By Michael Adams
madams@onthesidelinessports.com

The 2024 Texas high school soccer season gets into full swing on Tuesday, Jan. 2 with a full slate of games. Here are the On The Sidelines Sports’ preseason top five teams in Class 6A and 5A-4A and players to watch heading into the new season:

Boys preseason rankings

Class 6A

1. Dripping Springs (14-11-2)

Class 6A state runner-up; finished fourth in District 26-6A

2. Bowie (20-2-3)

Reigning District 26-6A champion; lost to Stony Point in first round of playoffs

3. Lake Travis (20-2-2)

Lost to San Antonio Johnson in area round of playoffs; District 26-6A runner up

4. Westwood (13-4-4)

Lost to Dripping Springs in first round of playoffs; reigning District 25-6A champion

5. Stony Point (18-5-3)

Lost to Dripping Springs in regional quarterfinals; finished fourth in District 25-6A

Class 5A-4A

1. Connally (23-2-4)

Lost to Frisco Lone Star in Class 5A state semifinals; reigning District 23-5A champion

2. Rouse (22-3-2)

Lost to Mission Sharyland in regional finals; reigning District 25-5A champion

3. Cedar Park (14-8-3)

Lost to San Antonio Southwest in regional quarterfinals; finished third in District 25-5A

4. Austin LASA (18-5-1)

Lost to Connally in regional quarterfinals; reigning District 24-5A champion

5. Leander (12-8-5)

Lost to Rouse in regional quarterfinals; finished third in District 25-5A

11 players to watch

Roger Amador, Northeast, sophomore, midfielder: The All-District 24-5A selection scored 11 goals and had 11 assists as a freshman for the Raiders.

Rahul Kuthiala, Westwood, sophomore, forward: As a freshman, helped the Warriors to a District 25-5A championship with 10 goals and six assists.

Alexander Rodriguez-Diaz, Connally, senior defender: The District 23-5A first-team selection was a force in the defensive backfield while helping the Cougars reach the state tournament.

Martin Valdez, Georgetown, junior forward: The District 23-5A offensive most valuable player had 28 goals and 15 assists for the Eagles as a sophomore.

Aaron Olalde, Connally, junior midfielder: A Class 5A all-state selection scored eight goals and had 10 assists while helping the Cougars reach the state tournament.

Austin Bint, Rouse, senior midfielder: A first-team All-District 25-5A selection as a junior. That helped lead the Raiders to win the district title and reach the regional finals.  

Parker Johnson, Dripping Springs, junior forward: Scored five goals and had 4 assists while helping the Tigers reach the Class 6A state tournament.

Cristofer Valladares, Navarro, sophomore forward: A first-team All-District 24-5A selection as a freshman for the Vikings.

Landon Saunders, Leander, senior, defensive back/midfielder: The District 25-5A most valuable player and three-year letterman for the Lions.

Jake Ciccarello, Bowie, senior, midfielder: A three-year starter and first-team All-District 26-6A selection as a junior.

Benni Ponce, Georgetown, senior forward: A returning starter who had 11 goals and six assists for the Eagles in 2023.