Here is the Players To Watch Team of the Month in July for the New Jersey Region.

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] .

Scroll down for links to our complete national and regional player rankings and TeamRank regional and national standings

Following is the Boys List, in no particular order.

Ben Roth, PDA Keane (NJ), U14, Midfielder: Ben is an intelligent, crafty midfielder who consistently threatened opposing defenses with excellent dribbling skills and field vision. Ben recently scored several key goals in U.S. Club, New Jersey State Cup and FC Delco Cup play.

Andrew Reina, PDA Keane (NJ), U14, Defender: At center back for the PDA Keane squad, Andrew is a strong, athletic defender who helps anchor the Keane’s stingy defense. Ben is extremely difficult to beat 1 on 1, very dangerous in the air and recently provided his squad with several goals from set pieces.

Liam Isola, Soccer Domain FC Gauchos (NJ), U15, Defender:Liam has been a member of the SDFC Gauchos from the team's inception. He is a significant presence in the back at 6'1" and shows his versatility and speed as the Gauchos often use him in the forward attack as an outside left wing. Liam excels both on and off the field as he carries a GPA of over 4.1 with all honors classes as a rising sophomore at Seton Hall Prep.

Daniel Weldon, PDA Harkes (NJ), U16, Forward: Daniel (2012) was the leading scorer at USYSA Region 1 Finals with 4 goals to lead his PDA Harkes team to the Championship final.

Kieran McCarthy, PDA Harkes (NJ), U16, Goalkeeper: Kieran (2013) provided the PDA Harkes with numerous spectacular saves to lead team assure his team a spot in the USYSA Region 1 final game giving up only 3 goals in five games. Kieran was voted Regional’s Team MVP by his teammates.

Andrew Leischner, PDA Harkes (NJ), U16, Center Midfielder: Andrew (2013) orchestrated the midfield tactical plan for PDA Harkes during their USYSA Region 1 run to the finals and provided some key assists and played every minute of all 5 games.

Olaide Yinka Kehinde, LSTS FC Madrid (NJ), U17, Forward: Since Memorial Day, the LSTS FC Madrid U17’s have been impressive scoring a total of 50 goals for and only 10 against. Madrid’s forward, Olaide, has scored and an impressive 18 of those goals leading the team to the US Club Region I Championship. A rising senior, Olaide had 34 goals and 21 assists this past high school season and for his efforts, he has attacked a lot of interest from D1 schools.

Brandon Hudik, LSTS FC Madrid (NJ), U17, Defender: Brandon, a rising junior, led the stingy FC Madrid defense at center back. Gifted on the field as well as in the classroom, Brandon is ranked #1 academically in his high school class and is attracting interest from strong D1 programs. Brandon is a big, strong defender who is excellent in the air and proved to be the anchor for the LSTS FC Madrid defense in winning the US Club Regional Championship.

Kyle Ehrenworth, LSTS FC Madrid (NJ), U17, Midfielder: Kyle – a defensive midfielder helps organize the flow of play between the defense and offensive units for the LSTS FC Madrid. Kyle also proved he has the ability to attack scoring 3 goals in the US Club Regional event to help his team to the championship. Kyle – an original member of the Madrid - also plays for Princeton High school, one of the top soccer programs in New Jersey.

Jason DaSilva, Ironbound SC Inter (NJ), U16, Defender: Captain and central defender for his two time US Club Regional Champion Ironbound SC Inter, Jason is a true leader on the field. He is not only the team’s top defender with many individual and team honors to his credit; he is also a scoring threat as a set piece specialist.

Joshua Liviapoma, Ironbound SC Elite (NJ), U14, Midfielder: Attacking Midfielder Joshua Liviapoma was the top scorer in Super Y League U-14 age group this year with 16 goals in 11 games. Joshua was key to the Ironbound SC Elite U14’s offensive game plan during their runs to the NJYS National Cup Championship and their recent 2011 US Club Regional Championship.

John Rivas, Ironbound SC Elite (NJ), U14, Defender: Central Defender John Rivas is captain for the 2011 US Club Regional Champions Ironbound SC Elite U14’s. The team’s top defender led his defense unit in Super Y League Mid-Atlantic Division to an impressive 5 goals allowed in 11 games.

