Kicking off the 2014 TDS Combines was talent packed northern California, which featured plenty of the region’s best young players. Coaches from Cal, San Jose State, University of the Pacific, UC Davis, UC Merced, Cal State East Bay among other D3 and NAIA schools were on hand to scout potential recruits.

 “I’ve spent all morning reaching out to kids that I thought were good,” one Division I coach said. With over 80 TDS Combine alumni now committed to play in college, the program is proving to pay dividends for many players.

This assortment of the Combine’s Best XI, presented by National Guard, could probably beat some very good teams across the country, and it’ll be exciting to see where they end up playing collegiately.

Interested in getting on a Best XI list for a TopDrawerSoccer Combine? Check out how you can get seen at any of our 8 remaining Combines in 2014 here.

 

TDS Northern California Combine Boys Best XI

Matteo DeFina – San Jose Earthquakes – Goalkeeper (2017) – Defina’s got all the tools to excel at the next level. Great size at 6’2, and combines that with solid distribution out of the back. Good hand placement on shots, and does well under pressure to make the big save.

Alejandro Gomez – Atletico Santa Rosa – Outside Back (2015) – Gomez was part of a group of Atletico Santa Rosa players that showed incredibly well on the day. Under the tutelage of coach Messias De Santos, Atletico Santa Rosa produces some exceptional players that play a very distinct style of soccer. Gomez has a good touch, particularly for a defender, and a good technical foundation. Can push up and join the attack and does not look out of place in the final third.

Noah Sonenstein – San Juan Soccer Club – Center Back (2018) – Sonenstein is a young center back that shows early signs of developing into a lockdown defender. Gets his angles right defensively when he closes down, and organizes effectively for a defender his age. To see a freshman read the game the way he does is encouraging, and he should be a player to track as he progresses in his young soccer career.

Bennett Antes – San Jose Earthquakes – Center Back (2017)- Antes is incredibly calm on the ball, and constantly gives instructions to his teammates. Versatile in the sense that he can keep the ball well in the buildup by playing it simply, but can also hit a good diagonally driven ball when required. Has a good foundation already.

Tariq Pulskamp  - Central California Aztecs – Center Back (2015) – Pulskamp has the potential to be a very good college player according to one D1 coach in attendance. Scouts see a 6’1 center back that was dominant in the air, and showed excellent strength in his 1 v 1 battles throughout the day.

Alex Fluitt – San Jose Earthquakes – Midfielder (2015) – Has great technique and good vision to pick out teammates in scoring opportunities. Impressed college coaches with his ability on the ball.

Justin Moreno – Davis Legacy – Midfielder (2015)  - Moreno has a solid understanding of the game, and is overall very good technically. Has the physical ability to step into a D1 program immediately.

Kai Workman – Santa Cruz Breakers – Midfielder (2015) – Excels in 1 v 1 situations, as he’s very clever with the ball and a good dribbler. Shows great skill in tight situations, and has a great burst/first step. Future may be as an attacking midfielder or out wide as a winger. Will be a solid D1 player.

Cesar Farias Jr. – Atletico Santa Rosa – Forward (2015) –He has exceptional technical ability and had many coaches and scouts buzzing about his performance. Showed great leadership and communication skills at the combine. Great passer, and combines very well in the final third. Has a variety of offers to play D1 soccer, and is currently weighing options on the east coast, as well as back home in California.

Christian Marion – Pateadores – Forward (2018)  - One of the youngest players, but one of the best in terms of soccer IQ and awareness. Solid with both feet, which reminded of a young Wesley Sneijder, Marion is a very smart player. Smooth under pressure and worked hard off the ball. Will continue to develop even further under Pateadores coach Teddy Chronopoulos.

Micah Albert – San Juan Soccer Club – Forward (2017)- Equally adept finishing with his left as he is with his favored right, Albert does very well under pressure. Has great quickness laterally, and his agility allows him to beat his man when he goes at defenders. Solid D1 prospect according to many coaches at the Combine. 

 

Boys Second Team All-Combine Northern California

Erik Nunn – Atletico Santa Rosa – Goalkeeper (2015)

Preston Kilwien – DeAnza Force – Defender (2015)

Ivan Galvan – Atletico Santa Rosa – Defender (2015)

Myles Plumhoff – East Bay United – Defender (2017)

Blake Rocha – Cal Odyssey – Midfielder (2015)

Efren Bernal – Juventus USA – Midfielder (2018)

Estevan Salgado – Cal Odyssey – Midfielder (2015)

Reece Rivera - Central California Soccer Alliance – Midfielder (2017)

Chris Galdamez – AFC Barcelona – Midfielder (2015)

Ivan Jutamulia – East Bay United – Midfielder (2015)

Yousef Diyab – San Jose Earthquakes – Forward (2015)