Six Attacking Midfielders with Pro Potential from 2029 Rankings

The Prep Soccer Boys National Rankings for the 2029 class were released on Monday. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/national/rankings/boys/2029-rankings/">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">our ranking process here. </a>   Below is a scouting report on six of the top ranked attacking midfielders from this class.     The [program_tooltip program_id='283750' first='Sporting' last='Kansas City'] emerging talent became the first player born in 2011 to make his MLS Next Pro debut earlier this year. His club signed him to an Amateur Deal for the game, but it seems like it's just a matter of time before they link him to a longer term contract. He is left-footed, six-feet tall. The midfielder has spent most of his time this season playing with the club's U19 team. He looks the part while playing against older (much older) competition. He thrives on the ball with his exceptional vision, exquisite skill, and keen playmaking qualities. Loyo Reynaga looks to be a top talent to watch from the 2011 age group.     Ros is a midfielder on the Barca Residency Academy U16 MLS Next team. He was part of the US Soccer U14 Boys National Team ID Camp in May. He is a right-footed midfielder who can play as the No. 8 or the No. 10. He's got something special to his game. Ros is a treat to scout. He's an exceptional dribbler with close control and a strong understanding of body feints. He has been outstanding in MLS Next this season. He has scored a goal in his last four games. Barca Residency Academy has been one of the top development pathways in the United States and Ros looks like the next crown jewel for the club.     Tristani is a midfielder from the New York City Academy. He plays on the club's U17 and U16 MLS Next teams. He is part of the US Soccer U15 Boys Youth National Team. He's a right footed midfielder, five-foot-eight. Tristani is one of the best passers in this class. He's got a innate feel for the timing and weight of passes. The MLS Next defenders and defense seem like too easy of a challenge for him, as he routinely slices the competition apart with his precision and placement on the pass. He is getting challenged against older competition this season, which has shown some area for improvement - he needs to be more physical in the tackle and improve his technique in the duel. Offensively, he sees the game better than most youth players and looks to be on the fast track to getting to chances against professional competition. Tristani is a smart midfielder with a bright future.     Niles is an attacking midfield on the [program_tooltip program_id='283752' first='St.' last='Louis City SC'] Academy. He plays for the club's U17 MLS Next team. He's right-footed and five-foot-six. Niles is part of the U.S. U16 Boys Youth National Team. He was previously listed as a forward - and scored over 30 goals last season in MLS Next- but has found a permanent home as an attacking midfielder. He was named the MLS Next MVP for the U15 age group for the 2024/2025 season. This season Niles is facing a bigger challenge against older competition. Playing up with the U17 team, he has taken to the midfield role. He has not been nearly as prolific at scoring, but he has been equally as important in facilitating. His team has scored at least three goals in their last four games (three wins and a draw) with Niles pulling the strings in the midfield. He keeps close control of the ball, he makes quick decisions on the ball, and he does well in checking his shoulders before receiving the ball. He has a tendency to look to progress the ball up the field when he earns a touch in the center of the field, which is similar to the other top ranked midfielders in this class. However, Niles is the best in the group at retaining possession. He doesn't force the pass into windows, but rather looks to other outlets so his team can keep the ball while heading toward goal. The priority put on retaining possession, even while playing up an age group, is going to make him a favorite among coaches for a long time.     DiMaria is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='283752' first='St.' last='Louis City SC'] Academy. He plays for the club's U17 MLS Next team. He's also eligible for the U16 team. He is right-footed and listed at five-foot-four. He is part of the U.S. U15 Boys Youth National Team. DiMaria is member of the famous St. Louis soccer family. His older sister, Maddie, is the top ranked player in the 2027 class. She is also part of the U.S. U17 Women's National Team. His other sister, Ana, played for Missouri and is one of the top talents in the transfer portal. His brother, Jack, is a freshman at Saint Louis and recently scored both goals in the NCAA First Round victory over Kentucky. Thomas or Tommy is the youngest of the bunch (and possibly could be the best). From watching game film, it's very obvious that he's played against older competition a lot. He prefers to solve problems with his intelligence rather than athleticism. There was a moment in a recent game when he showed off that trait. His team was engaged in the counter-press and DiMaria noticed an outlet that was open for the player on the ball. Rather than run straight into that path, he ran parallel to it and intercepted the pass. Immediately, he sprung the attack for his side with a splitting ball into the feet of the No. 9. These are the traits that make him one of the best midfielders in the country in this class.     Castro is a midfielder from the [program_tooltip program_id='283709' first='New' last='York Red Bulls'] academy. He plays for the club's U17 MLS Next team. He's also appeared for the team's U19 and U15 teams this season. He trained with Red Bull Salzburg over the summer. He is part of the U.S. U15 Boys Youth National Team. He is a left-footed midfielder and listed at five-foot-one. Castro is a unique talent in this ranking. Compared to the other five players, he physically looks like a player who is playing up age groups. However, he doesn't look that way when he is in a duel. He shoves, out-muscles, and gets scrappy in every challenge. He is fearless against players two-three years older than him. The mentality that he has to fight for every challenge is refreshing and certainly something that stands out to scouts. He combines that tenacity with skill and a left foot that can pick a dime off the crossbar. Castro's competitive drive could be a major reason why he ends up as the top ranked midfielder in this class.

The Prep Soccer Boys National Rankings for the 2029 class were released on Monday. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about our ranking process here.