Players That Impressed: 2023 Potomac Memorial Tournament

This weekend saw 422 of the top boys teams from across the country head to the Washington D.C. metro area to participate in the 2023 Potomac Memorial Tournament.

SoccerWire is currently seeking Players That Impressed nominations from the competition. Coaches, parents and athletes are invited to submit nominations for up to two (2) players per team, highlighting standout performances from the event.

[Submit Your ‘Players That Impressed’]

Here are some of the top performers from the U15-U19 portion of the event, sorted by graduation year.

2026

Felipe Una | Forward
Potomac Soccer Association Premier I 08 (MD)

Was an attacking menace all weekend for Potomac and scored a critical goal in their 2-2 draw on Saturday against Barca Academy PRO NY. Una always seems to be looking for that small space to exploit and has bursts of energy making him difficult to defend. He is also an expert passer and can create chances for his teammates with relative ease.

2025

Everett Bailey | Goalkeeper
Long Island Soccer Club Academy 2007 (NY)

Earned two clean sheets for LISC (1-0 over Beadling and 2-0 over Jersey Knights SC) to earn second in their bracket in the Liberty Division. The class of 2025 netminder is unafraid to take on attackers in the air and in one-on-one situations. In the Beadling match, his timing was particularly on point, slowing down their attack and giving his defense time to regroup.

2024

Kyle Ganley | Forward
Maryland United FC ECNL RL  06 (MD)

Netted a brace for Maryland United in their 2-1 victory in the Liberty Division Championship over New York Alleycats. He makes clean, precise runs off of the ball and in terms of his first touch he is always there at the right place at the right time. He is also unafraid of making the track back on defense to stem a counter-attack.

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Jero Velasquez | Goalkeeper
Westchester Flames Elite 2006 (NY)

Against three strong attack-minded side in Lower Mac Soccer, Velasquez stood tall making several key saves to earn the clean sheet and the Capitol Division title. Athletically, he can acrobatic saves look easy and is an asset on jumpstarting the counter-attack. But he is also a strong leader, keeping his backline organized under tight pressure.

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Michael Cespedes | Midfielder
Eagle FC Black 2006 (PA)

Was a key cog in the midfield for Eagle FC en route to the side winning the U17 Potomac Division. He possesses excellent field vision and helped lace together several long series of possession throughout the weekend.

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Thomas Lyden | Midfielder
Westchester Flames Elite 2006 (NY)

Hammered home a low curling free kick strike in Westchester’s opening match, a 2-1  win over Coppermine. Outside of free kicks, he is also a weapon when the ball is in play, making timely runs to disrupt the defensive backline and can hit shots or crosses from distance.

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Maxim Davis| Goalkeeper
Alliance SC (MD)

Was put to the test in the U18 Potomac Division but proved his mettle, earning two clean sheets against Eagle FC (3-0) and Rochester NY FC (3-0). In the finals against New York Alleycats he made several key stops early to stem their early momentum and held things together late to earn the 2-1 result.

2023

Seth Pearce | Forward
Potomac Soccer Association Premier I 04 (MD)

Opened up the scoring for PSA on Friday with a cracking strike against Shore FC, a 3-1 victory. Pearce is an interesting story – his primary position is goalkeeper and he just returned to the side from a mission trip in Israel. He is a pacy player and given his goalkeeping background, possesses a booming left-foot.