Rankings Analysis: Michigan's Talented 2027 Midfielders

The Prep Soccer state rankings for Michigan's 2027 class were released last week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/michigan/rankings/girls/2027-rankings/">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the rankings process here</a>.   Below is a scouting report on some of the midfielders from this rankings class.    Cottingham is a top, top talent in this class. The Liverpool Michigan midfielder has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past, and should continue to get looks from the Youth National Team scout. She combines soccer intelligence, skill, and rock-solid resolve. Cottingham's game film shows a player who understands the tactical role of her position as well as any player at the youth level. She pops up on game film all the time for making the right play. She checks her shoulders before receiving the ball - she fully grasps the importance of scanning the field and knowing where her teammates and opponents are. She is excellent at retaining possession for her side. Her decision-making tends to rely on safety, but she can ping the pass that splits the defense for a chance on goal too. And she is capable of hitting that pass with either foot. Cottingham is one of the best talents to come out of the Liverpool Michigan program in recent years.      Peterman is an attacking midfielder/forward on the Michigan Hawks 09 ECNL. She is a dual sport athlete as she is also a standout on the track. Peterman's pace from the track translates onto the field as an energetic, dynamic attacking talent who is often a target for her late charging runs into the box to get on the end of crosses. She has quick feet and dances past tackles around the box. Peterman has star potential and could impact the game in a variety of ways thanks to her pace.      Misra is a midfielder for the Hawks 09 ECNL team. She is a skillful player who is a menace for the opposition. She glides through tackles and looks graceful taking on clumsy challenges. She  is right footed. She has a good first touch. The passing part of her game is the star. She is a playmaker through the center channel and finds great pockets of space to operate in. Misra is a key catalyst for the Hawks attack.      Midfielder on the Midwest 08 ECNL team. Box-to-box. Had a bad first touch with pressure on her back. Could improve in using her body to create space. Did well in controlling the ball as the outlet on a throw-in. Plays with her head up and surveys options quickly. Light on her feet. Quickly adjusts to passes off target. Made some plays defensively. Used her body to shield players off the ball.      Barretto plays in the center of the midfield for the Michigan Hawks Magic 09 ECNL. She can be a No. 8 or a No. 6. She has a lot of traits that suggest she will be a star in her role for a long time. Her movement off the ball when her team is in possession reveal a player who is clearly always playing the game a move or two ahead of where the ball clearly is. She does well adjusting her body to see more of the field before receiving the ball. Barretto had a number of standout moments from the ECNL National Event in Arizona.     Midfielder for Liverpool Michigan 09 ECNL. Physical player who is often in duels in the center of the field. Uses feints and fakes well to create space and delay defenders. There's a maturity to her game - either she's played against older players often or been coached very detailed for her position. It works for her. Decision-making on the ball impressed me. She's got the smarts to be a key contributor for the next level early on in her career.

The Prep Soccer state rankings for Michigan's 2027 class were released last week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about the rankings process here.