High school boys' soccer: The top 25 valley players to know for the 2023-24 season
The 2023-24 high school soccer season in the Coachella Valley is underway, and Desert Valley League play began on Dec. 19. It's now time to see the valley teams go head-to-head on a regular basis.
While you may be planning which games to attend this season, let us offer you a guide. You may have a team that you follow, but to make sure you get the best matchups, with the best players, we have a bit of a cheat sheet for you.
As we did with the girls' soccer players in the valley, after talking to various coaches in the area, we've compiled a list of 25 players that we're following closely this season. This is not just who coaches say are their best players, but also who opposing coaches are talking about.
So, let's dive right in. Here are 25 players to follow, in alphabetical order, if you don't already know which games to watch this season:
Jesus Aviles
Desert Mirage, freshman
Though just a freshman, Aviles could be the Rams' next great offensive player. Every few years we see a special scorer wear the red and white, from Fred Zaragoza to Alex Pimentel to Erick Serrano to Jose Calderon. Aviles may eventually be that guy, with his agility and rare ability to score in seemingly every possible way. Remember the name.
Elijah Batres
La Quinta, senior
Batres was instrumental to the Blackhawks' Desert Empire League title run last season, and league coaches named him a second team all-league player as a result. Batres is a second-year starter who can play anywhere on the pitch. He has excellent technique and skill in all facets of the game, and appears primed for a big year.
Tyler Bloomer
Palm Springs, senior
Bloomer, a goalkeeper who plays his best in clutch moments, was a second team all-league selection a year ago. This season, he recorded four shutouts in the Indians' first eight games of the season. He's become known for several big saves he's made, and with his leadership, Palm Springs should be a contender in the DEL.
Jorge Carlos
Cathedral City, senior
Carlos, a blazing fast forward and the Lions' team captain, scored 18 goals and added seven assists last season, which helped him capture all-league honors from DVL coaches. He's a pure scorer, clearly, and he can either blow by opposing defenders or stop and pop off a shot from outside the box. He's equally adept in scoring from the inside or out.
Isaac Carrillo
Shadow Hills, senior
Carrillo is the sole four-year varsity player at Shadow Hills this season, and his talent, leadership and experience will be vital for the Knights. His coach says that the midfielder embodies resilience and commitment, and that his astute play in the midfield anchors the Knights’ control of the game. Carrillo's quick decision-making, superior game-reading ability and strong work ethic mirror his commitment in the classroom and showcases his intelligence.
Alejandro Cervantes
Shadow Hills, junior
Among the top offensive players in the valley, Cervantes was an all-league first team selection in the DEL last season and the Knights' leading scorer. His unparalleled dribbling skills, prowess in the air, and a keen eye for both scoring and setting up goals make him the valley’s standout player. He is also a member of the Olympic Development Program.
Sterling Conley
Xavier Prep, freshman
While just a freshman, the quick-footed striker has found little trouble adjusting to high school soccer. This season, he scored five goals in the Saints' first four games. He also has a hat trick. The DEL slate should make it more difficult to find the back of the net, but with his feel for the game and athletic agility, he'll still be very difficult for opposing teams to stop.
Emiliano Dominguez
Rancho Mirage, senior
Dominguez, who was a first team all-league player last year, returns as one of the elite all-around players in the valley. He can excel up front, as an attacking striker, as a creating midfielder or on the defensive line. It doesn't matter where he plays because with his intelligence on the pitch and aggressive style of play, he finds a way to influence the outcome of each game. He's the focal point of a Rattlers squad that should have a good shot to reach the CIF playoffs this year.
Alexis Flores
Coachella Valley, junior
A defender who can also play forward when needed, Flores is a smart player who is strong and technically sound. In his third year playing for Coachella Valley's varsity team, Flores has stepped into a role as team captain for the Arabs, and he'll play a vital role as the team aims to return to the CIF playoffs and contend for a DVL title.
Kevin Franjic
La Quinta, senior
A first team all-league performer last season, Franjic led the Blackhawks with 16 goals amid a DEL title run. The star midfielder is now back for his senior year and has picked up where he left off, scoring three goals in La Quinta's first two games this season. Few players in the valley are on Franjic's level when it comes to technique, and his skills at sending accurate through balls and taking shots outside the box.
Sergio Gomez
Shadow Hills, junior
A first team all-league performer last season, and second team as a freshman, Gomez is one of the top all-around players in the valley and an absolute force as a defensive linchpin for the Knights. He blends elite strength and speed, which he hones during track season, to make him one of the better athletes on the pitch in the DEL. His versatility allows him to be proficient in aerial duels, ambidextrous in shooting, and a slide-tackling finesse that sets him apart.
Isaac Gutierrez
Shadow Hills, freshman
Though just his first year playing high school soccer, look for Gutierrez as he emerges as the Knights' rising offensive star. His goal-scoring prowess is already evident through five games, and even when he doesn't score, his ability to penetrate the opposing defense with his quickness on the ball and ability to shoot with either foot opens up the field for his teammates. He has a dynamic offensive game that should only improve as he adjusts to the high school game.
