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The Starting 11

GK: Oliver Brown, St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.), Sr., Denver
D: Luke Blades, St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio), Sr., Davidson
D: Sean Cunningham, Troy (Troy, Mich.), Sr., Michigan
D: Eric Webberman, North Farmington (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Sr., Northwestern
D: Eriq Zavaleta, Westfield (Westfield, Ind.), Sr., Indiana
MF: Kyle Culbertson, Olentangy (Olentangy, Ohio), Sr., Akron
MF: Adam Montague, St. John’s Jesuit (Toledo, Ohio), Sr., Michigan State
MF: William Trapp, Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio), Sr., Akron
F: Chris Davis, Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio), Sr.
F: Max Lachowecki, Evansville Memorial (Evansville, Ind.), Sr., Notre Dame
F: Caleb Stanko, Oakland Christian (Auburn Hills, Mich.), Sr., Michigan

* The Starting 11, compiled during the summer months, is based on elite players expected to play high school soccer this fall.

Sizing Up The Region

Though the ESPN RISE Mideast U.S. region is comprised of only four states – Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio – it represents some of the best high school soccer played in the fall.

For starters, there are perennial nationally ranked programs like St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio), Strongsville (Strongsville, Ohio), North Central (Indianapolis, Ind.), Carmel (Carmel, Ind.), De La Salle (Warren, Mich.), Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) and St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.).

No fewer than 30 players from those states have already committed to Division I programs.

This fall, Ohio holds the key to sorting out these elite programs – specifically at Strongsville. In the Gateway City Soccer Classic in St. Louis, it is pitted against several powers outside the region. Since other Ohio Division I contenders will take on top programs from Kentucky and Michigan, a fair assessment of the top teams can be made if Strongsville plays deep into the state playoffs.

Although Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio) was the POWERADE FAB 50 preseason No. 1, St. Ignatius or Strongsville could just as easily find themselves in the running for the top spot come November.

Coach of Note

Greg Roberts, Snider (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

More known for its football, Snider (Fort Wayne, Ind.) is also home to the state’s all-time winningest boys’ soccer coach. Greg Roberts enters the season with a career record of 480-175-22 in 29 years. During that stretch, Snider’s football program has made five state final appearances and counts Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ron Woodson among its graduates. However, Snider has never made it to the state semifinals in soccer, despite Roberts' record.

World Cup Connection

Long before DeMarcus Beasley became a regular for the U.S. Men’s National Team, he starred at South Side (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Ranking the Teams

1. Lincoln (Gahanna, Ohio)
2. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio)
3. Strongsville (Strongsville, Ohio)
4. Lake Central (St. John, Ind.)
5. Evansville Memorial (Evansville, Ind.)

Matches To Watch

Sept. 4: St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.) vs. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) at Brebeuf Jesuit (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Sept. 18: Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) at De La Salle (Warren, Mich.)
Oct. 1: Strongsville (Strongsville, Ohio) at Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.)

Defending Champions

Indiana: Zionsville

Kentucky: St. Xavier

Michigan: I Brother Rice | II Unity Christian | III Detroit Country Day | IV Freedom Baptist

Ohio: I Gahanna Lincoln | II St. Francis DeSales | III Worthington Christian