Rankings Preview: Eight New Names to the California 2028 Ranking

The Prep Soccer California 2028 Ranking will be updated this month. Prior to the refreshed list for the sophomore class, take a look at eight players who will be included the first time in this ranking.    Ibsen is not a new name to Prep Soccer, but had been lost in the shuffle in the rankings. The Northern California midfielder previously played in the boys league, MLS Next. She's now playing in ECNL with MVLA 2010, one of the best teams in the nation and the three-time champions for the conference.    Ibsen is a gifted player who can dominate the game with the ball at her feet. She's competing for the spotlight in a star-studded squad that includes Youth National Team plays in nearly every position.    Ibsen's pace of play stands out. She can handle the frantic game just as well as keeping the tempo of the game under her control. She is good on the ball and can beat players off the dribble. She's an excellent passer and does well checking her shoulders before receiving the ball. She is a good finisher from distance as well. She has shown the quality to score from outside of the box.    There are moments where it feels like she can take over the game more and be more commanding with her actions. Ibsen tends to lift teammates in a playmaking role, which makes her an asset for any side. She's at her best in a defensive or box-to-box in a deep playmaking role. She'd be an ideal fit for a possession-dominant style of play with a veteran leadership partnership established in the midfield to support her growth at the next level. She's got the quality and soccer smarts to be a professional player in the future.      Phan is another name who was previously featured on Prep Soccer, but did not make the last rankings update. She is a versatile defender who can do a bit of everything and play in any role. She is best at outside back. The MVLA defense is a who's who of the best players in Northern California, but Phan continues to make a case to be among the top talent. There is little drop off from her and the Youth National Team players who start on the squad. She is calm and confident on the ball. She's a strong 1v1 defender. There is a well-rounded aspect to her game that suggests she could fit into any style of play for programs looking for a versatile defender from the 2028 group who could feature early on in her career.     Xiong is a center forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='283646' first='FC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']'] 2010 ECNL team. She can play on the wing as well. She's a multi-sport athlete (basketball and track). Soccer is her main focus, but she is a decorated athlete in the other sports as well.    Xiong is comfortable playing with her back to the goal in the No. 9 role. She is strong on the ball and uses her body well - it feels like some of the aspects that made her a star on the basketball court shine in that role as well. She's efficient with her touches. She rarely wastes a touch and always knows where she is going with the ball before receiving it.    She is also a weapon in the press. Her quickness in shutting down passing lanes is a real weapon. She creates chances with her effort on the defensive side of the ball. She's also fiercely competitive and has no fear getting stuck into a challenge or sliding in for a tackle.    There is a lot of potential with Xiong's game to suggest she will be an elite scorer at the next level.      Lee is a winger on the [program_tooltip program_id='283646' first='FC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']'] 2010 ECNL team. She was previously featured on Prep Soccer for her goal-scoring exploits. She is excellent as a two-way player. [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] is willing to switch off when the outside back pushes up and leave Lee as a the replacement to keep the balance. She is a smart player off the ball- focused, alert, and always on the move. Lee reads her teammates and figures out where to be to cut out the next pass. She is a clever player who is an asset for her team with her decision-making.    She's nifty on the ball with her quick footwork and close control. Lee is capable of being the game-breaking talent in the final third that every coach is looking for among the wingers.      Iffla is a defender on the [program_tooltip program_id='283646' first='FC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf']'] 2010 ECNL team. She previously played for WSC Crush in MLS Next, a boys team - and played for MVLA 2010 ECNL in the Girls ECNL playoffs last season. Iffla can play as a center back or outside back. Her highest ceiling is in the center back role. She is an excellent passer who plays with her head up. She is right footed and comfortable at breaking the pressure off the dribble. She is an asset in progressing the ball up the field with her decision-making on the ball - she previously played as a defensive midfielder in the ECNL RL for WSC. Iffla is a player who loves the game, and has a future in a number of different roles. Her versatility and well rounded game makes her an exciting prospect from the talented 2028 group.     Giovannone is a defender on the Beach FC 2010 ECNL team. She previously played for [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] Koge and [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] at the ECNL level. She plays right center back for Beach, she is capable of playing in the midfield as well. The versatility is there as a player, but the higher ceiling is at center back. Her value in the build-out phase of the game really shines at center back - she pushes the ball up the field off the dribble and does a good job drawing in the opposition before making the pass. Defensively, she crushes forwards in the tackle. She's strong with good technique in the duel. Giovannone has the physical tools to be an early starter at the next level.     Jaksic is a defender on the [program_tooltip program_id='283389' first='LA' last='Breakers'] 2010 ECNL team. She previously played for Beach FC in the ECNL RL. Jaksic moved to Breakers this season and has quickly thrown her name into the conversation as one of the best left backs from the ECNL Southwest. She's an energetic player who might be best as a wingback. She's right footed, but she looks at home at left back. She is a quick player who relies on her speed to best the opponent in 1v1 situations. She baits attacking players to cut inside so she can play off her strong foot. She uses her body well in duels - even though she might not be the biggest or strongest player in her role, she still wins these 1v1 situations consistently with her smarts. Jaksic is a weapon for her team in the attack too. She's got a lot of quality on the ball and can beat players with her charging first step and elusive change of direction. She is a top player to watch among the outside backs rising in this class heading toward June.     Biehl is a goalkeeper for [program_tooltip program_id='283389' first='LA' last='Breakers'] 2010 ECNL and Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) varsity. She was difficult to deny for her impact. She was previously featured on Prep Soccer as a standout in her position during an ECNL event. She has continued to be that big time talent as a shot stopper. She is capable of making the acrobatic save as consistently as any other keeper in this class. She thrives in the high activity of the role. She likes the action of facing shots and being the dependable option in goal.

The Prep Soccer California 2028 Ranking will be updated this month. Prior to the refreshed list for the sophomore class, take a look at eight players who will be included the first time in this ranking.