the Oakland Roots signed him at 15 years old, making him the youngest player they have ever signed. He can create for himself or his teammates, and thrives in taking on defenders.
Cantafio is a UCLA commit and played at Strikers FC in Irvine before making his move to Real Salt Lake. He is incredibly quick and shows tremendous foot skills. He is shifty and agile, making defenders miss, using misdirection to get by players and has a low center of gravity, making it hard to knock him off the ball.
Rajagopal plays MLS Next for the San Jose Earthquakes and is as fundamental of a pivot No. 6 that you will find. He changes direction well, and operates well in tight spaces and with people closing out. He doesn’t seem fast, but he is quicker than meets the eye and makes defenders miss. He pushes up at the right time, can create his own shot but also plays great balls that are perfectly weighted to wingers making runs.
Almost exactly a month ago, Willey had a very special moment as the 16-year old debuted for the first team at Sacramento Republic FC, coming on in the 89th minute against Miami FC. Willey plays with a confidence rarely seen in players his age, and despite being smaller, does not back down. He is not easy to knock off the ball as he is strong, and shows great technical skills and the ability to read the game well.