FIVE TO WATCH

Teams

• Eden Prairie: Coach Vince Thomas says this year's teams will "probably be the youngest varsity team in many years." Perhaps, but the talent pool is so deep the 2009 ninth grade and sophomore teams went undefeated -- the Eagles are reloading. Stability will be found with three starters back on defense and the return from injury of leading scorer Dan Virgin.

• Wayzata: The 2009 Class 2A runners-up have a nice balance of experience -- six starters and 15 players in total return from a year ago -- and youth. "We have some young, creative players that will be pushing for playing time," coach Dominic Duenas said. Forwards Ellis Andrews and Michael Kirsch make up a dangerous front line.

• Bloomington Jefferson: Of the Jaguars' five losses last year, four of them were by one goal, including a 1-0 loss to Wayzata in the Class 2A quarterfinals. If Cole Erickson and the defense is as good as last year, when they blanked 11 opponents, the Jaguars could be playing well into November.

• Minneapolis Southwest: Coach Jamie Plaisance has fashioned one of the few consistently excellent non-basketball programs in Minneapolis. No different this year as the Lakers will be strong enough defensively and at the midfield to overcome questions on offense.

• St. Louis Park: As one might expect, a youthful-but-talented Orioles team had an uneven 2009 season, at one point losing five games in a row but finishing with a Class 1A tournament appearance. With 13 players back, that strong play should carry over this year.

Players

 Chukwuka Iwe, St. Louis Park: Quick on his feet and a natural with the ball, the senior attacker forces defenses to consistently account for him.

• Reid Kopesky, Hopkins: The strong-legged senior defender is one of the most dominant sweepers in the metro.

• Nick Manzoni, Orono: A talented junior forward whom coach Brad (Cookie) Carlson calls "our best player since 2000 when Drew Roddy was [named] Mr. Soccer."

• Trotter Oberrender, Breck: A stabilizing force on the back end, the senior defender always seems to be in the right place.

• John Pitsenbarger, Mpls. Southwest: The skilled midfielder was a second-team All-State selection and is a Mr. Soccer candidate. Great on set pieces.

JIM PAULSEN