Motivated Missouri Talent who will breakout in 2026

Missouri is one of the most talent-rich areas in the country for youth soccer. There are countless clubs with history of successful player development. Next year, there will be even more key players to emerge from the state.    Below is a look at a list of players who could break out during the new year.     Callender is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='321167' first='Union' last='KC'] 2010 Girls Academy. She can also play as forward. She's excellent playmaker. She's an attacking midfielder in her style. She's got good vision and excellent passing range. She displays a lot of patience in her play. She waits for passing lanes to open and she's calm on the ball to keep control of the pace of the game. Callender's strength might be overlooked, but she rarely loses a duel and every game it seems like there is a defender who just bounces off of her. Callender has been identified as part of the Missouri ODP team and highlighted as a top talent in the state for some time. She's continued to impress this season and looks to be among the best midfielders in the state.      Sims is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='320266' first='Missouri' last='Rush'] ECNL team. She is a Missouri State commit. She is also part of the Missouri ODP team. Sims is a super athletic attacking talent who can do it all. She was dominant at the high school level last season. She is a right footed, but fully capable of scoring with her left. Sims feels like a player who is going to elevate her game at the next level. She's got all the tools to be an impactful player at the Division I level immediately. Her pace of play - especially her decision-making - is an elite attribute that should help her earn early playing time. Sims is a talent who should be in for a big 2026.      Jones is a goalkeeper on the St. Louis DA 2010 GA. She is part of the Midwest ODP team. She is a fearless goalkeeper. She will throw her body on the line to block a shot. Jones has excellent footwork before the shot. She does well moving side-to-side and keeping good balance in order to make the effort on the block. I would like Jones to continue to work on her quality on high shots and crosses. She tends to punch away on the high effort, the next step feels like securing the shots and making the controlled save. Jones has all the talent to be among the top goalkeepers in this class in Missouri.      Weathersby is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='320266' first='Missouri' last='Rush'] ECNL team. She is a box-to-box or defensive midfielder. She shines as an all-around player who gives full effort and commitment. She is a smart player and makes great movement off the ball. Some of her best highlights come in the press. She identifies where the next pass is going and baits the opposition into playing the ball so she can cut it out. Her cleverness and quick thinking sets up a ton of chances for her team in the transition moments. Weathersby is a versatile player who can impress with her great all-around game. She's going to be a key piece for the Rush team in 2026.      Rose is a defender on the [program_tooltip program_id='321167' first='Union' last='KC'] GA team. She has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She plays outside back, right back. She is a two-way player. She has the physical tools to be a lockdown defender. She's strong, moves her feet well, and can be dominant in aerial duels. Rose is also an asset in the attack. She's comfortable on the ball and does well with her passing. She's quick to find the outlets and get the ball off her feet. She has the engine to get up and down the touchline. Rose has unlimited potential and should continue to attract the interest of scouts in 2026.      Benoist is a center midfielder on the St. Louis DA 2009 GA team. She is a part of the 2027 recruiting class for Missouri State. She's got the engine to be a starting midfielder at the college level. She covers a ton of ground and seemingly doesn't stop until the final whistle. There's a clip on her highlights from over a year ago when she is starting on her half and sprints the whole field to finish off a chance for her team. Benoist comes from a soccer family and that competitiveness certainly shines. She brings all the key characteristics to be a key player at a top college program.      Brand is a midfield/forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='320266' first='Missouri' last='Rush'] ECNL-RL team. She's on the ODP Midwest Region Team. She was also Heartland All-Conference in ECNL RL (as part of SLSG Illinois). She's five-foot-eight and uses her height well. She posts up defenders and spins off of them. She has the speed to get behind the defense. She's got good skill on the ball and knows how to play to her strengths. Brand has excellent ball striking technique. She can bury a shot from over 30 yards out into the top corner of the net. She is one of the top talents in the country in the ECNL RL, and should be on the radar for Division I coaches looking for gems in the 2028 class.

Missouri is one of the most talent-rich areas in the country for youth soccer. There are countless clubs with history of successful player development. Next year, there will be even more key players to emerge from the state.

Below is a look at a list of players who could break out during the new year.

Morgan Callender

MO #33

M/F #16

HEIGHT 5'5"

POS M/F

CLASS 2028

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Morgan Callender

State: Missouri

School: Lee's Summit North

Club: Union KC

Callender is a midfielder on the Union KC 2010 Girls Academy. She can also play as forward. She's excellent playmaker. She's an attacking midfielder in her style. She's got good vision and excellent passing range. She displays a lot of patience in her play. She waits for passing lanes to open and she's calm on the ball to keep control of the pace of the game. Callender's strength might be overlooked, but she rarely loses a duel and every game it seems like there is a defender who just bounces off of her. Callender has been identified as part of the Missouri ODP team and highlighted as a top talent in the state for some time. She's continued to impress this season and looks to be among the best midfielders in the state.

Highlights

Kennedi Sims

F/M

HEIGHT 5'5"

POS F/M

CLASS 2027

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Kennedi Sims

State: Missouri

School: Sikeston Senior

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Scarlett Jones

POS GK

CLASS 2028

Scarlett Jones

Club: St. Louis DA 2010 GA

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Elle Weathersby

HEIGHT 5'10"

POS M/F

CLASS 2027

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Elle Weathersby

State: Tennessee

School: St. George's Independent School

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Nadia Rose

POS D

CLASS 2028

Nadia Rose

Club: GA

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Josie Benoist

MO #WL

M/F #WL

HEIGHT 5'5"

POS M/F

CLASS 2027

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Josie Benoist

State: Missouri

School: St. Joseph's Academy

Benoist is a center midfielder on the St. Louis DA 2009 GA team. She is a part of the 2027 recruiting class for Missouri State. She's got the engine to be a starting midfielder at the college level. She covers a ton of ground and seemingly doesn't stop until the final whistle. There's a clip on her highlights from over a year ago when she is starting on her half and sprints the whole field to finish off a chance for her team. Benoist comes from a soccer family and that competitiveness certainly shines. She brings all the key characteristics to be a key player at a top college program.