Texas 2028 Rankings: Elite Midfielders Making an Impact

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer rankings for the 2028 class in Texas were <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/08/updated-2028-texas-girl-rankings/">released this week</a>. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/texas/rankings/girls/2028-rankings/">the full rankings here</a>. Learn more about<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/"> the ranking process here</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on a few of the standouts in the midfield for the freshman group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210628"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d19b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Addi Staats is a midfielder on the US Youth National Team and Solar SC 2010 ECNL. She is a new addition to the Solar squad. I could see her filling in a variety of roles for her new club. I could also seeing her stock skyrocketing with a stellar season for Solar. For Dallas Texans, she played as a defensive midfielder during the ECNL playoffs. She was a dominant presence in the center of the field - almost to the extent that she was playing more as a No. 8 and doing the work all over the field. Sharp in the tackle, quick in transition, and decisive in her movement, Staats showed she is clearly a top player in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211781"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d1f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Midfielder. Tall. Covers a lot of ground. Like to play with the attacking trio as her eyes are clearly set on helping her team score. Right footed. Strikes the ball well and can hit an accurate pass over distance. Part of the USYS National Championship team. Don't think she has been called into a US Soccer Talent ID event yet, but she's got that type of quality. Starter on Solar and influential player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214154"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d237"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Woodford is a midfielder on the AHFC 2010 ECNL team. She plays as a defensive midfielder, but her game lends itself to a center midfielder with box-to-box quality. I think she is used more as the No. 6 because she has the engine and willingness to do the job and the tactical intelligence to cover the right spots for her team. Woodford's play in the postseason impressed me. She did well in dictating the game with her smart positioning and decision-making on the ball. Her athletic traits also showed with her lung-busting full field runs. Woodford has the quality to be a top player in this class in the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["210632"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d278"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hayes was listed as a defender on the US Soccer U14 National Team roster, but she plays primarily as the defensive midfielder for her club team. I'm guessing US Soccer scouts view her as an outside back and I can see why they believe in that role for her future. Right now, I'm going to keep her in the center of the field given her value to that role. I think Hayes is excellent tactically. She is advanced in her understanding of the game and shows elite positioning off the ball. I do think she gets a bit of tunnel vision on the ball and tends to play the next pass in the direction that is originally facing. Adding a bit of patience to that element of her game, and finding a 360 approach on the field will elevate her play. She's shown the quality to be the best midfielder in this class and she should continue to develop into a star in that role.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214136"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d2b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortiz is an attacking midfielder on the FC Dallas 2010 ECNL team. She has been part of the US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She has incredible footwork thanks to her expertise from the futsal court. She has elite mastery of ball control and she plays with a flair. There are quite a few clips out there of her megging opponents in the center of the field. She is a gifted player and provides key passes through the center channel. Ortiz has massive upside as one of the most creative and talented players in this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214719"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d2f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is a midfielder on the Sting Black 2010 ECNL team. She impressed last season with her play in the center of the field. She has quick feet and a sharp soccer mind. She does a good job taking a 360 approach to the position and finding unique ways to work out of pressure. Baker's shown the potential as an influential player in the center of the field at the ECNL level. She has standout attributes to be a top two-way player among the midfielders in this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214724"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c4ebc75d334"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atkinson is a box-to-box midfielder for the Sting Royal 2010 ECNL team. She's worn the captain's armband for the last two seasons. She's a standout in the center of the field for her dominant play. She has a strong leg and good accuracy. She allows her team to play direct when needed but also shows the intelligence to slow down the pace of the game at times too. Atkinson is a high mobility player who covers a ton of ground and plays with a nonstop engine. She makes impactful plays all over the field and has been one of the most valuable pieces on one of the best teams in the ECNL.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->