Bay Area 2025’s flying under the radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 class in California is loaded with talent. To the point where some excellent players may not get the mentions that they deserve. It's time to fix that for these five players, who are flying under the radar and deserve praise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148159"],"_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-67221028820a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mendez has a marvelous left foot, and she can use it in a variety of ways. She can score from range, she can finish with finesse, she can play a great ball or deliver an accurate cross. She has good pace as well to go with the ability to change direction quickly. She can take on multiple defenders, she can play combination soccer and she's great with one touch and then finding space or making a dangerous run. She is gifted enough to play the No. 11 or play as an outside back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54237"],"_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-6722102882106"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mikalis is a forward who plays as a goal-scoring No. 9. She is very strong as she can use her physicality to hold off center backs to receive the ball or use her strength to take them on. She is a savvy player who will outmaneuver her opponent by being a step ahead in her assessment of the pitch. She's a cool customer who doesn't panic when in on goal and she's a great finisher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["60892"],"_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-6722102882145"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Munoz is a true No. 6, one that is very disciplined and understands her role at that position. She is very good at facilitating. She receives the ball well in space and then makes decisive passes that help loosen up a defense that is either out of shape or swaying in a certain direction. She is a fierce defender, one who will step up and challenge an attacker and one who always seems to be in the right spot to disrupt passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54236"],"_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-672210288217e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nguyen is a versatile forward who can play up top or out wide. She is a creative forward, one that can create for herself because of her excellent foot skills and ability to beat people off the dribble. She likes to go at defenders 1v1 and can create chances for herself when she takes on defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19719"],"_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-67221028821b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rebugio has the look and the movements of an attacking midfielder, but plays as a No. 6. She is very quick, agile and fluid in her movements. She plays fast, she likes to push and can really carry the ball. She textures the ball well and can really thread a pass between center backs, or play a clever little ball from an angle nobody expected. She shows her No 6 toughness as well, playing very physically, stepping to the ball well and not being afraid to make a challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->