Reyes Gutierrez
Palm Springs, senior
The all-league honorable mention midfielder may be the most important player in the Palm Springs lineup this season. He plays primarily at defensive center midfielder and is the key to the Indians' backline to the attack. He's a disruptive player who is equally dangerous in transition attacks, and he's versatile enough to play a variety of positions, if needed.
Bryan Hernandez
Rancho Mirage, senior
Hernandez returns for the Rattlers after a year in which he was a second team all-league performer. Like his teammate Emiliano Dominguez, Hernandez can make plays all over the field with his quickness and athleticism. He has an ability to outrun defenders in open space and is a technically sound player who makes his teammates better.
Nefthali Lopez
Cathedral City, junior
The 5-foot-5, lightning quick midfielder scored 17 goals and recorded 13 assists for the Lions last year, which earned him all-league honors from DVL coaches. Few players in the valley are faster, or more creative, with the ball at their feet than Lopez, who has a decent shot to lead all valley players in points this season.
Elder Molina
Shadow Hills, senior
Molina is the Knights' goalkeeper, and after years steadily playing his role, he's now playing a starring role. A towering presence in the net, Molina excels because of his superior agility and lightning-quick reflexes. His aerial acrobatics were pivotal in securing critical saves during his junior year, contributing significantly to the Knights’ return to CIF after a seven-year hiatus. Now, he should contend for DEL goalie of the year honors.
Gerardo Montellano
Indio, senior
The Rajahs' playmaking captain, who can play in the midfield or at forward, is a creative player who will be in the middle of everything Indio does this season. Through the first half of the season, Montellano has scored four goals and added seven assists to lead the Rajahs in points. He's the kind of player you want in a key matchup, who you know will give you his best.
Rigoberto Morales
Coachella Valley, senior
In his fourth year playing varsity for the Arabs, Morales, a defensive midfielder, has one of the best all-around skillsets in the valley. He'll anchor the Coachella Valley defense, occasionally sliding into the central defender position, and will be called on to be a leader in the locker room, in the huddle and on the field as the Arabs chase a DVL title.
Michael Moreno
Palm Springs, senior
Moreno's coach describes him as a "no-nonsense, hard-working player" who is all about the team. But there's no denying that Moreno's abilities on the pitch make him, individually, one of the most impressive players in the valley. He's a dynamic defensive player who has the strength and aggressive nature to battle bigger players, yet also the speed and agility to stick with quicker players.
Brandon Perez-Amador
Xavier Prep, senior
The senior defender was an all-league honorable mention selection by league coaches a year ago, but he's stepping into even more of a leadership role this year for the Saints. He has a strong skill set that makes him an influential player in every aspect of the game, and is not shy about playing physical or sticking his nose into a crowd of players to contest the ball.
Jonathan "JJ" Price
La Quinta, senior
The three-year starter has excelled previously on the wing, but can also play in the center of the field, with his elite pace and ability to run at players in 1-on-1 situations. He'll play a vital role in helping the Blackhawks in their quest for a three-peat in the DEL.
Uriel Recio
Desert Hot Springs, senior
The veteran forward, who has been through some battles with the Golden Eagles over the years, will be the unquestioned offensive threat for the Desert Hot Springs this season. With center midfielder Victor Aguilar, he forms a dangerous, underrated offensive duo that can put opposing defenses on their heels and play a smart, tactical game.
Ryland Risk
Palm Desert, junior
An all-league second team performer last season as a sophomore, Risk is one of the top players returning from what was a loaded CIF championship for the Aztecs' squad a year ago. The midfielder, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, has stepped into more of a leadership role this season and has not disappointed. In Palm Desert's first six games, he scored four goals and added five assists.
Jose "Junior" Valdez
Shadow Hills, sophomore
Described by his coach as "a defensive maestro," Valdez started every game last year as a freshman and played a pivotal role in helping the Knights qualify for the CIF playoffs. He's a smart and adaptive defender who possesses an uncanny ability to read the game, and neutralizes opponents with ease. He has a simplicity and elegance in ball control and couples that with an adept passing ability. He's already stepped into more of a leadership role this season.
Jeffrey Vasquez
Desert Mirage, senior
The star midfielder is the ultimate playmaker in the middle of an attacking Rams offense. If he isn't, he's making plays for others. In a win over Moreno Valley this season, he recorded a goal and an assist. He then scored and recorded two assists in a 3-0 win over Desert Hot Springs. Vasquez is one of the few elite scorers in the valley who may be just as good at passing and sharing the ball with his teammates.
Carlos Villalta
Desert Mirage, junior
Villalta is the third member, in no particular order, of perhaps the best offensive trio in the valley this season. It's probably too early to tell, but few teams, if any, have a trio like the one that includes Villalta, Jeffrey Vasquez and Jesus Aviles. Villalta can take over a game with his scoring ability, and when the Rams need a big goal, he's as capable as anyone in providing it.
Andrew John covers sports in the Coachella Valley for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The top 25 boys' soccer players in the valley to watch this season
