Here is our Players To Watch Team of the Month for the South Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee).

Remember, this feature is to honor top performers in their region 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). Scroll down for the Girls honorees.

Juan Flores, Louisiana Fire, U17, Forward: Day 2 of the President’s Cup found the CFJL White U17 squad facing Miami Lakes SC Black of Florida.  The game was a defensive battle until the 61st minute were off a counterattack CFJL forward Juan Flores received the ball and took a strike on goal which was blocked by the goalkeeper but as the keeper went down to the ground, he slightly bobbled the ball and Juan maintained his presence and chipped the ball over the keeper for the only goal of the game. 

Mohamed Hameurlaine, Louisiana Fire White U17, Forward: Day 1 of the President’s Cup had the Louisiana FireU17 Boys up against Arkansas Rush Nike.  After receiving a pass near the 18, CFJL’s Mohamed Hameurlaine maneuvered around a couple of Rush defenders and found the back of the net in the 17th minute.  The CFJL defense was able to hold for the remainder of the match for the 1-0 win.

Nathanael Dauphin, Vestavia Steamers 96 Black (Alabama), U15, Forward: Nathanael Dauphin of the Vestavia Steamers 96 Black squad scored in the 15th and 61st minutes in their 3-0 win over the NYSA Celtic 96 Green of Oklahoma during Day 1 play at the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Jose Vital, Harpeth FC (Tennessee), U14: Jose Vital of Harpeth FC’s U14 squad scored off a PK in the 69th minute to level and finish the game 1-1 against the Lonestar 97B Red (Texas-South) during Day 1 play at the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Sinue Rodriguez, Ft. Smith Express '95 Boys, U16, Midfield: After a goal in the 7th minute by Baton Route Soccer Association/CSC Alliance (Louisiana), Sinue Rodriguez of Ft. Smith Express ’95 Boys U16 squad scored goals 31st and 50th minutes to win 2-1 in Day 1 play at the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Tapiwa Munetsi, Vestavia Hills Soccer Club 93 Steamers Black, U18, Forward: Tapiwa Munetsi, forward for the VHSC 93 Steamers Black U18 side scored in the 88th minute to give his team the lead and the 1-0 win over Team Boca of Florida in Day 1 play at the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Max Moller, Tulsa Soccer Club 93 Red, U18, Midfielder: It was a local derby at the Region III Championships as Max Moller of the Tulsa Soccer Club 93 Red scored in the 88th minute to level the score at 1-1 and the TSC defense held on to tie the Tulsa Nationals 93 of Oklahoma during Day 1 play.

Nathan Diehl, Birmingham United SA U18 Academy, Defender: Nathan repeated as the Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year, re­claiming the Alabama honor he received a year ago.  The impressive defender provided offensive firepower for his Mountain Brook High School squad tying for the scoring lead this year with nine goals and four assists. Diehl will be continuing his soccer and scholastic career at the University of North Carolina.

Nick Fechino, Tennessee United Soccer Club 97 Boys Red, U13, Central Defender: Versatile central defender Nick Fechino posted four goals during the Tennessee United Soccer Club 97 Boys Red run to the 2011 Memphis Invitational Championship.  In addition to his goal scoring, Nick led the TUSC 97 Boys defense giving up only 4 goals in five games including three shutouts.

Bryce Deguira, Forward, Randy Reichenberger, Center Midfield, Tennessee United Soccer Club 97 Boys Red, U13: Bryce and Randy are proving to be an unstoppable combination in the TUSC 97 Boys offensive attack.  The two accounted for almost 70% of the goals during the 2011 Memphis Invitational Tournament.  Bryce stepped up in the Championship final to put away the only goal to win 1-0 over the Vestavia Steamers 97.

Aaron Buchanan Tennessee United Soccer Club 97 Boys Red, U13, Midfielder: Aaron’s excellent field vision and pin point passing create chances for the high scoring TUSC 97 Boys.  Aaron not only excels at moving the ball forward but this versatile midfielder uses his speed to get back on defense.

 

Following is the Girls list (in no particular order).

Kara Mason, Birmingham United U15, Goalkeeper: Recorded a shutout on the opening day of the Region III Championships

Liza Harbin, Tennessee FC U15, Forward: Liza scored a pair of goals in the opening match of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Tayler Estrada, NWA Lightning U16, Forward: Scored twice in the club’s 4-3 win over Louisiana Fire in the opening match of the Region III Championships.

Mac Kelly, Birmingham United U16, Forward: Scored a goal as her team began the Region III Championships.

Kristen Killion, Hurricane FC U16, Midfielder: Scored a hat trick in the opening match of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Britne Holderby and Julia Kimbrough, Birmingham United U15: Have been a stalwart for her club as it advanced to the Region III Championships.

Cadie Higginson and Alexandra Thomas, Louisiana Fire U14: Goalscorers in the club’s opening day win at Region III.

Olivia Harrison, Collierville Lady Lobos U17, Forward: Scored a hat trick as the Lobos won the opening match of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

Katie Danehey and Laura Lee Smith, Birmingham United U18: The defenders have had a major role in their team’s success as they close out club careers.

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH RANKINGS:

Boys Top 100: 2012 | 2013

Girls Top 100: 2012 | 2013

Regional Top 20: Boys | Girls

TEAMRANK RANKINGS: Boys | Girls