U16 Rayados: Who has the potential to perform at the next level?

Monterrey FC, also nicknamed Rayados, is a historic and successful soccer team from the Mexican Liga MX league. Rayados isn't only known for its titles and players, but for the potential its youth program and academies have. The U16 Rayados 2009 (H) soccer team in Chicago is one of those programs that produces multiple prospects with the potential to perform at the highest level. Below are just some of the many talented players Prep Soccer was able to chat with.    A fast and talented center midfielder, Lopez is a player that any team would want to have leading the middle of the field. Lopez has multiple qualities in his arsenal to offer any team, from good vision to providing an accurate pass toward goal or attacking himself to get a shot on goal. Having played since he was seven, Lopez's goal is playing at the highest level and beyond.     A goalkeeper with strong reflexes and anticipation for saves, Mendoza is a goalkeeper for the future and bargains for any team. Mendoza knows being a goalkeeper is more of a mental thing than anything else because one mistake can set you back the whole game. When it comes to the physical part of his game, Mendoza works hard in training his legs to get good jump and power, but he also works outside of team practice to goalie training to improve even more. Having played since he was seven, Mendoza's goal is to play at the next level.     A physical and talented striker, Hernandez is the complete forward that is a dime a dozen. Hernandez takes the position with the utmost responsibility knowing it's one of the key positions for the team. When it comes to winning his duels on the way toward goal, Hernandez uses his height and strength to his advantage to win the ball as well as his speed to anticipate the runs, keep a good eye on the defenders, and make sure he's staying on side to score. Having played since he was five, Hernandez's goal is to play at the next level.     A dedicated and talented forward, Villegas is a player any team would want as their main man up top. Villegas's main trait is his mentality, to always improve, on and off the field. When anticipating runs to stay onside so he can score, Villegas scans the field to look two steps ahead of the play to anticipate the through ball from his teammates to be ready to score. When it comes to scoring, Villegas picks a side, not overthinking it but analyzing where the goalie is looking, and then that's where he takes the shot. Having played since he was three, Villegas's goal is playing in college.     A very determined and hard-working player, Gallegos is a dependable center-back who leaves everything on the field. Gallegos works off the field to perfect his craft by putting everything he has into practice with the team and on his own. When it comes to his defensive duties, Gallegos may be a small guy; however, he uses his strength and mentality to his advantage in anticipating mistakes to clear the ball out, when it's physical, speed on them, to try to make his opponent play wide and catch up to win the ball. Having played since he was three, Gallegos's goal is playing at the next level.

Monterrey FC, also nicknamed Rayados, is a historic and successful soccer team from the Mexican Liga MX league. Rayados isn't only known for its titles and players, but for the potential its youth program and academies have. The U16 Rayados 2009 (H) soccer team in Chicago is one of those programs that produces multiple prospects with the potential to perform at the highest level. Below are just some of the many talented players Prep Soccer was able to chat with.