Phoenix Rising FC Youth Soccer continues to lead the way in elite player development, and two of our athletes have delivered standout performances this season: Kamryn O. (2013) and Peyton B. (2012), both members of our MLS NEXT Homegrown program and both raising the standard of what it means to be a Rising player.
Peyton B.
On our 2012 MLS NEXT Homegrown team, Peyton has emerged as one of the most impactful players in the entire Southwest Conference, a region featuring some of the top academies in the country, including LAFC and LA Galaxy.
Shaw is unequivocal in his praise: “There isn’t a single player from those top programs I would trade for Peyton. He would always be my first choice.”
Peyton’s ability to break pressure, dominate 1v1s, and consistently deliver decisive moments in the final third makes him a true difference-maker at this level. His elite work ethic and competitive mentality elevate every training session and match he steps into.
Last month, Peyton was recognized by Taka, MLS NEXT’s AI-powered performance platform, as the top-ranked player across all Homegrown age groups, leading the national highlight leaderboard with 127 recognized highlights, the most recorded in MLS NEXT Homegrown nationwide. This reflects not only talent but consistent, high-level impact.
Shaw also credited the support of Mike and Ann Marie, noting their commitment and involvement as essential pieces of Peyton’s journey.
Kamryn O.
Kamryn is the only girl competing in our MLS NEXT program and one of the few nationwide playing in the league. Her place in this environment isn’t symbolic, it’s earned. Every training session, every match, and every moment shows why she belongs at this level.
Coach David Shaw describes her as “a truly special talent” whose impact “comes as no surprise.” Her technical quality, game understanding, and ability to create decisive moments stand well beyond her age. Shaw highlights her work ethic and her drive “to be the best player on the pitch every single night,” calling her a rare type of player any club would be privileged to develop.
Her journey is also marked by the support of her parents, Shelley and Bryan, whom Shaw calls “incredible partners” in her development and wonderful members of our club community.
Kamryn continues to break barriers with humility, competitiveness, and elite-level quality, representing what’s possible for girls competing in high-performance boys’ environments.
Rising Together
Kamryn and Peyton embody the standard of Phoenix Rising’s Homegrown pathway, ambition, humility, talent, and a relentless desire to improve.
We are proud to celebrate their success in this November Spotlight, and we look forward to seeing their journeys continue to rise.
