Strikers FC boast top talent from Class of 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strikers FC is a top flight MLS Next club on the boys side, and they are loaded throughout all their graduating classes. The class of 2025 is no exception as the talent is leading to players finding their way to Division I programs already. Some players have been spotlighted already, and here are six more that are deserving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='79694' first='Michael' last='Coury'], Outside Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you give Coury time to pick out a pass, you are making a grave mistake. With time to size up options and find a teammate, he can beat you long, short, diagonally and across the face of goal. He is a pinpoint passer who can beat you on the floor or in the air. He is a threat to score from his right back position as he pushes up well and puts himself in great positions to be dangerous, and receives the ball very well. Defensively he is a stalwart, making perfectly-timed challenges when he slides in for a tackle, and he does not easily let wingers get around him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='79203' first='Cole' last='Harris'], Central Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a UC Santa Barbara commit and the Gauchos are getting a center back that plays the game hard and loves to compete. He is a strong defender, great at winning 50/50 balls and is especially good in the air. He's also a modern day center back who is good in possession, remains calm and poised and can break lines and help build from the back. His athleticism allows him to keep the ball at his feet if forwards try pressing him when on the ball. He's also a great leader and helps the defense keep its shape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='8061' first='Kenny' last='Insouvanh'], Outside Defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Insouvanh is a well-balanced outside back who can get up and down the touch line quickly in order to join the attack or defend. He is able to dispossess while on the move, he keeps up with speedy wingers and showed good instincts for when to push up and what space to play in. He's smart on the ball in the final third, typically making smart decisions, and while defending at the opposite end, he shows the ability to keep attackers in front and make timley tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='33309' first='Jacob' last='Nguyen'], Attacking Midfielder/Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nguyen's ability to change pace and direction quickly serves him greatly. He twists defenders around because of his stop-and-start ability, showing nimbleness and the ability to weave through traffic. He can play as a wide forward on either side, and can sit in the No. 10 spot. Either way, he loves to take people on. He doesn't always rely on shiftiness, as he has good straight line speed as well and can beat defenders with explosion. He can score from a multitude of angles, and is a very creative player in terms of setting up his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='8424' first='Nolan' last='Ruiz'], Outside Defender/Defensive Midfielder</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruiz is a right-footed outside back who also plays the No. 6. He demonstrates excellent foot skills and the ability to make plays. He's tough-minded, which is why he plays the No. 2 and No. 6, but he's also got the vision and ability to help the team when moving forward. He knows when to play the ball on the ground and try to split defenders or when to carry the ball. He's incredibly speedy, he is a great tackler and when he wins a challenge, he transitions very quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='79834' first='Ayden' last='Santana'], Keeper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santana is a strong presence in goal. He's got good size, strength and he pairs those two things with bravery. He is not afraid to be physical, to come for a ball played into the area or to close quickly on an attacker. He does so with aggression and fierceness. He is a kid who makes brilliant saves and does so in very big moments. His reactions are incredibly quick, as she shows great athleticism. He also reads the game and dissects what is in front of him quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->