Here is the Players To Watch Team of the Month in August for the Pennsylvania 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 teamofthemonth@topdrawersoccer.com .

Following is the Boys List, in no particular order.

Jimmy McLaughlin, Midfielder and Zach Pfeffer, Midfielder, FC DELCO Academy, U18: FC DELCO Academy players Zach Pfeffer and Jimmy McLaughlin were subbed on in the second half of the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 loss against the European super club Real Madrid in front of almost 60,000 fans. The duo also entered during the second half of the Philadelphia Union-Everton FC game earlier in the week and provided an immediate spark in the Union’s 1-0 win. Both figured in the build up to the winning strike which was scored by PDA Academy player Christian Hernandez in the 87th minute. Zach is the Union’s first home grown player signing and Jimmy will begin his collegiate career at Colgate University in the fall.

Connor Maloney, PA Classics Academy, U16, Forward/Midfielder: Connor, a versatile and tireless athlete who can play striker or attacking midfielder, scored three of the PA Classics goals during Academy finals week, including two in the game against North Carolina Fusion.

Joey Julius, PA Classics Academy, U16, Forward: PA Classics offensive depth seems endless and one player who proves that is Joe Julius. Joey was one of the more prolific goal scorers for the Classics. This season, the dominating and aggressive forward netted 10 goals for the Classics.

Christian Kaschak, PA Classics Academy, U18, Midfielder: Christian, a defensive midfielder, represented the Philadelphia Union U18 Academy side versus the Everton U18s on July 20. The following week, at the MLS Generation Adidas (U17) Cup, Christian co-captained the his Philadelphia Union team going undefeated in regulation, losing only on PKs (the tie breaker in this tournament) to FC Dallas and Toronto FC. Christian will be graduating high school early and heading to Penn State in January to continue his scholastic and soccer career.

Quincy Thomas, PA Classics Academy, U18, Defender: Quincy anchored the PA Classic’s U16 defense which was among the stingiest defenses in the Development Academy system. Quincy was called on repeatedly to shut down the LA Galaxy’s Jack McBean during their Academy National Championship game. In addition to the PA Classics, Quincy also represented the Philadelphia Union U18 Academy in the Everton game and at the Generation Adidas Cup. Quincy is headed to Memphis to continue his scholastic and soccer career.

Jonathan Wenger, PA Classics Academy, U18, Defender: Jonathan, the Classics center back, is also a 94 moving up to the 18s. In addition to covering the middle back, Jonathan scored two goals during the Academy season. He was invited to represent the Philadelphia Union U18 Academy at the Everton game and at the Generation Adidas Cup.

Kyle Bitterman, PA Classics Academy, U18, Forward: Kyle, a forward for the Classics, was an instrumental part of the offense this past season. He scored 11 goals this year, including the loan goal against the Galaxy in the Academy National Championship game. Kyle also played for the Philadelphia Union U18 Academy in the Everton game and at the Generation Adidas Cup. Kyle has committed to Fordham University.

Ryan Vilella, Beadling SC, U16, Midfielder: Ryan was named to the US Youth Soccer National Championships Best 11 following the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Phoenix in July. Ryan netted a spectacular goal in Beadling’s 4-1 over Carolina Elite SC.

Michael Roberge, Beadling SC, U16, Forward: Roberge was Beadling SC U16’s top scorer this season, producing a goal at nationals and the team's only goal in a 1-0 win in the Region I semifinals against Empire United (N.Y).

Matt Loughnane, Beadling SC, U16: Matt is a steady presence on the field for this Beadling squad that was the first PA West boys team to reach nationals in 10 years. Matt is a technically skilled and composed defender who created many offensive runs out of the back this season. Although Matt and his Beadling squad they did not take away the National Championship, they were awarded the Fair Play Award.

Following is the Girls List, in no particular order:

Cassie Pecht, FC Pennsylvania Strikers, U17, Central Midfielder: FC Pennsylvania’s Cassie Pecht had an amazing 2010-2011. She was invited to two U-18 WNT training camps. She travelled to Russia in March with the Region I ODP team and scored the winning goal to beat host Russia. Soon after, she led her high school team to a Pennsylvania state championship. She then helped her club team, FC Pennsylvania Strikers, win the Region 1 Premiere League, the Eastern Pennsylvania state cup championship, a Region 1 championship, and a trip to the National Championship tournament in Phoenix where she was named to the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships Best 11.

Emily Armstrong, FC Pennsylvania Strikers, U17, Goalkeeper: Emily anchors the Strikers' stingy defense. As the Strikers won the Region 1 Premiere League, the Pennsylvania Sate Cup, and the Region 1 Championship, Emily's goals against average was less than .5 goals per game. She is tall, quick, courageous, and makes excellent, split-second decisions. This Boston College commit is consistently ranked as one of the top goalkeepers in the 2012 class.

Stevi Parker, FC Pennsylvania Strikers, U17, Midfielder: From whistle to whistle, there is no player who works harder than Stevi. She is a tremendous ball striker and a great defensive player. She scored game-winning goals in the Region 1 Premiere League Championship game and the Region 1 Championship semi-final game. A true team leader, Stevi is verbally committed to attend South Carolina.

Alex Cooper, FC Delco Lightning, U17: Alex Cooper has been named to the 2011-2012 1994 Region 1 ODP pool. Alex has also been selected for the rosters for the ODP Inter-Regional event in November 2011 in Boca Raton, FL and the Region 1 trip to Argentina in February 2012.

Hannah Racis, BSA Rage, U15, Forward: Hannah and the BSA Rage rising U15’s had a busy year winning the Region I Presidents Cup, Eastern PA President’s Cup, Baltimore Mania Championship, and the Silver Division of the Frederick Cup. Hannah plays with tremendous agility, balance and speed. She is a tall and athletic forward that cannot be ‘knocked off’ the ball and is a superb finisher with both the right and left foot to lead this high powered Rage offense.

Natalie Connell, BSA Rage, U15, Center Midfielder: Natalie leads the team from the midfield with her hardworking, aggressive style and is working hard to take her game to play at the next level. She shows a passion for the game and her club, often playing through injury. She is a technically skilled player and unselfish passer leading the team in assists and can be counted on to score from distance and short range.



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