Evan Marques, Ironbound SC Predators (NJ), U17, Defender: Outside Defender for the two time US Club Regional Champions Ironbound SC Predators, Evan Marques works tirelessly on the pitch motivating his teammates in games and at practices. Evan uses his speed and agility to make numerous runs from the back to work offensively as well as defensively. Has had numerous assists in tight games to pull the team to victory. Has been putting in extra time to improve his game and the hard work has shown on game day.

Connor Flatley, Ironbound SC Predators (NJ), U17, Defender: Connor Flatley, outside defender for the 2011 US Club Regional Champion Ironbound SC Predators U17’s, is focused and extremely composed with the ball. His hard work and dedication to perfecting his play brought his game to a new level defensively, but also offensively where he has provided numerous key assists during the last month of play.

Grant Kelly, FC Copa Juniors (NJ), U14, Central Defender/Defensive Center Midfielder: Grant Kelly, who recently traveled to Italy with the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I ODP Boys '97s, anchored the FC Copa defense as both a central defender and defensive center mid as the team rallied to win the US Club Regional by not allowing any goals against. Grant possesses a very calming experienced maturity,

Oghenetegha "Tegha" Egbiri, FC Copa Juniors (NJ), U14, Central Defender / Attacking Center Midfielder: Tegha continues to be a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the field. Not only was Tegha critical in the defensive stance which blanked the opposition in 4 games with no goals allowed, but he was equally as involved in the offensive end of the field as the team scored 8 goals in 4 games to win the US Club Regional Championship.

Seun Yinka-kehinde, FC Copa Juniors (NJ), U14, Forward: Seun is the prototypical model of what a classic striker should be; technical, tough, tactically savvy who is blessed with blazing speed. Seun was a consistent goalscorer in his team’s U.S. Club Soccer regionals run.
 
Kyle Dennis, FC Copa Juniors (NJ), U14, Goalkeeper: Kyle Dennis lived up to the responsibility of a goalkeeper as he went into a full extension to his left and saved a very well taken penalty kick to keep the FC Copa Juniors 1-0 lead intact as they went on to win the US Club Regional’s this past weekend. Kyle's PK denial was only one of three game saving moments he was responsible for in the championship game.


Following is the Girls List, in no particular order:

Courtney Hendrickson, PDA Arsenal (NJ), U13, Defender: Courtney, center back for the Region I Champion PDA Arsenal anchors a defense that had 4 shutouts at the Region I event. This versatile, offensive minded defender also produced two goals at Regional’s and scored the final PK in the Championship game to win the Region I Championship.

Frankie Tagliaferri, PDA Arsenal (NJ), U13, Midfield/Forward: Frankie Tagliaferri, a versatile player who can score from either the midfield or forward position, sees the field well and excels at getting past defenders and creating chances for the team speed and craftiness on the ball. Frankie scored three goals at Regional’s and nailed her PK in the championship game to help the Arsenal bring home the Region I Championship.

Ghil Joseph, PDA Arsenal (NJ), U13, Midfield/Defender: PDA is tough to beat with their host of talented athletes who can cover multiple positions on the field and Ghil Joseph is no exception. The ‘anchor’ of the PDA midfield, Ghil is an excellent ball distributor but also acts as the first line of defense for the team.

Lucia Surraco, MatchFit Colchesters (NJ), U14, Midfield/Forward:Lucia Surraco scored a dramatic, game-winning goal – her third of the tournament – for the MatchFit Colchesters U14 girl’s squad. Lucia blasted a loose ball past the oppositions diving keeper with only seconds remaining to defeat their arch rival PDA Clash and win the competitive Girls’ Under 14 division 1-0 in an all-New Jersey final at the 2011 US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships in Manheim, PA.

Claire Fitzpatrick, MatchFit Colchesters (NJ), U14, Defense/Midfield: Claire Fitzpatrick who earned Region I U14 Championship MVP honors for the 5-0 Colchesters. Fitzpatrick, an original member of the team that was formed seven years ago, stepped up to play in goal after the Colchester’s goalkeeper was injured. Fitzpatrick, a reserve defender and midfielder, spent the past month learning the challenging goalie position and the novice keeper responded by allowing just three goals while recording three shutouts.

