Rankings Analysis: Goalkeepers shine in the sophomore class
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The PrepSoccer National Rankings for the Boys Class of 2025 was released last week. The initial rankings include 105 players with dozens more on the watch list. Learn more about the PrepSoccer rankings process here. Previously, we did a in-depth…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepSoccer National Rankings for the Boys Class of 2025 was released last week. The initial rankings include 105 players with dozens more on the watch list. Learn more about the PrepSoccer rankings process here.
Previously, we did a in-depth look at the players in the 80-105 in the rankings, which included a scouting report on some players that quickly jumped up the rankings in the national list.
This is a look at a handful of the players from 50-80 in the rankings.
There are five goalkeepers in the rankings between 49-80 in the national list. Joshua Grant Joshua Grant GK State #75 Nation FL is one of those in that range. The former South Florida Academy goalkeeper moved over to Inter Miami and looks to have established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in MLS Next in the 07 age group. He has good size, he is athletic, and he is competitive. All of the potential is there for him to develop into a first team level player, which is why U.S. Soccer has identified him as part of the National Team pool. Grant’s decision-making on when to come off his line needs to improve for him to get to that next level. He looks like he second-guesses when to come off the line, but thanks to his athleticism (he is probably the best athlete in this position in this class) and quick reactions he makes up for any slip-up with an even better save. The potential is there for Grant to be a top-ten level player in this class. As long as he continues to make those steady improvements in his game, the sky is the limit.
VanPelt is another goalkeeper in this range in the national rankings. He had a breakout campaign in 2022 that led to a GA Cup Golden Glove winning performance for his Timbers U15 side, which won the championship in that age group. VanPelt showed his quality playing against his own age group, so the club rewarded him with a promotion to the U17 team this season. He is one of the few 07s who is featuring regularly at the U17 level in goalkeeper. He is tall, rangy, and great with his feet. He is excellent at distribution. He is a top prospect from the position.
Sporting KC is a difficult team/club to scout as they like to keep their prospects internal and rosters nonexistent. Cunningham’s been one of the standouts though from early on in the MLS Next campaign. He is a physical center back who is good in the tackle and smart in his decision-making. He was part of the Sporting KC team that won the US Youth Futsal National Championship last season. He will be a player to watch during the upcoming MLS Next events.
Ramey is one of the top ranked players from outside of an MLS academy in the national rankings. He is a 6-foot forward with a dynamic change of pace. He plays as a center forward for the Solar U17 team. He has good footwork for a player of his size. The ball rarely gets caught under his feet. He does well in making runs off the shoulders of defenders and finishing chances when given any room. He has the pace to do well at the next level. He will be an early target for college scouts as he has the foundation to be a great prospect if he elects to go that route.
Highlights
The tall center back from Sacramento had an adventurous offseason. After helping Sacramento Republic U15 team to a terrific campaign at MLS Next Cup, he spent the summer as a guest player with New York Red Bulls Academy – which inlaced a trip to Europe. He returned to Sacramento Republic for the MLS Next season, and has rightfully taken his spot as one of the center backs on the U17 team while playing up an age group. The Republic group is playing a lot of 07s on their U17 team this season, which highlights how strong that team was last season. He has big-time potential and it is easy to see why professional academies from all over the world are asking about his options for the next level.