COPA TALENT ID DAY | 2011-2008 Best XI – Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The COPA ID DAY on July 23, 2025, was again a top-notch event offering high-level players opportunities to showcase their skill sets and teamworking abilities, as well as correlate them to their COPA assessment score. The COPA assessment score was one of the main criteria for getting an invite to this prestigious event. The COPA score is data driven and based on a series of technical, physical, and cognitive tests. It involves assessments on agility, jumping agility, sprint speed, ball control, passing accuracy, awareness, reaction time, and other key elements.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am honored and grateful to be able to provide coverage on this event. This is the second event for me, and I believe there will be many more to come. Love the fact that COPA offered free assessments for players born between 2013 and 2008. As their motto states' “We're building AN OBJECTIVE PATHWAY for players to get seen.” How does one get an invitation, you might ask? All they need to do is earn an invite? Players needed to sign up for innovative player assessment<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/copastc/"> #copastc</a> and take their COPA score by July 15 to qualify.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Will say that the level of competition from this age group was clearly at a much higher level as compared to the March event. Seeing some of the players who made it back this time was a treat, as their progression in this sport is what really matters. Also, grateful to have seen many new faces compete at such a high level. This was one of the best groups of skilled and talented players I've evaluated in a while. This will be Part 1 of 3. This article will feature the Top 5 of the Best XI on the COPA Talent ID Day on July 23, 2025. Part 2 will cover the remaining 6, and Part 3 will include other notable players. This current feature highlights some of the Elite players in CA and in the Nation, including USYNT call ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1948876288825196990","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1948876288825196990 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The format for the live assessments was 4 quarters of 20 minutes. Coaches would be able to place players in their natural playing positions, while in some cases players saw action at secondary or other positions. The many scouts were on hand to evaluate their talents and compare them to their COPA assessment score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game Highlights: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949135713435537832","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949135713435537832 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Top 5 was merely ranked on their COPA Score, from highest moving down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>90 - [player_tooltip player_id='111138' first='Samantha' last='Mac Niven'] - [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy']&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>89 - [player_tooltip player_id='199883' first='Mercy' last='Karson'] - Mustang SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>89 - [player_tooltip player_id='111260' first='Abby' last='Forsgren'] - Mustang SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>88 - [player_tooltip player_id='111106' first='Emilia' last='Gotshall'] - [program_tooltip program_id='283467' first='Santa' last='Rosa United']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>88 - [player_tooltip player_id='276576' first='Sadie' last='Siedel'] - Mustang SC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player #1 - [player_tooltip player_id='111138' first='Samantha' last='Mac Niven'] - [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy'] - 2027 - F - Prep Soccer Rankings (#72 in CA and #22 in Position)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68851b02cd388"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She showed her speed, ball control, and dribbling and cutting skills with control, She scored the first goal of the match as she received the ball outside of the 18 and split defenders before deciding to avoid a 1v1 with the goalkeeper who cutoff her angle. Samantha turned right and with almost the same pace, she turned back in to fire off a rocket shot to the back post. Awesome display of speed, control, and decision making skills. Looking forward to seeing her have a breakout Junior year as she has a total of 27 goals and 28 assists at the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1948898230080835711","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1948898230080835711 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player #2 - [player_tooltip player_id='199883' first='Mercy' last='Karson'] - Mustang SC - 2028 - D - Prep Soccer Rankings (#10 National, #10 in CA and #5 in Position)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["199883"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68851b02cd408"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Winner of a free trial with Racing Louisville at the previous COPA Pro Pathway event earlier in March - She picked up where she left off, commanding and starting counter attacks from the back. Mercy continues to show her progression as an Elite Player. She recently was a USYNT U-15 call up. She competed with her ECNL club team in the National Playoffs as well as participated in the Racing Louisville pro trial. Although she is identified as one of the best players in her age group, it will be great to see her continue to develop and earn more opportunities to wear the Red, White, and Blue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949139150038512003","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949139150038512003 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player #3 - [player_tooltip player_id='111260' first='Abby' last='Forsgren'] (Memphis Commit) - Mustang SC - 2026 - F/D - Prep Soccer Rankings (#28 in CA and #14 in Position and Rankings Riser)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111260"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688522688d542"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She had a great showing on defense, with flares of passing, ball control, and making clean win-backs. Abby is a recent Memphis commit. Definitely looking forward to seeing her have a standout Senior year of high school as she was named to Prep Soccer's High School NorCal Region 1st team last season. She plays the left wing-back well and can also make runs to down the or make precise passes to midfielders in open pockets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949147819081978246","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949147819081978246 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player #4 - Emilia "Emmy" Gotshall - [program_tooltip program_id='283467' first='Santa' last='Rosa United'] - 2027 - F/M- Prep Soccer Rankings (Not available yet) - Hasn't been on the radar as of yet, but things will definitely be looking up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111106"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688522688d5a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>She received a Top Performer COPA score.&nbsp; She attended the event in March and I believe she will be invited to the upcoming event in July.&nbsp; It is players like Emilia who haven't been on the radar, but have a great upside based on her COPA score in which the event is made for.&nbsp; </em>She showed spurts of speed and quickness. She forced a defender to make a pass back, which was received by her teammate who then sent the ball up to a streaking forward to get goal #1. Looking forward to seeing her have a breakout Junior year as she has 15 goals and 17 assists last year at the varsity level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1948898230080835711","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1948898230080835711 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player #4 - [player_tooltip player_id='276576' first='Sadie' last='Siedel'] - Mustang SC - 2029 - F/M - Prep Soccer Rankings (2029 Rankings are Not available yet) - She will definitely be at or near the top of the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["276576"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688522688d5f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the youngest players competing with this age group. She will be entering her Freshman year of high school, but her skill level is that of at least 2 years up. She is a perfect example of how the COPA assessment can support the development of players which have a body type of players up to 2-3 years beyond their age group. Her physical attributes and soccer skills have placed her at a level much higher than her peers. Sadie has already been a USYNT U-15 call up during the April camp in Georgia. She is already an Elite Player and it will be great to see her progression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949154981250252991","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1949154981250252991 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for Part 2, featuring the next 6 of the Top XI players. Articles 2 and 3 will be dropping soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->