Hana Kerner, MatchFit Colchesters (NJ), U14, Forward: Hana - a striker in her first year with the team - latched onto a through ball and hit a beautiful strike in the Colchesters second game at the Region I event giving the team a 1-0 lead in over FC Stars of Massachusetts. Hana – a fast, tough and very hard working forward – is a welcome new offensive specialist on this talented MatchFit Colchesters now 20-2-3 for their 2011 Spring/Summer campaign.

Casey Garfinkel, MatchFit Colchesters (NJ), U14, Defender: Casey – the Colchesters left full back – showed she’s not only a key defensive presence for the team, but an offensive power as well. A veteran set piece specialist, Casey stepped up during the State Cup final and scored a 25 yard free kick reprising her 30 yard free kick two years earlier to help the Colchesters take the U12 State Cup. Casey is a tough defender who will both play the ball out of the back and go forward.

Meghan McDonald, PDA (NJ), U15, Defender; Zoe Clark, PDA (NJ), U16, Defender; Salina Williford, PDA (NJ), U16, Midfielder: PDA of New Jersey provided three outstanding athletes to the Elite Clubs National League All-Event Teams from the ECNL/PDA College Showcase, which was held May 28-30, 2011 in Zarephath, NJ. Meghan McDonald, a defender from the U15 PDA squad and Zoe Clark, Defender and Salina Williford, Midfielder, both from the U16 PDA squad were selected based upon nominations from coaches and scouts based upon individual and team performances over the course of the three-game event.

Kelsey Tierney, NJSA '04 Storm (NJ), U17, Defender: Kelsey - left back in the NJSA ’04 U17G’s 3-5-2 system - is a technically sound player, a tenacious 1 v 1 defender, and a creative goal scorer who loves to attack from the back. She is a vocal leader of the team always pushing her and her team mates to exceed expectations. She is an anchor in the defense and can be counted on to play a full 90 minutes in almost every match. At US Club Regional’s, she was a vital member to a defense that allowed only 2 goals all weekend and was instrumental in 2 goals scored. Kelsey is a junior in high school and has verbally committed to Iona University.

Elisa DiRenzo, NJSA '04 Storm (NJ), U17, Midfielder: Elisa plays a central midfield position, typically a holding central mid. She is a strong player who tackles hard and prides herself in winning possession of the ball. She is great in the air and very rarely loses an aerial duel. She is adept at taking set pieces and takes most of the corner kicks. Her possession rate is very high and she has a knack for finding the right players on the attack to put her teammates in position to be dangerous. Elisa, a strong leader of this talented NJSA ’04 squad is at every training session ready to work and donates her free time to help train players for her local club.

Gabrielle McKeown, NJSA '04 Storm (NJ), U17, Forward: Gabby – a true U15 - plays up top in a 2 striker formation proving she is an extremely quick and strong player with the technical ability to beat defenders 1 v 1, as well as the mentality to make that happen. At the recent US Club Regional event, Gabby scored 5 goals in 3 games, along with adding 2 assists. Even in the intense heat, she seemed to get stronger and stronger as the games progressed, scoring 2 goals in the last game with her second goal being a set piece blast from 25 yards out placed in the upper 90 on the left side of net.  

Annette Malysa, FC Broncos 94/95 (NJ), U16, Midfielder: Annette Malysa, midfielder for the 2011 US Club Regional Championship winning FC Broncos 94/95 was named Most Valuable Player after the Championship game in Lagrangeville, NY where the talented midfielder organized and controlled the pace of the game leading her team to a 2-0 win and a dominating team performance with 13 goals for and 3 goals against.

Delena Pasquale, FC Broncos 94/95 (NJ), U16, Midfielder: Right midfielder Delena Pasquale is an outstanding midfielder with exceptional field vision, great ball distribution and also is able to provide her team with offense in the big games. During the US Club Regional Championship game, Delena slammed home the first goal of the game off a header in the FC Broncos 2-0 win.

Jennie Hornstra, FC Broncos 94/95 (NJ), U16, Forward: The offensive skills of Jennie Hornstra helped to lead the Broncos Girls U16 to a US Club Regional Championship this July. The talented FC Broncos 94/95 squad and Jennie’s exceptional speed, great goal scoring ability, and willingness to give 100% produced recent Championships at the Central Jersey Invitational, US Club Regional Championship, and the MSSL U16 Girls Spring Challenge Championship.

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