Michigan players who are displaying strong skill sets
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In the 2026 and 2027 classes in Michigan, there are some very strong players. They are players who show a wide range of skills, and boast a lot of really important tools. They are all comfortable in possession, they all have great skills with the ball at their feet and they are fearsome and brave. These five players are certainly impressing.

Rory Chiles
Rory
Chiles
5'8" | M/D
Brighton | 2027
State
MI
, Defensive Midfielder/Central Defender, Class of 2027
Chiles is just finishing up her freshman year at Brighton High, and plays year-round for her club, the Michigan Jaguars 2008 GA team. As a center back, she is an incredible leader and she helps position the defenders with excellent communication. She's also very good with the ball at her feet and can play through balls or go direct with some distance and accuracy. Defensively, she is very good in the air, winning balls at a great clip. She is also very comfortable steering the ball out of danger, keeping it in play while doing so and helping build an attack. Chiles is also strong in the air at the other end as well, routinely posing a threat in the box when she rises up. A good tackler and anticipator, Chiles makes things difficult for her opponents. She can mark an attacking player out of the game, and because she likes to go box-to-box, she stops counter attacks at different points on the pitch. She's an improving player as well, working hard to become an even better slide tackler, and even working on her shot from distance and the texturing of her long balls and her footwork.
Emma Kessler Emma Kessler D/M State MI , Outside Defender, Class of 2027
Kessler is an outside back, mostly, but recently has been playing in the other two levels, featuring in the midfield and as a forward. She attends Dakota High and plays for the Nationals 09 GA team. She defends in 1v1 situations very well, and when she wins the ball, she's got the technical skills that allow her to bring the ball up the pitch and find teammates in space. She can also dribble out of tough situations because of those foot skills. She's getting so much better at defending in the box and winning balls in the air, and she's determined to push up and send crosses into the box more often. She's a player with great endurance and determination, and is becoming more vocal.
Kendel Krywko Kendel Krywko D State #191 Nation MI , Central Defender/Defensive Midfielder, Class of 2027
The first thing that stands out about Krywko is that she has the foot skills of an attacking player. As a center back, she anticipates well and will step to the ball at the right time. Once she steps, her first touch is excellent, keeping the ball at her feet as she can then start the attack off the dribble. She can beat defenders, and can play perfectly weighted balls to teammates making runs. She's strong and fast, making it hard for attackers to get past her, and she shows an excellent awareness for timing when it comes to slide tackling. She plays club for the Nationals 09 GA team and attends Academy of the Sacred Heart.

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Highlights
AvaLee Pomper
AvaLee
Pomper
M/D
MI
, Attacking Midfielder, Class of 2026
Pomper plays mostly as a No. 10, but can really play all over the midfield as she is very versatile. The Michigan International Prep and Nationals 08 GA player is incredibly fun to see on the ball. She's fast and makes quick decisions, shows great creativity in the midfield and great technical ability. She sees the field well and can split the defense with a precision pass. She can use either foot, which allows her to change direction quickly. She also works hard on both ends, stepping into passing lanes and making tackles in order to win the ball and keep it on the opponent's half. She is a good communicator and an encouraging teammate.
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