Best of Boys’ Class of 2026: Southern Piedmont

<p>Following the same format as the article focusing on the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/12/best-of-girls-class-of-2026-southern-piedmont/">Girls' Class of 2026</a>, this article will focus on the boys' best for the class. Even with a long list as this one is, choosing 23 players was very difficult to do. However, the following players are undoubtedly blessed with immense talent and deserve recognition.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeepers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Brendan Urtecho*</td><td>-</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283629' first='Charlotte' last='FC']</td></tr><tr><td>Dominick Perkins</td><td>Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td><em><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/12/best-players-of-the-top-ranked-teams-myers-park-high-school/">Tyler Sinn</a></em></td><td><em>Myers Park High School</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Tyler had to battle against plenty of talented goalkeepers to be considered the best of his class. Tall and imposing, he makes himself a fantastic figure in between the sticks. He's brave, which, with his height, allows him to dominate the box. Even without counting his great reflexes and dives, he locks down his area with ease. Also, he's a game-winner, showing up in crucial moments when his team needs him.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defenders</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/player/cassius-mckinnon/">Cassias McKinnon</a></td><td>Marvin Ridge</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='14277' first='Luis' last='Costales']</td><td>Myers Park High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Cristian Chamorro</td><td>-</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283629' first='Charlotte' last='FC']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='124167' first='Jaydus' last='Camacho']</td><td>-</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283629' first='Charlotte' last='FC']</td></tr><tr><td>Jay Lynch</td><td>Concord High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Nolan Lindahl</td><td>Legion Collegiate Academy (S. Carolina)</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td><em>Kaleb Brown</em></td><td><em>Hickory Ridge High School</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kaleb is a fantastic left-back who can also play as a center-back. Seeing a player as tall as he is be so agile and nimble is entralling to watch. Offensively, this allows him to be an absolute weapon. To his unbelievable dribbling, he also adds great pace. He'll leave players behind him with ease. This, then, allows him to get into positions to create danger. His crosses are just as good as his dribbling. Defensively, he also proves to be formidable. Given his physical attributes, he makes himself hard to beat. Whether through tackles or shielding the ball, he wins possession back constantly. Though his offensive qualities make him a complete full-back with fantastic potential, he also makes a great center back.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midfielders</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Diego Ligorria Buezo</td><td>Ardrey Kell High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='14438' first='Tiancheng' last='He']</td><td>Charlotte Providence Day School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Antonio Castillo</td><td>Christ The King Catholic High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Carter Borman</td><td>Marvin Ridge High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='124188' first='Caleb' last='Starkey']</td><td>-</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283629' first='Charlotte' last='FC']</td></tr><tr><td>Steven Rivas</td><td>-</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283629' first='Charlotte' last='FC']</td></tr><tr><td><em>[player_tooltip player_id='337554' first='Garrett' last='Klopp']</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283392' first='Lake' last='Norman'] High School</em></td><td><em>Fox Soccer Academy</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Garrett is a complete threat in the final third, offering fantastic offensive qualities from behind the attack. Listing all his attributes would be difficult, but to name a few, he's physical, creative, skillful, intelligent, and effective. His physicality allows him to play anywhere in midfield centrally, putting him at an advantage even before he has possession. When he's tasked with creating plays, he pulls off magic. His flair and skill shine when he does so. The way he makes difficult passes look so simple is outstanding. It also highlights his intelligence, beating defenders with these precise passes. His effectiveness inside the box is great, given his finishing. However, his long shots are even better. He slots the ball home from range constantly, again making the impossible look simple.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Attackers</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>School</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Bhargava Gadagottu</td><td>Cox Mill High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Patrik Veteska</td><td>Union Academy</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>Matthew Arango</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283392' first='Lake' last='Norman'] High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283283' first='Charlotte' last='Independence SC']</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='14352' first='Olufemi' last='Ogunwale']</td><td>Myers Park High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</td></tr><tr><td>Isaias Elizalde</td><td>Carson High School</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='283629' first='Charlotte' last='FC']</td></tr><tr><td><em>Cesar Ramirez</em></td><td><em>Cuthbertson High School</em></td><td><em>[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cesar is a left-winger who makes the game look easy with his natural ability. Fast, agile, and skillful, he embarrasses defenders whenever they get near him. This can be seen both in open and tight spaces. In open spaces, he runs at defenders with remarkable confidence. This type of confidence comes naturally to him, allowing him to skip past his markers effortlessly. In tight spaces, especially centrally, he keeps the ball as close as possible while shrugging defenders off like flies. He gets himself out of otherwise difficult situations magnificently. His shooting is another wonderful attribute of his. He has both short and long-range finishing in his locker, as well as powerful and placed shots. Wherever he decides to shoot from, he will make the goalkeeper work to try and deal with it. </p>

Following the same format as the article focusing on the Girls' Class of 2026, this article will focus on the boys' best for the class. Even with a long list as this one is, choosing 23 players was very difficult to do. However, the following players are undoubtedly blessed with immense talent and deserve recognition.