La Masia SD developing talent with the best of them

It's understandable when most of the coverage of the up and coming talent of the California soccer scene gets centered around players who are older. There are ways that make it easier to assess these players, to measure these players and even to see them play live or on film.   However, there does need to be some light shined on programs like La Masia SD, who develop younger talent, players in the 8-12 year old range, and help set the foundation for the player they are going to be. Clubs like La Masia are not given enough credit, especially when you consider their 2012 and 2013 girls teams finished ranked No. 1 nationally.   The development at La Masia SD is for real, and the players that come out of that club are more prepared when they are high school aged. The girls playing with La Masia SD improve greatly do to the exposure of playing with boys teams as well as against older girls teams.   Ayella Adams, Striker, 2013   Adams is a striker on the 2013 Surf team. For a player her age, she already demonstrates terrific hold-up play ability. She is clinical finishing in front of goal and is a player who works extremely hard.   Radha Sonthalia, Midfielder, 2012   Sonthalia is already in double digits in goals on the season, and is a big, physical presence on the 2012 Surf team. She can play the No. 6 and the No. 10, and play them well. She is extremely technical, and she is involved in just about all of the buildup and goals for her team. She has a great shot from distance, and is one of the top scorers in her ECNL age group despite the fact she will play deeper in the midfield.   Eve Broughton, Defender/Forward, 2012   Broughton is a 2013, but plays on the 2012 Surf team and is the only player that plays up a year on that 2012 team. She is a versatile player as she can play as an outside back or play as a wide forward. She is a very quick player, equally great in either position. She is a constant communicator, and she displays great leadership for a player her age, especially considering she's younger than most of her teammates.   Arianna Navarro, Defender/Midfielder, 2012   Navarro plays for the 2012 Beach team and she is invaluable to that team because she can can play nearly every single position. She is an extremely aggressive player, one who is good in the air and is fantastic from a technical standpoint.   Mia Rios, Midfielder/Forward, 2013   Rios plays for the 2013 Slammers Koge team and is an extremely dangerous attacking player. She can play in the midfield and as a winger, but wherever she is playing, she is going to be a threat to defenses when in 1v1 situations. She is an extremely fast player.

It's understandable when most of the coverage of the up and coming talent of the California soccer scene gets centered around players who are older. There are ways that make it easier to assess these players, to measure these players and even to see them play live or on film.