James Moberg

PLAYER PROFILE:  JAMES MOBERG

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: Midfielder
Primary Role: Central Midfielder
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 180
DOB: 04/16/1994
Nationality: United States
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: Washington (NCAA-D1)

Part of the US Under-23 Player Pool.

Senior at Washington (NCAA Division 1), Available in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft

2012: Washington (NCAA – D1) – 21 games, 16 starts, 4 goals, 6 assists, 13 shots on target, 2 yellows
2013: Washington (NCAA – D1) – 21 games, 21 starts, 1 goals, 8 assists, 8 shots on target, 2 yellows
2013: Washington Crossfire (PDL) – 9 games, 758 minutes, 2 goals, 16 total shots
2014: Washington (NCAA – D1) – 20 games, 20 starts, 2 goals, 6 assists, 12 shots on target, 1 yellow
2015: Timbers U23 (PDL) – 6 games, 377 minutes, 1 goals, 5 total shots
2015: Washington (NCAA – D1) – 6 games, 6 starts, 3 goals, 6 shots on target, 1 yellow

James was forecasted as a top 10 pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft prior to the 2015 NCAA Division season and he proved this with his play through the first six games of the season scoring three goals in six games, but a knee injury saw him injured the rest of the 2015 season and brings up questions not only to when he will be drafted but is he healthy long-term and worth for a MLS club taking a risk on him.

Moberg played at Maria Carrillo High School in Windsor, California. He was named team captain and MVP and three time 1^st team All-League while playing club soccer at Santa Rosa Atletico Club. He signed with the Washington Huskies, where coach Jamie Clark said “James is a two-way midfielder with the ability to both unlock defences with clever passes in the attacking half of the field as well as buckle down play right in front of the back four in a more defensive role. He has a great feel for the game and is one of the top midfielders coming out of high school on the West Coast.”

Moberg was given full minutes his freshman, but soon established himself in the starting eleven. Throughout his career with the Huskies he played in 68 games, starting 63 of them. He scored 10 goals and added 20 assists. Moberg has good size, sees the game very well, can play the game as a holding or attacking midfielder and also has the skill take to free kicks. Not playing since September might be a concern for scouts and James will have to have a strong combine to put himself back on many MLS clubs radar. There is also concern with his overall sprinting speed and can he play the possession game, but he is one of the only midfielders in the draft that can play deeper but also has offensive potential.

+ High school captain and club MVP
+ Played four seasons with Washington in NCAA Division 1
+ Played PDL soccer with the Washington Crossfire and Timbers U23
+ Selected as part of the US National Team U-23 player pool
+ 2016 MLS combine invite and eligible for the 2016 MLS SuperDraft