Next Wave in California: Six 2028s Climbing Recruiting Boards

The depth of talent in the California sophomore class is unreal. There are players who are breaking records on the soccer field and the track. The class is in the spotlight as the June recruitment nears and summer events become the focus for many scouts. Below is a scouting report on six players who have all the potential from this class.    Favour is a center forward for So Cal Blues 2010 ECNL. She has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past year. She previously played for So [program_tooltip program_id='287754' first='Cal' last='Elite'] - she joined So Cal Blues for ECNL postseason last season.   She is one of the most athletic players in California from any class. She plays basketball and competes in track and field for her high school. On the field, she is a force of nature. She has blistering pace and unreal strength. Defenders tend to bounce off her. When she is in the open field, she is unstoppable. There are very few players who are capable to her from recent memory.   Macaulay still has room to grow though. There are moments when it seems like she is forcing the action in one direction rather than assessing the best path for her team. She can be singular focused on attack at full speed at all times. These things work against club level opponents, but are less successful against the best defenders at the college level.   Even with that in consideration, Mcaulay is the player who should be the top priority for a number of programs in California. There's so much potential there and a top program with the history of developing center forwards would be an ideal fit as the sky is the limit for her.     Cortes had a dominant high school season. She was the Moore League Co-Midfielder of the Year, and named to All-CIF South Section for Division 2. She's had a strong season in ECNL too. She plays as defensive midfielder for the Beach FC 2010 ECNL team. She's calm on the ball and clean with her first touch. She is tenacious in the tackle.   Her tactical knowledge stands out as she is typically in the right spot to support her teams and does an excellent job at providing spacing in the midfield trio. Cortes is a savvy player who would do well in a possession-dominant system that relies on a No. 6 who can make quick decisions on the ball.     [player_tooltip player_id='275950' first='Luna' last='Diaz'] is a forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='283405' first='Marin' last='FC'] 2010 ECNL team. She recently had a standout showing at the ECNL Event in Phoenix - she was <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/11/2028-impact-players-fall-ecnl-phoenix-part-1/">also a star in Phoenix during the fall.</a> Diaz has pace to get away from defenders. She is a good finisher with either foot. Her success in Arizona shows she is an elite scorer against top defenders. She is also a playmaker in the attack and sets the table for her teammates.   The aspect of her game that sets her apart from her peers is the furst touch she has against center backs. She is excellent at taking the touch away from the defender and creating enough space to get the shot off. Diaz has the soccer smarts to score at any level of the game.     Varbanov is a center forward for [program_tooltip program_id='283519' first='West' last='Coast FC'] Girls Academy 09. She has been called into US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She is part of the Bulgaria Youth National Team as well. She recently took part in the Girls Academy Generation adidas All-Star Team.   She has the tools to be an elite No. 9, target forward. She has the tall frame, excellent first touch, and ball-striking technique to score from anywhere on the field. She's scored goals consistently at every level, and there's no reason to doubt that will stop any time soon. She's a prolific striker who is getting chances against top competition and showing her quality.     Raymundo is a player currently in the rankings who has impressed quite a bit in recent months. The Girls Academy standout has been on the radar for scouts and earned a spot on the Generation adidas Cup All-Star team.   She is an attacking talent in the midfield. She has excellent close control, a set piece specialist, and the playmaking quality to shine in the No. 10 role. Raymundo was great during Champions Cup for her club side and there is plenty of reason to believe that top level potential will continue to show this summer.     Nuckols is a midfield/defender on the [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] 2010 ECNL team. She also plays ODP at the regional level. She's also an elite runner with big time potential on the track as well. The 1600 and 3200 seem to be her top events.   Nuckols has been playing as an attacking midfielder for her club team. Her pace and graceful striding is unlocked with so much of the field in front of her - it also presents a nightmare for the opposition in trying to track her. There has been a ton of success with long distance runners in that role. She also has a future as a wingback. She's a creative player who likes to be the playmaker for her side. Nuckols has all the potential and athleticism to be a standout on the soccer pitch as well as the track.

The depth of talent in the California sophomore class is unreal. There are players who are breaking records on the soccer field and the track. The class is in the spotlight as the June recruitment nears and summer events become the focus for many scouts. Below is a scouting report on six players who have all the potential from this class.