Would the NEPSAC’s top squads be as good without international players?

Alex Adjetey of South Kent. Photo by Mike Gridley/ New England Soccer Journal

Before delving into this week’s prep soccer rankings, I want to consider one question: How dependent are teams on international players? That is to ponder whether or not the NEPSAC’s top squads would still be as successful if it weren’t for those from abroad raising the overall level of play.

South Kent, who’s won back-to-back Class B titles, can claim Ghana as the home nation of arguably its best player in winger Alex Adjetey. Mouhamed Ndiaye, a forward who’s from Senegal, is the best player on Avon Old Farms. With Berkshire, defender Ahria Simons is one of their best players and is a native of Bermuda. Even Milton Academy’s best player, Jeremy Verley, is from Jamaica. You see the trend.