Nearly 70 of NorCal Premier Soccer’s most talented boys and girls met this past Sunday at San Juan Field Complex in Rancho Cordova to undergo a talent evaluation process at US Club Soccer’s id2 Selection Event.

The event, which featured a morning training session and afternoon full of games, is designed to identify the top talents in the area and help feed those players into the US youth national team setups.

“This particular event, in terms of talent, has been one of our best,” said id2 Boys Director Gerry McKeown. “The kids are very gifted technically and some of them are mature beyond their years, not just physically, but mentally. There’s a lot of leadership here, kids who are willing to step up and organize and solve problems.”

“Obviously we’re looking for technical ability, that goes without saying, but we’re also looking for game intelligence and people who can solve problems and be proactive,” McKeown added.

This event, along with several others that were already held or will be held in other parts of the country, served to help narrow down the list of potential players that the id2 program will take on an international trip in April of next year.

“It’s fun playing against people who are at the same level as you,” said Gabby Ferraro of San Juan Soccer Club. “(The level) is high, it’s a really good intensity. It’s been cool getting to meet people from all the different clubs and get to see their styles of play.”

Added Sebastian Palmer of Los Gatos United: “The training was great, the competition was great. This was definitely a lot more challenging (than what I’ve faced before), the competition was definitely a lot better.”

Founded in 2004, the id2 Program has helped the United States National Team programs find some of its future great players including Tyler Adams, Lindsey Horan, Catarina Macario, and Christian Pulisic.

To view the list of selected players, click here. For more information on US Club Soccer’s id2 Program, click here.