Preview USYS U17 Girls National League P.R.O. – AZ 

<p class="p1">The US Youth Soccer Girls U17 National League P.R.O. event kicks off on Saturday from the Legacy Sports complex in Mesa, Arizona. The event is a showcase of some of the top teams in the country in the U15 through U19 age groups.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">The 2005 age group features some of the top recruits in the 2023 and 2024 classes for scouts from the next level.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Prior to the event, PrepSoccer chatted with some of the coaches of the successful teams from the competition about their teams, and approach to the US Youth Soccer National League.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Tonka Fusion Elite 05 (MN) leads the way in Group E with a perfect 3-0 record. The Minnesota squad has yet to concede a goal in the National League this season.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> [caption id="attachment_40658" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/AG2_7224-scaled-crop-2219x1457-1647378986.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-40658" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/03/AG2_7224-scaled-crop-2219x1457-1647378986-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Tonka Fusion 05[/caption] <p class="p1">“The club has a motto of ‘For Each Other' and the team truly follows this to heart in playing for each other,” Tonka head coach Jess Kodiak told PrepSoccer in an email interview last week. “The club culture has provided the team with confidence and been a competitive advantage on the field.”</p> <p class="p1">Kodiak credited National League with pushing her squad to another level through challenging competition.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">“The National League has provided fantastic competition that has pushed us to play at a top level,” Kodiak said. “It also has given us exposure to different teams and styles than what we play in the Midwest.”</p> <p class="p1">When asked about any individual standout performances, Kodiak said that it has been a collective effort to enjoy this success so far this season.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">“Overall, the team has been outstanding,” the coach said. “Giving up no goals thus far, is a huge accomplishment to every player. The best part about this team is that every game someone different is stepping up and that we don’t have an all-star that we depend on.”</p> <p class="p1">The team showed during the event in Florida in December that they are really organized and capable of playing some beautiful soccer. It’s obvious from game tape that Tonka is well-coached and plays with purpose. Defensive midfielder Ella Wade, a 2023 recruit, was terrific in the win over Sting 05G. Her positioning and sharp passing in the first half unlocked the opposition. Avery Petty, a 2024 recruit, was also outstanding early in that game. Petty is an attacking midfielder who is good running off the target forward. She has great technique in striking the ball. The whole squad shined in that win, which should attract some college coaches to the fields over the weekend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Tonka Fusion Elite 05 takes on FC Dallas Youth 05 Premier West (TX-N), SDA 05 Girls Orange (NY-W), and FC Dynamo ROC (NY-W) during the event.</p> <p class="p1">In Group D, TFA Elite 05 (OH) is top of the table with a dominant defense and dynamic attack. TFA is a regular at the top of the table in the National League standings. The squad from Ohio has never lost a game in NL play. They are attempting to qualify for Nationals for the fourth consecutive year, a rare feat in club soccer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">“The key to our success is in our diligent preparation,” TFA 05 coach and the club’s Executive Director of Coaching Erik Schoening told PrepSoccer in an email interview last week. “We know the value of training to prepare for this top-level event. We don’t focus on the results, but rather on the process of improving as a collective every day.”</p> <p class="p1">LA Fire 05G (LA), STA Morris United (NJ), and NY Surf Academy (NY) stand in the way of TFA keeping that unbeaten mark alive in the National League, but Schoening said his group is used to the pressure of success.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">“Our players have had to learn how to deal with a pressure filled environment,” the coach said when asked about the benefits of National League. “The players hold each other accountable for their performance, and the groups is able to raise their level for NL Pro.”</p> <p class="p1">The accolades have followed TFA’s players with the success in the National League. Forward Shannon Ott was named to the Team of the Event for the NL P.R.O in Orlando. Ott, a 2023 recruit, is a tremendous athlete who is also a standout on the basketball court. Katelyn Hunt, another 2023 prospect, is also a standout in the attack.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Katie Hoog, another 2023 recruit, is a standout in the defense. She anchors the backline with her leadership. She is also one of the best players in the league in set pieces. She has a knack for getting her head on the ball.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Rachel Ginn, a holding midfielder, and Sarah Bower, goalkeeper, have also been standouts for TFA in National League play this season.</p> <p class="p1">The action kicks off for TFA and the other teams in the National League P.R.O. event on Saturday.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>