Spotlight on New York’s 2028 Class: 10 Players with Elite Upside

New York's freshman class includes a couple of players already on the Youth National Team - and that is just scratching the surface for the depth and potential of this group.   The Prep Soccer player rankings for the 2028 class was released this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/new-york/rankings/boys/2028-rankings/">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the Prep Soccer ranking process</a>.   Below is a scouting report on 10 of the players with the highest upside from this group.    [player_tooltip player_id='276319' first='Roman' last='Bobyk'] - FC Euro New York Five-foot-10 midfielder, right footed. Physical, uses his body well to shield players off the ball. Can play any spot in the midfield. Excellent close control of the ball. He was a standout against MLS Academy teams near the end of 2024 - looked like the best player on the field at times. Big time potential considering his skill, size, and soccer smarts.      [player_tooltip player_id='276427' first='Aiden' last='Munoz'], BW Gottschee - Munoz is a midfielder on the Blau Weiss Gottschee. He was part of the Best of MLS Next game this season. I thought his play against Barca Academy was one of the best individual performances I saw from the event. His assists on the first goal was a great example of the quality he brings to his team. He wins possession of the ball in the center of the field and picks out the run of the left winger with a perfectly weighted pass. Munoz is a fun player to watch and a skillful midfielder with a well rounded game who should be getting looks from top level scouts.     [player_tooltip player_id='271237' first='Niccolo' last='Vafiades'], NYCFC - Vafiades is a center midfielder for the New York City FC U15 MLS Next team. He's also played for the U16 team this season as well. He's left footed. He can play as a No. 6 or as a No. 8. He's at his best as a No. 6. He's an incredibly smart player. He's not the biggest kid on the field, but he tends to have the most impact thanks to tactical brilliance and quick thinking on the ball. Vafiades has established himself as part of the US Youth National Team in the 2010 age group, and looks to be on the professional pathway. His play toward the end of last year showcased a midfielder who controlled the game and made his teammates look better thanks to the quality of passing he displayed. Vafiades is a top player in this group and in the country.     [player_tooltip player_id='168222' first='Oliver' last='Wagner'], Met Oval - Wagner is an attacking midfielder on the Met Oval Academy U16 MLS Next team. He is a tireless worker. He can play in the center or out wide. He is right footed. Wagner impressed with his play resented in his ability to hold the ball under pressure and navigate out of tight spaces. The Met Oval midfielder has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. He's one to watch from this group.      [player_tooltip player_id='271230' first='Dylan' last='Lawlor'], NYCFC - Lawlor is a center back from the 2010 age group who has been outstanding this season in MLS Next. He's been a bright spot of the NYCFC U15 MLS Next team. He's left footed, confident on the ball, and shows a really high level soccer IQ. He's played left back with the NYCFC U16 MLS Next team this season. I think there are some questions about his professional future. He might lack the elite pace for outside back and not have the size for center back. I don't think it will matter in the end. He's an outstanding defender and shows the competitiveness to suggest he will be getting more opportunities against older competition soon. Lawlor should be a top talent to watch in this group.     [player_tooltip player_id='271227' first='Micah' last='Edim'], NYSC - Edim is one of the captains of the New York Soccer Club U15 MLS Next Team. The six-foot-one right center back has unlimited potential. His strengths are his quick decision-making and aerial dominance, perhaps an obvious one. He does have a tendency to try to do too much - both defensively and in the transition when gaining possession. The want to join the attack when he intercepts the ball sees an opening is understandable and perhaps a more likely coaching point to come up in the future. The drifting as a defender off the ball due to anticipation is a tactical aspect of his game that needs to improve for the top level. He has shown remarkable growth as a player in the past season and there is every reason to believe he will continue on that trajectory and contend for the title as the best defender in this class in the future.      [player_tooltip player_id='271225' first='Ashton' last='Briscoe'], Met Oval - Briscoe is a right back for Met Oval U15 MLS Next. He's one of the top outside backs in this class. A tenacious defender with pace, Briscoe has the tools to be a star in his role. He's an impactful player defensively. He is physical in the duel, smart in the tackle, and dominant in aerial challenges. He needs to improve his impact in the attack to make the leap. His ball striking on the cross and on long range shots are two area for growth in 2025. Briscoe is terrific dribbler and can dance around defenders with the ball at his feet. He's an elite prospect at outside back.      [player_tooltip player_id='271224' first='Olumuyiwa' last='Ajayi'], NYCFC - Ajayi has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country, The New York City Academy standout earned his reputation with his play during a Youth National Team camp last year. He's continued to impress and improve. He's playing with the NYCFC U16 MLS Next this season - one age group up. His recent play has been full of highs including a pair of highlight-reel saves against Inter Miami last month. He had some hiccups that showed room for growth as well. He struggled with his first touch at times at the event, which offers an opportunity for him to elevate his game as he adjusts to that pressures and difficulties of playing against older competition. Ajayi is still fully capable of deciding a game with his unbelievable saves. He's one of the best in his position in the country and looking to prove that an international level soon.     <figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/01/Olumuyiwa-Ajayi-Saves.mov"></video></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='276328' first='PJ' last='Mogilner'], FC Westchester - Mogilner is a goalkeeper for FC Westchester MLS Next U15. He's established himself as one of the best in his position in that league and in the state. He's aggressive off his line with quick reflexes. He's comfortable using his feet. He's got good hands and does well on securing the ball when he gets a hand on it. He could improve on his organization especially on set pieces - and keeping the area around him open so he has an easier time getting to the ball on crosses. He needs to improve on his consistency of accurate distribution as well. He gave away a couple of easy chances during the MLS Next Event last month.      [player_tooltip player_id='276406' first='Rami' last='Daoud'], NYCFC - Daoud might be slightly overshadowed in this group as Ajayi steals a lot of headline as one of the best goalkeepers in the 2010 age group in the country. However, there is reason to buy into Daoud's potential and current impact for an argument as the best keeper in this class. He's exceptional off his line. Confident with his feet, reads the game well, and decisive in his actions. Daoud has big time potential as a shot-stopper as well.

New York's freshman class includes a couple of players already on the Youth National Team - and that is just scratching the surface for the depth and potential of this group.