Here is the Players To Watch Team of the Month in August for the Midwest region (Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin).

Remember, this feature is to honor top performers in their region over the past month or so and across the span of age groups. There will be a boys' list and a girls' list, and a new region will be covered every weekday, Tuesday through Friday of each month. You can submit nominations at [email protected] .

Following is the Boys List, in no particular order.

Peter Beasley, Chicago Fire, U18 (IL), Defender: Was selected to the Academy Central Conference Starting XI. Peter played and started 25 games, team captain

Jeff Gal, Sockers FC Chicago U18 (IL), Goalkeeper: Was selected to the Academy Central Conference Starting XI. Jeff played in 17 games and had 7 shutouts

Fernando Aquirre, Chicago Magic U15 (IL), Midfielder: Scored 2 goals in one game at the U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals.

Christian Hancock-Barhenu, Chicago Fire Juniors, U15 (IL), Midfielder: Awarded the “Golden Ball” at U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals for being the top field player at his age group. Christian scored 2 goals during the tournament to help his team to a National championship.

James Barkei, Chicago Fire Juniors, U15 (IL), Goalkeeper: Awarded the “Golden Glove” at USYSA Nationals for being the top goalkeeper of his age group. James had 2 shutouts during the tournament.

Brentsen Wolf, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro U14 (IL): Brentsen scored the game winning goal to claim the national championship in the last 10 minutes of the finals of the National Cup X in Boise, Idaho

Anthony Brown, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro, U14 (IL), Forward: Anthony scored 2 goals in the finals of the National Cup X in Boise, Idaho to help win the championship.

Jack Shaw, Bavarian Soccer Club, U14 (WI), Midfielder: Jack was selected to participate in the U14 National Camp

Luka Prpa, North Shore United, U14 (WI), Midfielder: Luka was selected to participate in the U14 National Camp

Getenet Worku, Minnesota Thunder Academy, U16 (MN), Forward: Getenet scored in the National tournament.

Nick Gaines, Chicago Magic, U14 (IL), Defender: Nick led the defense on his team at the USYSA Nationals by not only stopping other opponents, but being able to connect well to his teammates with his passes. Nick was also good in the air.

 

Following is the Girls List, in no particular order:

Crystal Thomas, Sockers FC Chicago, U17 (IL), Forward: Crystal scored the winning goal at the USYSA National Tournament in her first game of the tournament.

Caroline Brockmeier, Eclipse Select, U14 (IL), Goalkeeper: Scored winning goal in U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals game on a free kick.

Kayla McCoy, Eclipse Select U14 (IL), Forward: Kayla scored 4 goals during the U.S. Youth Soccer National tournament to become the top goal scorer at her age group.

Katie Naughton, Sockers FC Chicago, U17 (IL), Defender: Katie did an outstanding job setting up her teammates and making forward runs as well as defending against some of the best players in the nation.

Zoe Swift, NSA Premier Fury, U17 (IL), Forward: Awarded the “Golden Ball” at U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals for being the top field player at her age group. Zoe scored 3 goals during the tournament.

Lauren Sajewich, Eclipse Select, U16 (IL), Midfielder: Had a strong showing at the ECNL Nationals in Colorado.

Jordan Ginter, NSA Premier Fury, U17 (IL), Goalkeeper: Awarded the “Golden Glove” for being the top goalkeeper of her age group at U.S. Youth Soccer nationals. Jordan only had 1 goal against for the entire tournament.

Cara Walls, FC Milwaukee, U18 (WI), Forward: Cara was the top goal scorer at U.S. Youth Soccer nationals for her age group scoring 4 goals.

Taylor Schissler, Eclipse Select, U16 (IL), Defender: Free kick specialist played well for her team at ECNL Nationals in Colorado.

Monica Gonyo, FC Milwaukee, U18 (WI), Goalkeeper: Monica helped her team win the U.S. Youth Soccer championship by allowing only 3 goals against during the tournament and having 2 shutouts.

Hannah Kernen, Madison 56ers, U18 (WI), Midfielder: Hannah was named Wisconsin Coaches Players of the Year for the spring high school season. She will play her college soccer at Wisconsin-Green Bay.

PLAYERS TO WATCH RANKINGS:

Boys Top 100: 2012 | 2013

Girls Top 100: 2012 | 2013

Regional Top 20: Boys | Girls

You can also track our 192 regional and 12 national standings for TeamRank, our one of a kind seasonal rankings competition.

TEAMRANK RANKINGS: Boys | Girls