Rankings Analysis: Midfielders to Know from Illinois’ 2027 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois PrepSoccer state rankings for the Class of 2027 were released this week. The Illinois state rankings consist of players from pretty much every league in the club soccer game. One player among the midfield group that comes in high in the rankings in Gabe Smith. The talented Galaxy playmaker was a miss on the rankings preview article as we had the wrong class for her. Find the scouting report on the top five talent below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/11/updated-2027-illinois-girl-rankings/">full rankings here.</a> Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">our ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["153570"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKangas is a defensive midfielder on the Rush Phenoms 09 team. She was part of the US Youth National Team Talent ID Center in the past. Kangas is a top defensive midfielder. Smart about her positioning and quick to shut down the opposition, she is a key part of the successful Phenoms program. Kangas does get into the attack at times. She can bury a shot with her right foot so teams need to step to her when she is on the ball - if they do, she usually beats them with the pass. She's a complete player and a top midfielder in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["153286"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eHernandez is a midfielder/forward on the Evolution SC 09 ECNL RL team. She was part of the En Fuego team that won the Alianza de Futbol U16 age group in July. She also plays for two Futsal teams. Hernandez is a player who has international level potential. She is an attacking midfielder in nature, but seems to have more of a free role with her club team. She stands out on game film because she just moves like a soccer player. She carries herself on the field with a certain level of swagger and confidence. Her goal against Chicago Rush Phenoms from early November was something special. A quick combination at the top of the box that ended with her burying the shot with her left foot into the corner of the net. She has a terrific left foot and is capable of scoring from within 35 yards. Hernandez is an impactful player at the club level and hopefully she is the type of player who continues to get opportunities against top competition so she can show her quality. She is one of the best players from outside of the ECNL in the region.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["153569"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eRamos is a midfielder on the Rush Phenoms 09 team. She was part of the US Youth National Team Talent ID Center in the past. Ramos is an attacking midfielder who could play as a box-to-box type of midfielder. She is a soccer player, first and foremost, so she could probably play any position on the field. Ramos' quality shines when she is on the ball. Light on her feet, always in control and playing with her head up, Ramos is a boss in the center of the field. She is very skillful with both feet and can dance around defenders. She also has a strong leg and any free kick within 40 yards is normally a shot on goal. Ramos is a top player to watch outside of the normal leagues.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["22176"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eKraai is a midfielder on the Rockford Raptors 08 ECNL team. She plays as a center midfielder - usually attacking - for her club side. I was impressed with her defensive work rate and intensity. She closed distance quickly and put pressure on the ball. She was good in the transition as she got the ball off her feet quickly and look to spring the attack. Kraai has the tools to be a contributor at the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["145059"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eSmith is a midfielder on the Galaxy SC 08 GA team. We had her in the 2026 rankings. She is part of the 2027 class. Smith was a USYS Best XI selection from Nationals. Galaxy made the move to Girls Academy this season and Smith has not slowed down. She has been prolific in the attack for Girls Academy. Smith is a impactful player at the 08 age group with her key passes and excellence from set pieces. Smith is a top talent in this class - we missed her in the rankings preview as we still had the wrong class for her. This has been corrected in the rankings now.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65496768bb18b"} /-->