The summer of 2016 has officially begun following the TDS Unsigned Showcase in Los Angeles, California. Top programs from Southern California and across the country came out to work with some incredibly talented boys from clubs such as Pateadores, Arsenal, Corinthians, and many more. Below are just some of the players who caught the eye of our team and college coaches.

Interested in playing in front of college coaches and earning a spot on a TDS Unsigned Showcase Best XI list? Check out all of the information on upcoming events.

TDS Unsigned Showcase Los Angeles Boys Best XI:

GK Jacob Mays, Las Vegas SA (2018): Mays is a quality goalkeeper who not only looks the part but plays it as well. He has quick feet and strong hands. Throughout the day, Mays consistently made confident saves and controlled his back line. He has good overall size and is good with his feet. As a 2018, Mays is definitely a keeper worth watching.

D Tanner Knorr, Corinthians (2017): Knorr was the strongest tackler of the day. He is very good in transition and recovering in defense. On the day, Knorr was the best 1v1 defender and showed strong athletic abilities. Knorr constantly worked for his teammates, both on and off the ball. He also showed versatility when stepping up in to the center of midfield.

D Gabriel Herrera, California Rush (2018): Herrera was the most consistent player in all elements of the showcase. He is calm and cool under pressure while also having great athletic attributes. He has a balanced skill set with a great soccer IQ that allows him to use all of the tools in his bag. He is excellent defensively, rarely getting beat 1v1. When he did lose a battle, Herrera was quick enough to get back goal side. Herrera constantly impacted the game, no matter what area of the pitch he was in. To cap the day, Herrera scored a great goal from distance in the 11v11 game.

D Ryan Ruvalcaba, West Coast FC (2017): Ruvalcaba showed he has multiple tools in his bag throughout the event. Key to his style of play is an excellent engine. Ruvalcaba constantly made recovery after recovery run with almost no lapse in pace or visible fatigue. He is stout in his defending, and is always willing to track back to cover his fellow defenders.

D Steven Poole, Desert United (2018): Poole is your prototypical defensive rock. He is very strong in a tackle and a beast in 1v1 defending situations. He showed decent feet and excellent strength. Although not the tallest player, Poole is no slouch in physical duels and is an expert at delaying attacks until support is available. When on the ball, he can play an accurate pass and consistently plays the simple, smart ball away from pressure.

M David Johnson, FC Golden State (2019): Johnson embodied the all-around team player on the day. He was influential on both sides of the ball but looked best when moving play out of the back and in to attack. Johnson consistently keeps the game simple and could easily fly under the radar, however his first touch passing and accuracy mean he can become a key player moving forward.

M Nicolas Mancilla, FC Golden State (2019): Mancilla is a young but gifted player. He is best when he is on the ball and expressing his technical prowess. Mancilla showed an advanced soccer IQ for his age, constantly reading the play and anticipating where things would move. He is an intelligent player who truly stands out on the pitch. He makes the game look simple.

M Eduardo Escobedo, Houston Express FC (2016): Escobedo has a great left foot and an exceptional eye for a penetrating pass. He has the ability to find teammates in the final third to create scoring chances. Escobedo is very good in tight spaces and is incredibly comfortable on the ball. He can become a well-rounded college player if he continues to add strength to his already incredibly strong technical skills.

F Kian Meyer, Albion SC (CA) (2017): Meyer was deceivingly strong on the ball and in possession. He is decisive when looking to go forward. Throughout the day, Meyer showcased some good 1v1 skills with his left foot and his ability to change directions, especially when cutting inside. His play in the small-sided games earned attention, but his spot in this Best XI was cemented with a great individual goal in the full sided game.

F Ali Deeb, Arsenal FC (CA) (2016): Deeb is an extremely savvy and creative individual, especially in 1v1 situations. He is very strong on the dribble. Throughout the day, Deeb showed excellent ability to play with both feet. At the event, it was very rare for Deeb to go up against an opponent in a 1v1 situation and not come out on top. He is always willing to try new things and force his opponents to make mistakes.

Honorable Mention

GK Nicholas Lapinid, Eagles SC (CA) (2017): Lapinid is a keeper that fits the mold of the “modern goalkeeper.” He is athletic, very good with his feet, and showed a good soccer IQ. Lapinid can continue to work on the fundamentals of the position, but he has a great foundation moving forward. With diligent work, Lipinid can become a quality well-rounded keeper.

D Manuel Madrigal, Inland Empire Surf (2017): Madrigal is a versatile defender who can be deployed in multiple positions on the back line. He is smart with his first touch, often taking open space to relieve pressure. Madrigal can continue to work on positioning and understanding when to step to hold up an attack and when to drop off. He can be a very useful player moving forward as he continues to improve.

D Gordon Shepherd, FC Golden State (2019: Shepherd is a young defender who has raw talent and love for the game. He is easy to work with and is always willing to put in the extra effort for his team. Often during the event, Shepherd could be found making a hard run to provide cover for his fellow defenders. As he continues to grow and use his body in physical duels, Shepherd will mature in to a quality player.

M Hector Mestre, Valley United SC (CA) (2016): Mestre is a versatile attacker who can take up any role across the midfield or front lines. He can use some refinement, but could also definitely slot in to a college program who loves a rotation based system. Mestre should continue to work on his technical attributes to take his game to the next level, but he is a quality player.

M Mateo Donelly, Fusion FC (2018): Donelly is a talented attacker who has loads of potential. He has a great left foot, can pick out a cross from a variety of angles, and also showed tidy finishing skills in and around the box. In a challenging enviornment, Donelly showed great communication skills and potential leadership skills. He is a great one to watch moving forward.

F Stephen Sweet, Chelsea SC (CA) (2019): Sweet is a very young, smart player who has great potential. He brings a lot of things to an attack, including a strong soccer IQ and willingness to bring teammates in to attack. To continue to improve and take his game to the next level, Sweet can continue to improve his overall strength to keep possession and his verbal communication.

F Salvatore Ammirata, Inland United Brasil SC (2017): Ammirata is a sneaky attacker who can tend to fly under the radar until he pops up around the box. He had clean finishes in the training sessions and small sided games. Ammirata has a good first touch, and a knack for anticipating where a play will end up. If he continues to improve, he will mature in to a quality college level player.

F Joey King, Coachella Valley SC (2019): King is another young player out of this event who has great potential. He is a smart attacker who understands the game and brings his teammates in to play well. As with most players his age, he needs to continue to improve his strength and understanding of when and how to use his body during play. Once he adds that, and as he continues to improve his technical ability, King will become a useful player.

F Nathan Tatum, Inland United Brasil SC (2016): Tatum is at his best when running towards goal and playing in the box. He has quick feet and a good first touch. To compete at the next level, he will need to add a bit more strength and vision to bring teammates in. That being said, he has the talent and tools to be a quality utility attacker.

M Jason Ohanaga, N/A (2019): Ohanaga was one of the best athletes at the event. He ran up and down the wing for over 70 minutes of 11v11 play, even after training in the morning. Ohanaga constantly worked for his teammates to provide smart options, both to feet and in space. He also has very solid technical abilities in the open field.

M Johnathan Saarvedra, N/A (2019): Saarvedra showed excellent potential throughout the showcase. He has good technique and technical skill to keep possession. He consistently scans the field well before receiving the ball and expressed a strong soccer IQ. Saarvedra has a major upside, especially as he grows and learns to use his body.