Five Forwards to Know From the New Texas 2030 Boys Rankings

<p>Prep Soccer Texas is proud to release the first-ever version of its 2030 Boys State Rankings. After months of scouting, we're happy to reveal the list of players that made our cut and the rankings we assigned to each of them, based on the potential demonstrated over the last year.</p>   <p>The rankings will continue to be consistently updated so they accurately reflect the progress achieved by players over time and present a clear picture of the Texas landscape, always keeping in mind each prospect's potential to make an impact at the next level.</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/texas/rankings/boys/2030-rankings/">Texas 2030 Boys State Rankings</a></strong></li> </ul>   <p>The new Texas 2030 Boys State Rankings feature 100 players from every corner of the Lone Star State, and we're taking the week to present you with some of the most intriguing names that made the list. These forwards are difference-makers for their teams:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ray is the top-ranked forward on the list and takes third place overall. He will join the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] Academy in the MLS Next League in the next club season. An extremely well-rounded attacking player, he combines good size, excellent positioning, and confidence on the ball to make an impact on the final third. A center forward, he's very mobile with how he plays the role, often dropping and drifting wide to get on the ball. Ray is a constant threat in the final third, working well with his back to the goal and keeping opponents under pressure with his runs in behind. His excellent positioning often puts him in good spots to get chances and he's excellent at converting them, showing impressive calm in front of the goal.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DWkQTs1jIuE/?img_index=2 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Syed is third among the forwards and ninth overall in Texas. He plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] Academy in the MLS Next League. He's a highly productive forward who registered 26 goals last season despite missing significant time due to injury. His positioning inside the box is excellent and gives him many opportunities to score every time he steps on the field. Even though that's one of his strengths, Syed offers a lot more than just goalscoring, also having a big role in the team's playmaking. Capable of playing as a center forward and on both wings, he's an excellent dribbler and uses his body very well to shield the ball, making it hard for opponents to dispossess him.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/03/2J4A0085_05507d.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-353655" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Mendez was picked as the eighth-best forward in Texas and took 28th place overall in our selection. He leads the line for the [program_tooltip program_id='283658' first='Houston' last='Rangers'] in the MLS Next League. He scored 16 goals last season and was the focal point of his team's offense, showing impeccable positioning inside the box and an impressive ability to finish chances. Mendez is excellent inside the box, always finding ways to get to the end of crosses and showing great composure to finish chances, many times needing only a single touch to get the ball into the back of the net. His work with his back to the goal is also very good and gets his teammates involved, and he's also lethal from the penalty kick spot, rarely missing one.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DPxLYlvkTix/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Galarza is ranked 20th in Texas among the forwards and appears in 67th place overall in the state. A Puerto Rican youth international, he represents GFI Academy in the MLS Next League and will be part of Cy-Fair's high school team. A center forward, Galarza is lethal in front of the goal, showing great composure and confidence to finish chances. He knows his way inside the penalty box, often moving into good spots to be an option for his teammates, but also can create his own chances with smart runs behind the backlines and quick turns and moves to beat defenders in the final third.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DY21DoKveXL/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Abarca made it to our Watchlist. The forward plays for La U - USA out in El Paso. A quick and dynamic attacking player, he's a constant threat out wide, using his pace and dribbling to beat opponents and make plays. Abarca also shows excellent vision in the final third and can set plays up with smart passes that catch opponents out of position. He's also got solid finishing skills, showing vision and confidence in front of the goal to send the ball out of opposing goalkeepers' range with well-placed shots into the corners.</p>   <p><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPMz7UIj_S8Zqrutq6tfMSD-9G5MKK9HGgMt9w0/">Highlights</a></strong></p>

Prep Soccer Texas is proud to release the first-ever version of its 2030 Boys State Rankings. After months of scouting, we're happy to reveal the list of players that made our cut and the rankings we assigned to each of them, based on the potential demonstrated over the last year.