Six Elite 2028 Defenders Poised for Pro-Level Trajectories

The Prep Soccer Boys National 2028 Rankings were updated this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/national/rankings/boys/2028-rankings/">the new rankings here</a>. Learn <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">more about the ranking process here</a>.   Here is a scouting report on six players who have the potential to reach the professional game from the defensive position.     Nystrom is an MLS Next All-Star, member of the U.S. Youth National Team, and the top ranked prospect from the [program_tooltip program_id='283720' first='Portland' last='Timbers']. This certainly feels like the last season for Nystrom to play in MLS Next. He is featuring with the Timbers U19 team this season. The six-foot-two, right-footed center back has pretty much reached and achieved everything there is at an individual level for the club game. He should be getting more opportunities against professional competition in 2026. Nystrom's strengths are reading the game, composure on the ball, and versatility. Nystrom is getting playing time at both right and left center back this season. Timbers are also playing through him a lot. He is being tasked with handling the pressure in the build-up and making decisions on the ball. The repetitions are paying off and making him into more of a complete defender who should be ready for the next step in his career.     Mulvenna is a defender from the Philadelphia Union Academy. He is a member of the U.S. U16 Boys Youth National Team - he wore the captain's armband for the team during the most recent games. He previously played for the New York Red Bulls Academy. Mulvenna's best attribute is his distribution, which shined at the international stage recently. He is a terrific passer for the position and proved that against international competition in October. He has shown for Union's youth teams that he can do that at the MLS Next level. He finds his teammates with accurate passes consistently, which is a valuable piece of their system. Mulvenna is an unforgiving tackler and leaves his mark on the game with his competitive spirit. He's in the right environment to propel his game forward and hopefully reach the highest level.     Antongirolami is a center back from the [program_tooltip program_id='283750' first='Sporting' last='Kansas City'] Academy. He is left-footed and six-foot-one. He is part of the U.S. U16 Boys Youth National Team. He is playing for his club's U19 team this season in MLS Next. Antongirolami's best attribute is his intelligence and tactical astuteness. He is a student of the game and the international experience is setting him up for a long career. One of the key aspects of the center back position is processing when to step up and when to drop off, Antongirolami is one of the best at the youth level in this regard. He also does an exceptional job in setting the line for the offside trap. When he has been available for Sporting, he's been a star of the side. He has a bright future at the club and international level.     Lester is a right back on the FC Cincinnati Academy. He is also part of the Jamaica Youth National Team. He has made one appearance with the FC Cincinnati 2 team. The skill that sets Lester apart from his peers at outside back is his pace. It's elite and probably the reason that the professional pathway is his near future. He can make up ground in a hurry and it shows at the youth level when he breezes past players. It would be in the best benefit of the opposition to not even try his side of the field considering they won't get behind him. Lester needs to round out other aspects of his game especially in possession under pressure, but that game-breaking pace is going to get him onto the big stage in the near future.     Leon is a left back who plays for the Timbers U17 MLS Next team. He has been called into the U.S. Youth National Teams in the past. Leon stands out for his two-way play. He is a sturdy outside back who uses his quick feet to win tackles and poke the ball away from the opposition. He's good in 1v1 situations with his strength and lower body control. Leon likes to join the attack and can break down the opposition off the dribble or through his passing. He is one of the most promising outside backs in the Northwest.     Pierce is an outside back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283752' first='St.' last='Louis City SC'] Academy. He can play on either side of the formation. He's right footed. He is playing for his club's U17 team this season in MLS Next. He is a full-throttle outside back who likes to get forward. He uses his speed and skill to play quick combinations with his midfielders and get behind the defense. He is an active player who sees a lot of touches in every game - his actions per game are always among the highest on his team. Pierce is a solid defender in 1v1 situations and has been a key piece of the stellar [program_tooltip program_id='283752' first='St.' last='Louis City SC'] Academy.

The Prep Soccer Boys National 2028 Rankings were updated this week. Check out the new rankings here. Learn more about the ranking process here.