Rodriguez earned a spot on our Watchlist. The center back captains HTX in the ECNL League and is set to join Porter for the high school season. He’s an important piece in his team’s backline, leading them with strong plays and solid communication. Rodriguez makes the most of his positioning and his ability to read the game, often stepping up to stop plays and intercept passes around the penalty box, but he also thrives in physical duels. He’s very comfortable on the ball, often attempting passes through opposing pressing lines, and can be a weapon with powerful, well-placed shots in set pieces.

Rodriguez scored the game-winning goal in a play in which he fired a great shot, but was also a bit lucky. He anchored his team’s backline, playing as right-sided center back for most of the time and in the center of their back three when they switched systems. Rodriguez was very solid defensively, reading the game well and stepping up to intercept passes and making good stops in duels. The defender also contributed in possession, hitting accurate long balls out of the back and breaking Rise’s lines of press with direct passes through the center.