This article was originally published by PrepSoccer staff writer, Matt Smith, on the PrepSoccer website. Matt Smith is a special news and communications correspondent with SF Elite Academy and will providing viewers with an inside look into SF Elite and what makes our club so special.
It was a good update to the rankings for San Francisco Elite Soccer Club’s boys who are in the class of 2025, as six players made the rankings. This is not a surprise when you take into consideration that the 2006/2007 ECNL team is in second place in the Northern California Conference, just three points behind Cal Odyssey. SF Elite SC has a game in hand as well. Here are six boys who are playing a big role in leading the team to a possible Champion’s League berth.
Adrian Cano , Midfielder
Cano is a versatile and dynamic midfielder. His versatility allows him to play anywhere in the midfield and his dynamism sees him traveling all over the pitch and creating in a multitude of ways. Cano is a gifted player with the ball who uses his ability on the ball to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Nate Coughlin , Forward
Coughlin was featured in PrepSoccer’s rankings risers article, but not including him with a club specific article would be remiss because he is one of the heartbeats of the team. A commit to Bucknell University, Coughlin is a rare breed of athletic talent and academics. He has incredible touch, incredible technical ability and displays a keen tactical awareness. He understands the game and all of the nuance that goes with it, and in addition he can use his terrific foot skills and scoring ability to take advantage of what he sees unfold in front of him.
Matteo Delmonte , Defensive Midfielder
Delmonte is the captain for this SF Elite SC team that has compiled 20 points in ECNL play, and he is an important and key piece in the midfield. He is the No. 6 and is an anchor and a vital pivot man. He is excellent in helping the team gain possession and maintain possession as a key to this team’s success is their ability to keep the ball. He was identified as one of the standout players at the Phoenix ECNL Showcase last year.
Ryan Dugan , Central Defender
This SF Elite SC team plays great defense, allowing just over a goal a game in what is a competitive conference, and Dugan is a large part of that. He anchors what is consistently one of the best defenses in the conference as he can play as a center back or outside back, using both his strength and his speed to extinguish goal-scoring chances for his opponents. He is then quick to start the transition the other way, showing his ability and comfort on the ball. He is a physical player with good size as at 6’3″ he is excellent defensively in the box and dangerous attacking set pieces offensively. He was selected as an outstanding player in Phoenix at the ECNL Showcase last year, as well.
Atticus English , Outside Defender
English is a wide player, as he plays as an outside defender but one who is dedicated to pushing up and down the pitch. He is incredibly fast, showing great ability to get up and down in transition. He can get back defensively very quickly and be disruptive physically and win the ball, or show his athleticism in his ability to push up and join the attack. He is committed to play at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Masayuki Fujita , Midfielder
Fujita is a fun player to watch because he is athletically and technically gifted. He is fun to watch because of his great ability to take on defenses and break them down. He can beat players off the dribble, he can attract a crowd and then play a clever through-ball or play a smart ball out wide before continuing his run. He is a fantastic scorer who can put the ball in the net from just about anywhere.
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