Attackers, midfielders from New Jersey a talented bunch

A group of attackers and midfielders in New Jersey are showing incredible talent to go with a soccer acumen you simply cannot teach. This group not only shows great physical ability, but also shows an advanced understanding of the game, making them dangerous up top or in the middle of the pitch.   Jaslyn Chen, Forward/Attacking Midfielder, NJ Premier, Class of 2027   Chen spends more than half her time as a striker and the rest of her time as an attacking midfielder. The John P Stevens High player is an exceptional attacking talent. She plays club with the NJ Premier 2009 Blue team. Chen has been playing organized soccer since 2015, starting at age six, and this has led to her being an incredibly technical player with excellent footwork. She's so good with the ball at her feet that winning 1v1's is commonplace, and she can beat multiple defenders off the dribble. Before transitioning to more of a striker role, she played primarily in the No. 10 spot, showing great passing accuracy, whether it be over the top to wide players or on the floor. She shows the vision and ability to create scoring opportunities for other. Since moving to play more in the No. 9 role, she's shown how prolific of a scorer she can be, as you can see in these <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i_ADCRM7wA">highlights</a>. She can use either foot, and is equally capable with both and she is getting better and better when it comes to her awareness of space and when to move where, as well as the ability to shake defenders and make smart runs. Most of the time, teams have to pay special attention to Chen.   Hayden Edwards, Forward/Outside Defender, New Jersey Crush, Class of 2026   Edwards is a wide player on the left, playing as a No. 11 or as an outside back who likes to express herself and get up the pitch. Her versatility in either playing high or back gives her coaches great flexibility, tactically, and allows Edwards the ability to stay on the pitch and create. She is a smart player, who sees the game a couple of moves ahead, looking for where to make the next pass before it is obvious. She scans the field with excellent vision. A hard-working player, Edwards finds pockets of space, always looking to be dangerous on and off the ball. She can get the ball in behind defenders, get the ball in the box and create opportunities for her teammates. When defending, she reads attacking players so well and once she steps to take the ball, she is so good at transitioning to the attack quickly. She attends Immaculate Heart Academy, where she is a rising junior and plays club with New Jersey Crush.   [player_tooltip player_id='102174' first='Caelyn' last='LaFlamme'], Midfielder, PDA South, Class of 2026   LaFlamme is a PDA South player for club, and attends Lawrence High. She is a No. 6 who shows a great understanding and commitment to that role. She understands how and when to initiate offensive play by connecting the back line with the attack by making connecting passes and breaking lines. She reads the game very well, is patient, confident and strong. Her physical strength allows her more time on the ball as she cannot be knocked off easily, and she is strong off the ball, too, showing the ability and willingness to be a tough-minded defensive player. She likes to prevent attacking opportunities and disrupt play for her opponents. She's growing as a player as well, improving when it comes to aerial battles and she is showing more of a scoring prowess.   [player_tooltip player_id='102175' first='Natalia' last='Lombardi'], Forward, Cedar Stars Bergen, Class of 2026   Lombardi is a rising junior forward who plays at Saddle River Day and plays club with Cedar Stars Bergen. She is very active in the box, a true No. 9 who is sniffing out goals and if you give her an inch of space, or allow her to get on the end of a ball, she will put it away. She turns quickly and gets firm shots on goal, and can shoot with either foot. She's also shown the ability to be left alone up top, bring a ball down and beat the defense with her speed to create scoring opportunities. She's incredibly fast, she shows great balance as she does not get knocked off the ball easily and shows a great desire to compete. Lombardi is improving in terms of finding ways to get the ball for her team, to take advantage of turnovers and mistakes to score goals and to work off the ball, such as using her speed to high pressure. As she is settling in with her new school and club, she is also growing more vocally and in confidence.   Elena Ramos, Attacking Midfielder/Forward, PDA, Class of 2025   As an attacking midfielder, the Morris Knolls High rising senior is incredibly calm and composed on the ball. She does not get rushed or panicked when space starts to shrink as she shows patience and plays a perfect ball when the opportunity presents itself. She is very clever and technical, so if the right pass isn't there, she can use her agility and foot skills to create more space, more time and shed defenders. She also gets downhill quickly, and can get a quick shot off in a split second, showing great finishing ability as well.

A group of attackers and midfielders in New Jersey are showing incredible talent to go with a soccer acumen you simply cannot teach. This group not only shows great physical ability, but also shows an advanced understanding of the game, making them dangerous up top or in the middle of the pitch.