A look at City Section soccer teams

In all my years of covering the City Section, soccer has been the one sport you can always count on for players to be at the top of their game.

So this year, I had the idea of trying to give some attention to top players and teams. I asked the assistant commissioner, Vicky Lagos, to send an email to each coach asking if they could submit a top player or two.

Less than 10 responded.

Hey, that’s life. If the coaches are too busy, so be it. Or if their email doesn’t work, they might want to talk to the City Section about getting it right.

So here’s the rundown from the coaches who did respond.

The City Section is expanding to five section championships each in boys’ and girls’ soccer this season. Soccer is considered one of the strongest sports in the section.

The No. 1 boys’ team should be Canoga Park, which will compete in Division III. Junior Ezequiel Quijada might be the best player Coach Jake Gwin has had. He had 32 goals as a freshman and 32 as a sophomore.

“He’s really an explosive player,� Gwin said.

Mauricio Garcia, a 6-foot-4 goalie, is back to make things difficult for opponents. The Hunters should have little trouble winning a Division III championship.

In Division I, El Camino Real should make a strong bid for a section title. Kayvon Parson, who had 28 goals in his career until injured most of last season, is healthy. Chris Attanasio is another returning starter for a team with 16 seniors.

Granada Hills will rely on Brandon Waters, Eddie Leon and Connor Roberts.

Mendez received an at-large berth to the regional playoffs last season and will be adding some promising freshmen after losing nine seniors. Nelson Gonzalez had seven goals and eight assists as a junior.

Contreras has a developing standout in Bryan Cruz and will be supported by Aldo Mungia and Juan Hernandez.

Marquez is led by sophomore Joel Olivia, who will be trying to break 30 goals this season. Erik Gomez also should be a productive scorer. Marquez is in Division II.

In girls’ soccer, LACES is a three-time Division III champion and returns midfielders Aunika Ortiz and Emma Katz and has added freshman Elaily Repreza-Hernandez, who has international experience. LACES will be in Division IV.

Chatsworth has two standouts in striker Alejandra Campos and the versatile Arlyn Hernandez.

That’s it. If you’re a top player and didn’t get mentioned, talk to your coach and see if his email is working.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer