Here are 25 players to watch during the 2026 CIAC boys soccer season:
Jonathan Adadjo, Tolland, Sr., F: Was the 2024 Class M championship MVP, and followed that up with a 2025 season in which he scored 17 goals with five assists, helping to lead Tolland to a second straight state title.
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Tyson Brenes, Wolcott, Sr., F: Was CSCA All-State and an All-NVL first-team selection last year after scoring 29 goals with 12 assists as a junior. His 55 career goals are five away from the Wolcott record.
Brendan Burney, Tolland, Sr., M:
A two-time Class M champion, Burney scored five goals and assisted on four more last year, but head coach Michael Caccomo said the four-year starter is expected to step into a larger role this year and could be a game-changer.
Joe Carroll, Greenwich, Jr., F/M:
One of the top returning players for a Greenwich team that lost in both the FCIAC and Class LL championships to Staples. As a sophomore, he was a double-digit goal scorer for the Cardinals.
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Frank Chiurillo, Cromwell, Jr., F:
Broke out as a sophomore last year, finishing with 24 goals and five assists. Seven of his goals came in the Class S tournament, helping to lead Cromwell to the semifinals.
Ben DelGallo, Granby, Jr., M:
A two-time All-State and former All-New England selection, DelGallo has scored over 50% of his team’s goals since his high school debut, including 17 goals with nine assists as a sophomore last year.
Paul DiSanto III, Glastonbury, Sr., D: Played his first high school season last year as a fullback and is moving to center back to help lead the defense for a team that has high expectations.
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Andrew Edward, Middletown, Jr., F:
Was an All-New England selection, GametimeCT All-State honorable mention and All-CCC as a sophomore last year after scoring 24 goals.
Tristen Edwards, Haddam-Killingworth, Sr., F: The first-team All-Shoreline selection last year scored 18 goals with 20 assists, helping to lead H-K to the Class S championship game.
Tommy Francalangia, Berlin, Sr., F/CM:
The four-year varsity starter and 2024 All-State selection is coming off a junior season in which he scored 20 goals with three assists.
Thomas Graziosa, Darien, Sr., D: A first-team All-FCIAC selection in 2025, Graziosa has been named a co-captain for the Blue Wave this year and can also fill in as a midfielder.
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Andrew Leibowitz, Notre Dame-West Haven, Sr., F: Scored 17 goals with five assists as a junior last year.
Cooper Little, Avon, Jr., D:
Little is considered one of the best defenders in the state, and is coming off a sophomore season in which he was an All-CCC selection and helped lead Avon to the Class L second round.
Kevin Ly, Bethel, Sr., M:
The four-year starter is coming off a junior season in which he scored six goals and had 12 assists, earning All-State and All-SWC selections.
Blake Lyons, South Windsor, Sr., M:
Helped lead the Bobcats to the Class LL semifinals last year along with his twin brother Riley. Lyons was a CSCA All-State selection as a junior, and will be a key part of a strong South Windsor squad.
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Gianni Melaragno, Watertown, Sr., M:
The CSCA All-State and first-team All-NVL selection scored nine goals while assisting 17 as a junior last season.
Hayden Modica, Xavier, Sr., M: Modica was one of the leaders for an Xavier team that reached the Class LL second round last year. He scored nine goals with six assists.
Anthony Moura, Trumbull, Sr., F:
Was an All-FCIAC West selection last year after leading Trumbull in goals.
Tyler Paniagua, Holy Cross, Sr., M: Scored 25 goals with 10 assists last season. He is a two-time CSCA All-State and three-time first-team All-NVL selection.
Julio Pena Perez, East Hartford, Sr., F: Scored 18 goals and was an All-CCC selection last year in his first high school season since coming to the United States from Spain.
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Cody Raeburn, Farmington, Sr., M:
The only returning starter from last year’s Class LL quarterfinalists. He was the second-leading scorer on that team with seven goals and four assists.
Adrian Rodriguez, Staples, Sr., F: Was the leading scorer for a Wreckers squad that claimed both the Class LL and FCIAC championships, finishing the year with 19 goals.
Magnus Smail, Stamford, Sr., G: Smail was a first-team All-FCIAC selection last year as a junior after posting six clean sheets.
Nickoy Smith, Bassick, Sr., F: Was Bassick’s leading scorer last year with 26 goals as a junior.
Jack Vendetti, Newington, Sr., M: Was a CSCA All-State midfielder last year as a junior, and helped lead Newington to the Class L semifinals.
This article originally published at 25 CIAC boys soccer players to watch during the 2026 season.
