Top 5 Winners From the 2010/2011 USYNT Norcal Talent ID

Nikolai Littleton March 21, 2025 @ 12:04 AM

It was an amazing day in Orinda, CA at the Wilder complex. Great weather for soccer around 60 degrees and light clouds. These boys were given an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a ton of professional scouts, Technical Directors, coaches and US Youth National Team evaluators. I didn't realize it until I arrived but it turned into being a scrimmage against the San Jose Earthquakes 2009 team. The game was tightly contested and ended in a 2-2 draw. Here's who I thought were the top 5 winners whose stock should have improved significantly from the day.   #1 [player_tooltip player_id='215960' first='Winston' last='Hoover'] was one of two 2011 born players in the pool and he had himself a day. He scored twice in the first half and almost capped it off with a hat-trick hitting the post with his left foot. He sat for most of the second half. He scored his first within 15 seconds of the game where he smashed home from close range. He scored his second off a cross when he hit the ball one time with a defender draped all over him from just inside the 18. His speed and size is evident but his polish on the ball has become a major strength. He would seem to be a shoe in for this next U-15 cycle after a performance like that.   #2 Orion Joliff was great in possession and solid in his 1 v 1 duels. He was everywhere defensively, it looked like he was playing all across the back line with all the ground he was covering when the ball got played in behind. He is a confirmed U15 National Team Call Up. Another fantastic talent from the valley is emerging.   #3 [player_tooltip player_id='216007' first='Charlie' last='Wachs'] showed extreme improvement in his defensive capabilities winning a ton of tackles and covering a lot of ground. Always seemed to be in a position to make a play on the ball. His footwork when standing another player up was very good.   #4 [player_tooltip player_id='216004' first='Rocky' last='Romell'] I would not want to go into a 50-50 challenge with this dude. He is a very fast bruiser which is a scary combination for an opposing striker. Because even if you beat him you're putting your body at risk as the force he can generate is scary. Had a couple of very clean bone crushing tackles.   #5 [player_tooltip player_id='215436' first='Xavier' last='Rodriguez'] little magician when he has the ball at his feet. He can bring a ball down out of the air exceptionally. Time will tell with him. Definitely far behind with his physical maturity compared to every other kid out there but his technical class is exceptional. Once he matures physically I think he has professional potential.

It was an amazing day in Orinda, CA at the Wilder complex. Great weather for soccer around 60 degrees and light clouds. These boys were given an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a ton of professional scouts, Technical Directors, coaches and US Youth National Team evaluators. I didn't realize it until I arrived but it turned into being a scrimmage against the San Jose Earthquakes 2009 team. The game was tightly contested and ended in a 2-2 draw. Here's who I thought were the top 5 winners whose stock should have improved significantly from the day.