Southwest Florida's Greatest Boys Soccer Player Poll

The case for the scorers

Pure attacking output gives Leo Perez and Patrick Horan two of the strongest cases.

• Perez reportedly finished at Mariner with a school-record 148 goals and 68 assists.
• He was also a three-time local player of the year and later earned major statewide recognition.
• Horan is said to have closed his Canterbury career with 157 goals and 65 assists.
• His final season alone reportedly produced 72 goals and 22 assists.

Those numbers matter because all-time debates often start with one question: who changed matches most often? On raw end product, those two stand out immediately.

Awards and big-stage impact

The report also points to candidates whose résumés are built on major honors and postseason runs.

• Andrew Palumbo reportedly delivered back-to-back elite seasons for Bishop Verot, pairing goals with assists at a very high level.
• Alessandro Gonzalez is said to have turned a huge senior year at Mariner into both regional and statewide recognition.
• Chris Welling reportedly ended his Naples career with 101 goals and a Gatorade honor.

Then there is the title argument. Sebastian Joffre helped Gulf Coast to a state championship, while Damian Vincent, Ricky Louis, Harvey Sarajian and Emerson LaOrden are all tied, in different ways, to deep playoff runs or landmark team success.

What voters are really choosing

This poll is not only about who scored the most. It is about how greatness is defined.

• Totals reward longevity.
• Awards reward dominance.
• Titles reward legacy.

That is why this race feels wide open. One voter may lean toward unmatched scoring volume; another may prioritize the player who carried a school to its biggest moment. As the poll runs, the next storyline to watch is whether voters back the record-breakers - or decide that championships still carry the loudest argument.