Donatto Duran in action for the Round Rock boys soccer team during the 2026 season.
Henry Huey/Special to American-Statesman
As the Texas high school boys soccer season begins the playoffs Thursday, the American-Statesman looks at 25 Central Texas players who are having breakout performances this season.
(Players listed alphabetically. First-team all-district selections from a year ago are not eligible as they don’t meet the definition of “breakout.”)
Article continues below this ad
Jordan Adedayo, Hendrickson: Crucial to the Hawks winning District 23-5A, the sophomore can play center midfield or winger.
Amuary Alvarado, Northeast: Sophomore striker has eight goals and five assists for a Raiders team that won District 25-4A.
Fernando Aguilar, Northeast: Called up from the junior varsity early in district play, the sophomore right midfielder has contributed six goals and two assists to the District 25-4A champions.
Alonso Ardila, Vandegrift: The junior center midfielder has played every minute for the Vipers and excels on defense and in distributing on the attack.
Article continues below this ad
Chris Barriga, Stony Point: Talented on the left wing, he tallied double-digit goal contributions for the Tigers.
Arcie Brazell, East View: A big reason the Patriots finished second in the tough District 23-5A, the senior is one of the team’s top points producers.
Beau Bryant, Westwood: Crucial to the Warriors winning a loaded District 25-6A, the senior center back excels both defensively and in passing. Was close to double figures in goal contributions.
Julian De La O, Georgetown: The sophomore winger tallied six goals for the Eagles.
Article continues below this ad
JoseLuis Diaz, Anderson: Compiled 12 goal contributions for an Anderson team that is 14-3-4 heading into the playoffs.
Donatto Duran, Round Rock: An electric midfielder/forward, the junior is dangerous on the ball and can take on multiple defenders. With 10 goal contributions, he’s an important part of a Dragons team that is back in the Class 6A playoffs.
Rodrigo Garcia, Westwood: The senior can play anywhere in the midfield and has more than 15 goal contributions.
Mateo Gorman, Westlake: With an eye-popping 17 goals and three assists in 12 district games, the junior forward marked a key factor in why the Chaps went undefeated in winning District 26-6A.
Article continues below this ad
Yeshua Grana, Vista Ridge: With more than 150 saves and only 20 goals allowed in district play, he’s a big reason the Rangers qualified for the playoffs out of a loaded District 25-6A.
Chris Helm, Georgetown: One of the Eagles’ captains, the junior defender had a strong season.
David Hernandez, Northeast: A do-it-all midfielder, he’s well into double figures in goal contributions and a major reason the Raiders won District 25-4A.
Evan Herrin, McCallum: Part of a perennially good Knights team, the senior is dangerous on the wing, has double-digit goal contributions and has an impressive distance capability on throw-ins.
Article continues below this ad
Andres Kippar, Rouse: Moving to center back this season from the midfield, he’s part of a backline that has 13 shutouts and helped the Raiders win District 25-5A.
Nicolas Lebrija, Westlake: A rock at center back, the junior helped the Chaps go undefeated in a tough District 26-6A.
Tyler Lousma, Round Rock: The junior is a shutdown outside back with blazing speed. He played a big part in the Dragons qualifying for the 6A playoffs.
Isaiah Lopez, Bowie: Brilliant in the midfield for a talented Bulldogs team, the sophomore easily reached double figures in goal contributions.
Article continues below this ad
Milan Mohandas, Westlake: The junior defender is part of a talented backline that has been dominant all season. He helped Westlake to the District 26-6A title.
Alex Monore, Hendrickson: Part of a backline that helped the Hawks win District 23-5A, the senior can suit up at either right back or center back.
Bryce Metzler, Vandegrift: The sophomore winger is talented enough to get minutes on a loaded Vipers squad and tallied five goals in district play.
Kristian Radic, Pflugerville: Breaking into the varsity lineup in January, he tallied five goals for the Panthers.
Article continues below this ad
Diego Ramirez, Elgin: Junior striker is dangerous up top and surpassed 15 goal contributions for a Wildcats team that qualified for the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
Pablo Rojano, Austin Achieve: The sophomore center back is key on the backline for a Polar Bears squad that looks primed for another deep playoff run.
Hugo Sanchez-Lopez, Anderson: With 13 goals and seven assists, the talented senior winger/midfielder helped Anderson finish second in District 24-5A.
Noah Salazar, Connally: Reaching double digits in goals, the sophomore has helped the Cougars back to their perennial spot in the playoffs.
Article continues below this ad
Jabeth Santana, East View: Sophomore midfielder started every game for a solid Patriots squad that is back in the playoffs. Does all the little things well and could be one of the area’s better players the next two years.
Kieran Tower, LASA: Senior striker produced seven goals and three assists in district play alone for the District 24-5A champions.
Santiago Vazquez, Austin Achieve: With double-digit goal contributions, the junior winger helped the Polar Bears finish second in District 25-4A.
Article continues below this ad
Tyler White, Stony Point: A junior center back, he was the rock on the backline for the Tigers.
Santiago Wingrove LASA: Junior midfielder is a key piece for the District 24-5A champions, who could make a run in the Division II playoffs.