Who’s Running the Midfield in the Class of 2027?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every strong team has a heartbeat and in this class, it starts in midfield. These players control <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/09/top-5-midfield-performances-that-shone-girls-soccer/?itm_campaign=wp-parsely&amp;itm_medium=smart-link&amp;itm_term=9e66d69aeff7a591f27a3f1e0a828105&amp;itm_source=smart-linking" title="Top 5 Midfield Performances That Shone- Girls Soccer" data-smartlink="9e66d69aeff7a591f27a3f1e0a828105">tempo</a>, connect lines, and turn ideas into action. Each one brings a unique spark to the center of the pitch. Let's meet the five names shaping how 2027 plays the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["156801"],"_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-68d829cd0f84a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bakley plays with the calm of a seasoned veteran. She rarely forces play instead, she dictates tempo with poise and patience. Her awareness allows her to anticipate two steps ahead, guiding possession like a metronome. When the game quickens, she slows it down; when it stalls, she reignites it. She's the organizer every midfield needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25958"],"_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-68d829cd0f8dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clabaugh thrives in chaos give her a crowded midfield, and she'll carve a path through it. She's not afraid to take risks, threading passes between defenders or carrying the ball into tight <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/08/five-from-lafc-highly-touted-highly-talented/?itm_campaign=wp-parsely&amp;itm_medium=smart-link&amp;itm_term=55e59cc9b4f9a645d3ec26f6497faf76&amp;itm_source=smart-linking" title="Five from LAFC highly touted, highly talented" data-smartlink="55e59cc9b4f9a645d3ec26f6497faf76">space</a>s. What sets her apart is flair balanced by function; she can change a match with a single creative decision yet never loses her tactical grounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25843"],"_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-68d829cd0f94c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rick brings steel and structure. She's a midfield stabilizer who thrives on <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/10/prospect-alert-standout-midfielders/?itm_campaign=wp-parsely&amp;itm_medium=smart-link&amp;itm_term=41db50fc28826017519cd84d778e8a5a&amp;itm_source=smart-linking" title="Prospect Alert: Standout Midfielders" data-smartlink="41db50fc28826017519cd84d778e8a5a">timing challenges</a>, closing gaps, and keeping play tidy. There's nothing wasted in her game every touch has purpose, every pass sets up the next move. Her consistency allows others to flourish, making her one of those quiet leaders who hold everything together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110960"],"_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-68d829cd0f9b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berk's engine never stops. She covers ground endlessly, pressing high, recovering deep, and driving the ball forward whenever space opens. Her intensity forces opponents into mistakes, and her willingness to track back keeps her team balanced. She's the definition of a modern box-to-box midfielder power, persistence, and purpose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110971"],"_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-68d829ffc2dc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Powenski reads the game like a chess player always thinking one move ahead. She excels at intercepting danger early and transforming defense into organized build-up. When in <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/california-2027s-who-are-gaining-traction/?itm_campaign=wp-parsely&amp;itm_medium=smart-link&amp;itm_term=02ed5773c0334f296d21ab8f47c5f05b&amp;itm_source=smart-linking" title="California 2027&#8217;s who are gaining traction" data-smartlink="02ed5773c0334f296d21ab8f47c5f05b">possession</a>, she keeps her team's shape intact, distributing with clarity and composure. Her adaptability makes her invaluable across multiple systems.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->