Young forwards, midfielders lead the way in Illinois

The classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Illinois are ripe with attacking players and pivotal midfielders as this group of six forwards and midfielders are talented scorers, distributors and ball handlers who play key roles for their clubs and their schools.   [player_tooltip player_id='102322' first='Piper' last='Bingham'], Forward/Attacking Midfielder, Hinsdale, Class of 2026   Recovering from a broken femur, Bingham got the screws removed from her leg this winter and spent the winter recovering so she could get back on the pitch. She is back with Hinsdale High for the spring high school season in Illinois, and then will be back on the pitch with her club, Evolution SC, this summer. She is excellent in 1v1 attacking situations, as she can twist defenders into knots. She's not just good taking on defenders individually, but is also great creating for her teammates. Whether she's playing as a forward or a No. 10, she can create, she can pass with precision and move off the ball and find space. She is a very dynamic and versatile player.   [player_tooltip player_id='170381' first='Livia' last='Carr'], Forward/Midfielder, Maine South, Class of 2026   Carr is another versatile player who can play up top or in the middle of the pitch. When playing as a forward she shows great tactical awareness. Carr can find space, make effective runs and get in behind the defense. When playing as a No. 10, or as a wide forward, she shows great technical skills, the ability to control the ball, to dribble past defenders and to deliver an accurate pass. She is very fast, she is very agile and because she works so hard and is always wanting to improve, she does not stop working. She's getting more comfortable taking risks, taking more shots and creating more chances, which is only going to make her a bigger threat.   Emily Crotty, Central Midfielder, Victor J. Andrew, Class of 2026   Crotty is an incredibly smart midfielder, and with a high soccer IQ, she can see the pitch well and make good decisions. Focusing on being a team player, on and off the pitch, she leads by example and she is also a very vocal leader. Crotty is also very technically skilled as she is very comfortable with the ball at her feet and moving up field. She's adept at finding her teammates with precise passes. Crotty continues to work extremely hard to get better from a strength and agility standpoint as she is constantly looking to improve. She attends Victor J. Andrew High and plays club for Galaxy SC.   [player_tooltip player_id='105385' first='Callie' last='Hefner'], Central Midfielder, Minooka Community, Class of 2026   Hefner is a sophomore at Minooka Community High and plays club at Galaxy SC for the 2008 GA team. Hefner is a player that shows great ball control and is a very agile, nimble midfielder. She maintains composure when being pressured, and she slows the game down to read the field and make good decisions and key passes. She is a coachable player and strives to work hard, as hard as anyone. Her goal is to play in college and to get there she is focusing on improving her defensive presence in the midfield and she wants to continue to improve her ability to excel on both sides of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='140105' first='Mackenzie' last='Jordan'], Forward, Naperville Central, Class of 2027   Jordan is a freshman at Naperville Central, but is not playing high school this spring as she just started playing club at Chicago Inter for the 2009 ECNL team, and wants to spend the spring becoming familiar with her club and play in Showcases. Jordan is a very ambitious young player, who is already thinking of graduating high school early to enroll in college during the Spring after she graduates and start her playing career after high school. Jordan is a very creative player, very much so in 1v1 situations, but also looking to improve there to be the best she can be. She likes to make things difficult for defenders and do her part in unlocking defenses. She's a very fast player, but knows she needs more than speed. She needs to play quickly and outwork opponents, which she is willing to do. She communicates well and leads by example with how hard she works and trains. Jordan shows the mental fortitude needed to be a success, alleviating the pressure and excelling at big moments. She does not get nervous when it comes time to step up in a big moment. An unselfish player, Jordan wants to show her teammates that she will do what it takes to win and is not out for individual glory.   Kylie Parisi, Forward, McHenry, Class of 2025   The junior in this group, Parisi is looking to lead her high school team at McHenry and to work on being accurate with her shot on goal. She is already a very quick player, with great speed and great footwork. She is also showing an improved ability to read the field and is becoming a very well-rounded forward. She is showing great ability to anticipate her next move before the ball is at her feet. She works hard in practice, outside of practice and does so with the urgency of someone who wants to be the best she can be. Parisi plays club at Northern United FC.

The classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Illinois are ripe with attacking players and pivotal midfielders as this group of six forwards and midfielders are talented scorers, distributors and ball handlers who play key roles for their clubs and their schools.