The Journal News/lohud Elite 11 and Best of the Rest features some of the best boys soccer players across Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties with consideration given to individual and team success, talent and skill level, along with projections for this season.
There areseveral returning all-section and all-state standouts
, rising stars and players who played an integral role in championship runs last season and could do the same again.Through a review of accolades and accomplishments, and with the help of area coaches, more than 100 high-level players were considered and named to our watchlist, which eventually was whittled down to this distinguished group.
The 2026 Boys Soccer Elite 11
Josemiguel Ayala
School: New Rochelle
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
What makes Josemiguel elite?
The all-section standout is a creative orchestrator and a defensive stalwart whose two-way play led the Huguenots to a share of the Section 1 Class AAA title. Ayala is a tactical "maestro" whose vision, soccer IQ and anticipatory passes had New Rochelle operating like a machine.
Nils Boman
School: Harrison
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
What makes Nils elite? With his height, athleticism, ball skills and instincts, he helped lead the Huskies in a remarkable turnaround season that included the Huskies' first Section 1 championship since 2008. Boman also anchored a defense that was scored upon only twice in the playoffs en route to the Class AA state semifinals.
Schuyler Brown
School: Pleasantville
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
What makes Schuyler elite? He has quickness, good technical skills and is a sound decision-maker with the ball. That's in addition to his ability to neutralize offensive threats. An all-section pick last season, Brown also offers positional versatility, having successfully played striker and midfield.
Jordan Charalambous
School: Mamaroneck
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Jordan elite? His speed, knack for finding or creating space and long-distance power make him one of the more exciting players in the area. The Australian earned all-section honors after totaling four assists and 12 goals, including a few that were launched from 40 yards. He also tallied two game-winners, helping lead the Tigers to the Section 1 Class AAA quarterfinals.
Liam Cunningham
School: Albertus Magnus
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward, defender
What makes Liam elite? A combination of size, physicality, coordination and ambidextrous footwork allowed him to emerge as one of the best players in the area. He starred defensively last season, leading the Falcons to seven shutouts en route to the Section 1 Class B championship. But his dribbling and shot ability have convinced new coach Tom Orbasz that Cunningham can also excel at forward.
Liam Keegan
School: North Salem
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Liam elite? He earned first-team all-state accolades after shining on both ends of the field, helping the Tigers capture a second straight Class C state championship. Keegan anchored a ball-control midfield that enabled North Salem to steamroll through the postseason, beating each of its opponents by at least three goals.
Adrian Medina
School: New Rochelle
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward, midfield
What makes Adrian elite? Coach Jarohan Garcia lauded Medina for his "relentless work ethic," utilizing his speed to create pressure and be a constant threat. Medina has contributed in the past as a midfielder and defender, earning all-section honors, and he likely will be a go-to playmaker on the wings this season.
Will McAllister
School: Scarsdale
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
What makes Will elite? Despite being limited to 11 games, he contributed 11 goals last season. With his height, open-field speed and finishing ability, McAllister is a mismatch for most opponents and a nightmare on fast breaks. Injury cut short his season last fall, just as the Raiders were heating up down the stretch, but McAllister helped lead them to the state semifinals a year earlier.
Kasen Scarperi
School: Rye
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Kasen elite? The Franklin & Marshall commit was excellent throughout the regular season, contributing to a balanced offense, and then he turned it up several notches in the playoffs and became an offensive machine. With his athleticism, vision and precision, he racked up 15 goals and 22 assists last fall, helping the Garnets reach the Class A state final.
Nico Waldhauser
School: Tappan Zee
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
What makes Nico elite? He is a talented and decorated keeper with a versatile skillset, including a powerful leg that makes him a contributor on free kicks. But it's his range, reach and reaction time that has made him a two-time all-section star. Behind Waldhauser, TZ limited opponents to 0.53 goals per game and notched nine shutouts, and he was named first-team all-state.
Peter Wilmot
School: Rye
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Peter elite? A do-it-all midfielder who excels on defense, maneuvers up field with deft dribbling skills and facilitates the offense, Wilmot is "the engine" for the Garnets, coach Jared Small said. Wilmot was a stabilizing force and earned all-state honors after helping Rye come close to a state title. He's also a reason they could have another shot at it this fall.
Best of the rest
Jonah Aghen, Pleasantville, Sr., M; Lucas Apter, Briarcliff, Sr., D; Jacob Bricker, Valhalla, Sr., GK; Alec Dodge Terra, Rye, Sr., M; Tyler Edge, Croton, Jr., F; Max Moore, Leffell, Sr., F; Nick Portanova, Mahopac, Jr., M; Alex Safaei, Byram Hills, Sr., D; Charlie Tingo, Suffern, Sr., F; Griffin Warner, Irvington, Sr., M; Jo Watanabe, Keio, Jr., F
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Meet the 2026 lohud Boys Soccer Elite 11 and Best of the Rest
