Players from 2027 class poised to break out

With a rankings update looming, and a long list of names on the PrepSoccer Watch List, here are five players who could be poised for a breakout and make a jump up the rankings list.   [player_tooltip player_id='170870' first='Jackson' last='Friedman'], Keeper, Beach FC   Friedman will be a huge riser in a soon-to-come rankings update and could be a breakout star in 2024/2025. He is one of the, if not the most, athletic keeper in California from the class of 2027. His quick-twitch response is second to nobody I have seen, as he reacts incredibly fast allowing him to make saves when an attacker is in on goal alone. He can cover his near post, knowing he has the athleticism and ability to get to a ball at the far post. He is unafraid to come out and challenge, understanding when to sweep the ball or when to get big and take away an angle. The way he understands positioning and angles is next level, he is completely switched on as he moves quickly with the flow of play. He is a fiery leader and a vocal keeper. Friedman was an All-Conference ECNL Selection last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='211250' first='Juan' last='Carlos Munoz'], Defensive Midfielder, Ballistic United   Munoz is a tireless worker, a No. 6 who gives full effort the entire time he is on the pitch. The amount of ground he covers is incredible as he not only pushes up to show off his foot skills and join the attack, but he goes from touch line to touch line as well. He is relentless in being disruptive when an attacker is on the ball, he never gives up on a play as he is always looking to fill a passing lane or deflect a ball in. He can also ping a pass with the best of them, showing the ability to distribute, showing good vision and showing a creative ability with the ball on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='147168' first='Sebastian' last='Moran Ruano'], Forward, Strikers FC   Moran Ruano is a fun player to watch because of how he can weave through defenders, even in the technical area with very little space. His touch is so light that it is hard to take the ball off of him. Speaking of his touch, when bringing the ball down, it does not leave his foot and he can then quickly turn and get a one-touch strike off on goal. He has the ability to drag the ball across goal and when he sees the keeper leans, he fires to the far post and slots the ball home neatly. He has great finishing ability and great instincts, which makes him very hard to deal with as a defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='146775' first='Kyota' last='Tani'], Defensive Midfielder, Pateadores   If you were to look at Tani and judge him based on his size, you'd be making a mistake. He might seem small for a No. 6, but he is a bulldog. He is very strong, very physical and will simply outwork most players. He's also incredibly intelligent in terms of his understanding of positioning and the tactical aspect of the game. He is a defensive midfielder that does like to push the ball up the pitch as he shows the ability to carry, and after he plays the ball he is very good at occupying the right space. He makes very accurate passes to the wide runners, showing the ability to weight a ball perfectly.   [player_tooltip player_id='147169' first='Anderson' last='Torres'], Central Defender, 1974 Newark FC   Torres is a composed center back who plays beyond his years. He seems to have the organization under control, he's smooth and controlled with the ball and with his movements and he plays big and physical in the back. He's a very skilled player who can possess the ball, play it on the floor and push up when needed. He's a ball-winning defender who is as strong in the air as he is challenging balls on the ground as he wins most of his aerial duals and shows great timing when making tackles.

With a rankings update looming, and a long list of names on the PrepSoccer Watch List, here are five players who could be poised for a breakout and make a jump up the rankings list.