Introducing the Top Five in Prep Soccer California 2029 Rankings
In this article:
The Prep Soccer California 2029 Rankings were released this week. Check out the full rankings here. Learn more about the ranking process here.
Below is a scouting report on the top five players in this class.
Lara has been making noise for some time in MLS Next. Earning playing time while playing up an age group has been the standard for the Earthquakes standout. Listed as an attacking midfielder on his player profile, he appears more often in a winger role. He likes to play on the left wing and cut inside onto his right. He’s a skillful dribbler who has a knack for controlling the pace – his start/stop move is an effective tool in his kit for creating space and utilizing his options on the ball.
Lara has emerged as not only a top name in California, but also in the country in this age group. He should be one to watch as a top attacking talent for years to come.
Highlights
Washington is the top ranked center back for this class. He’s another player who earned the right to play up an age group last season. Washington featured for the LAFC MLS Next U15 team during the playoffs.
He played as the left center back. He’s a rangy defender with all the tools to be a top prospect on the professional pathway. He is right footed.
The high ranking for Washington is a firm bet on the potential. He, by far, has the highest ceiling in this class among defenders. There is a lot that can change in time, but there is plenty to believe in for his path forward. He needs to continue to improve on his left foot in distribution. He also needs to be better off the ball with his movement. He needs to be quicker and sharper with his movements to show for teammates. He’s a young center back and there is plenty of reliance on his superior athleticism so there will be some time for his tactics to advance as well with the rest of his game.
If Washington puts it all together, he will be one of the top players to pass through the LAFC academy.
Highlights
Welch is an attacking midfielder on the LAFC Academy. He starred for the club at the U15 level during the MLS Next Cup, while playing up an age group. He played against older competition all season.
Welch is a versatile player who can pop up in a number of spots. He projects as a box-to-box midfielder, but there is a future path for him in another role as well. He’s a smart player with great vision.
Welch really impressed against Michigan Wolves in the postseason. He ended the game with a goal, but probably should’ve had a few more assists as well. He was dishing and slicing apart that defense.
Highlights
Bailey is another top defender from this class. He’s a center back but also has some versatility to slide out wide if needed. He has the physical tools to progress up the professional pathway quickly. He’s earned playing time at an older level during the last club season and should continue to be viewed as one of the best in the Earthquakes Academy.
Highlights
There are very few players with the athletic gifts of Quincy Lamar Quincy Lamar F State CA , who is a dominant forward with Chula Vista FC in MLS Next.
Lamar has game-breaking qualities and bested even the top players up an age group at times in the past season. The lack of depth among forwards that fit his player profile certainly help boost his ranking as there are very few players that could be considered among his peers.
Lamar’s strength, pace, and finishing instincts make him an elite player in this class.
