The Next Wave: 7 Must-Watch California Players in the 2027 Class

The Prep Soccer state rankings for the 2027 class in California will be updated in the coming week. Prior to the new rankings release, Prep Soccer takes a look at some of the names catching the eyes of scouts from this class.     Named to the All CIF-SS Division 1 team for her play with Orange Lutheran during her sophomore season, Eguia's stock skyrocketed during the Winter. She was highlighted last season for her club<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/07/california-2027-midfielders-are-ridiculously-talented/"> as a top midfielder in the state during the postseason</a>. Those contributions highlighted her versatility and skill as a high-level contributor at both midfield and defense. She's really stepped in her soccer intelligence especially in her understanding of the opposition. She has been excellent at cutting out passes and being in the right spots to impact the game with her play. Eguia has continued to improve on her left foot as well and now hits a great ball with her both feet. She can star as a defensive midfielder or an outside back at the next level.     Deleon is a center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'] San Diego (formerly DMCV) 09 ECNL team, arguably one of the best surprises of the ECNL season. Deleon and her squad are comfortably into the Champions League playoffs and have shown they should be a team that could make some noise in the postseason. The center back pairing on the team is amongst the best in the country especially for two players who are not in the National Team program at this time. Deleon starts at left center back - there is fluidity between the two players and they are excellent at covering for each other so she can pop up on the right side when the situation calls for it. The best aspect of her game is her ability to retain possession of the ball after winning a tackle or 50/50 duel. She's great at finding her teammates feet with clean passes and looking in all directions to get the option for the ball.     Quick feet, technical skill, and great balance, So Cal Blues midfielder Natalie Valladolid has all the tools to be a star in the box-to-box midfielder role at the next level. The soccer-loving prospect was named to the ECNL All-Conference First Team for her contributions last season, which should catch the eyes of scouts. She is an ideal fit for a program that is looking for a ball-progressing midfielder who loves competition. The Blues 09 team had a rough season in terms of results, but they were competitive in nearly every game in one of the most difficult conferences in the country. The Blues midfielder was also stellar the high school level and earned a spot on the All CIF-SS Division 1     The [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] defense is a joy to watch from a scouting perspective. A sound group of individuals who all make each other better, but also challenge each other in how fluid the attack can be and how dynamic they can be when playing off each other. Halada stood out from recent games for her play at left back. She has been listed as a forward on her player profile in the past and her ability to beat players off the dribble definitely makes her a unique prospect from the left back spot. Her willingness to cut inside and overload that area puts the opposition into difficult decisions. Halada is a solid 1v1 defender and has the pace to match up with the top wingers.     Throop is a new name to the rankings in California. She is a goalkeeper on the So Cal Blues 09 ECNL team. The goalkeeper position is crowded in this class, but she is a name that continues to pop up when watching this Blues team. She has good hands and does well in limiting second chances. Throop plays with confidence and gives her teammates the confidence that she will make the save. Her team has been in a number of battles this season that has left her net peppered with shots and she's done well in those situations in shot-saving efforts. Thropp could improve on her positional awareness. She seems to drift a bit in the net and has to work more to get to the right spot for the save. Throop was a promotion from the ECNL RL team and looks the part of an ECNL standout player.     Cohan is an attacking midfielder on the Slammers 09 ECNL team. She impressed during the recent ECNL National Event with her play. She brought that confident play from the high school level to the club game. She was named the Offensive Player of the Year for Orange Coast League at the high school level as a sophomore. Cohan hasn't overwhelmed at the ECNL level with her athleticism, but rather in her quick decision-making, skill and physical play. She's scrappy and uses her body to hold off defenders better than most attacking midfielders - her skills in that regard feel closer to a center forward, but she could be more imposing in aerial duels. Cohan's best moments are when she hounds the opposing defenders into 50/50 challenges around the box. Cohan has provided a number of assists this season with her hustle and determination.     Harpster is a center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'] San Diego 09 ECNL team. She made the National Selection Game at the ECNL Phoenix Spring 2025. Harpster is a multi-sport athlete. Competitive, battler, and winner, Harpster has been a revelatory development this season in the ECNL, and the success of the [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'] SD 09 ECNL has been on the back of that stellar defense. She can play either left or right center back. She has been a standout defender at ECNL for some time - her play last season was very good as well in 1v1 defending and cover situations. Her game has seen the most growth in handling pressure on the ball and decision-making. She's breaking pressure consistently and making excellent decisions on the ball. She's a target on set pieces for her side as well. Harpster should have a lot of fans among college scouts for all the quality she brings to the game.

The Prep Soccer state rankings for the 2027 class in California will be updated in the coming week. Prior to the new rankings release, Prep Soccer takes a look at some of the names catching the eyes of scouts from this class.