This week, 50 pro hopefuls are heading to Southern California for the Sueño Alianza National Showcase.

After scouring the country and scouting more than 5,000 players at eight events around the nation, 50 standouts have been selected in the U14, U17 and U20 age groups to play in front of scouts from Liga MX, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League, La Liga and the Mexico National Football Team. From April through September, Alianza events took place in Atlanta, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and El Paso.

Alianza is a program designed to target some of the best Hispanic players around the country, giving them a chance to compete in front of pro scouts.

“We are very excited to kick off the 2019 edition of the Allstate Sueño Alianza National Showcase,” Joaquín Escoto, Managing Partner of BRC Group, owner of Alianza de Futbol, said in a statement. “This is a unique opportunity for the best undiscovered Hispanic soccer talent in the country. Throughout this program, we’re witnesses to incredible talent looking for their opportunity to be discovered.”

This year, the best U14 players will be selected to compete at the ICC Futures tournament in Florida this December. Along with that, the best 18 players at the National Showcase will travel to Spain and compete against some of the top academies in La Liga. All Liga MX teams except two of them are going to scout the event this week. From MLS, FC Dallas, LAFC, LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, Atlanta United, Seattle Sounders, Philadelphia Union and the Chicago Fire are sending scouts. El Paso Locomotive, Sacramento Republic and Orange County SC are expected to attend as well from the USL Championship.

Alianza is perhaps best known for helping launch the career of Jonathan Gonzalez. Born and raised in California, Gonzalez made the well-documented switch from the U.S. to Mexico at the start of 2018.

But it was his experience at Alianza that helped connect him with Monterrey back in 2013. In an interview this week, Gonzalez recalled his expectations heading into the event. A coach with the U.S. youth national teams at the time, Huge Perez tipped Gonzalez off to the opportunity, as he didn't have any high level training opportunities close to home.

“I think it was one of the first tryouts there was and I thought it was going to be nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “But once I got there, seeing all the coaches from the Mexican league, the MLS, seeing all the organizations, seeing how much of an effort they put in, I told myself, ‘wow this is pretty serious.’ I thought that this could be my way out to a professional club.”

After his successful tryout, 13 Liga MX teams showed interest in Gonzalez, who eventually signed with Monterrey that year. He climbed the ladder at the club while playing for U.S. youth national teams, making his debut in Liga MX in 2017.

Drawing from experience, he had some words of advice for the 50 hopefuls that start playing on September 26.

“I’d say go on the field and give it your all,” Gonzalez said. “This is your opportunity to shine…this is your golden opportunity and give it your all and have fun most of all. Take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy.”

PARTICIPATING PLAYERS ALLSTATE SUEÑO ALIANZA NATIONAL SHOWCASE 2019 

1. Alejandro Caracheo, Stockton, CA 

2. Edilson Merlos, Richmond, TX 

3. John Zelaya, Mount Pleasant, TX 

4. Santiago Roman, Petaluma, CA 

5. Nikita Stepanov, Vernon Hills, IL 

6. Marcello Chang, Palo Alto, CA 

7. Jonathan Beltran, Los Baños, CA 

8. Daniel Fregoso, Los Baños, CA 

9. Bryan Salas, El Paso, TX 

10. Dario Osuna, Hermosillo, MX 

11. Celestino Vasquez, Barrington, IL 

12. Marlon Robles, Hermosillo, MX 

13. Christian Mata, Meigs, GA 

14. Victor Adame, Garden City, KS 

15. Issai Ramirez, Edinburg, TX 

16. Johue Damas, Baltimore, MD 

17. Ricardo Guerrero, Phoenix, AZ 

18. Alvaro Nieves, Ukiah, CA 

19. Adan Gonzalez, Nashville, TN 

20. Axel Lozoya, Santa Fe, NM 

21. Fernando Cohate, Bronx, NY 

22. Iker Rodriguez, Brentwood,TN 

23. Miguel Resendiz, Phoenix, AZ 

24. Alejandro Alvarez, San Ysidro, CA 

25. Diego Pepi, Dallas, TX 

26. Mike Prieto, Atlanta, GA 

27. Armando Aguilar, Lewisville, TX 

28. Ezequiel Soto, San Bernardino, CA 

29. Ángel Íñiguez, Daly City, CA 

30. Roberto Silva, Boiling Springs, SC 

31. Misael Gonzalez, Fullerton, CA 

32. Roberto Beltran, San Lorenzo, CA 

33. Juan David Zavala, Grand Rapids, MI 

34. Aidan Tapia, Marieta, GA 

35. Emiliano Salazar, Cypress, TX 

36. Luis Barraza, Greeley, CO 

37. Nicholas Miguel, Magnolia, TX 

38. David Mendoza, Chicago, IL 

39. Oliver Zamora, Redwood City, CA 

40. Nicholas Garcia, Winnetka, CA 

41. Martin Cendejas, Baytown, TX 

42. Santiago Carnalla, Chicago, IL 

43. Ivan Corral, Glendale, AZ 

44. Mathews Tejeda, Alexandria, VA 

45. Ricardo Rogers, Dallas, TX 

46. Henrri Guzman, Houston, TX 

47. Missael Cruz, Maywood, CA 

48. Rafael Gutierrez, Pittsburg, CA 

49. Brian Fructuoso, Queens, NY 

50. Julian Escobar, San Jose, CA