ECNL PHX Event: PrepSoccer Best XI U15/2007

The ECNL National Event in Arizona featured some of the best players in the country in the U12 through U17 age groups. The older age groups U15, U16, and U17 had the sidelines lined with college coaches and national team scouts. The U15 age group offered a glimpse at the best freshman and eighth graders in the country. There were a number of players with youth national team experience among the age group. PrepSoccer was on hand for all three days of the event. Check out the daily standouts from: <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/04/standouts-from-ecnl-az-day-1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saturday</a> | <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/04/ecnl-az-new-stars-emerge-on-sunday/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunday</a> | <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/04/ecnl-az-mondays-best-performers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monday</a> Following the event, PrepSoccer awards a Best XI from the U15/2007 age group. The players picked for the best of the event team were scouted on hand during the weekend. GK [player_tooltip player_id="28298" first="Lindsay" last="Lowry"], Crossfire Premier 07 - Lowry recorded two shutouts out of the three games in Arizona. In the game where she did give up two goals, she made a couple of terrific saves in the contest. Keira Tupua and Eres Freifeld were also bright spots for Crossfire. D [player_tooltip player_id="19156" first="Ava" last="Paolini"], Slammers FC HB Koge 07 - The Slammers center back was outstanding throughout the weekend as her side went 2-0-1 with only two goals conceded. She picked the right moments to step up and did well putting in clean challenges to win the ball back. She is an excellent passer and going to be a cornerstone piece for the Slammers for years to come. [player_tooltip player_id="19309" first="Daphne" last="Nakfoor"] was outstanding in goal for Slammers as well. D Daya King, Legends FC 07 - King is a star at left back. She has the athletic profile to be a difference-maker at the highest levels. She has the framework for the tactical understanding to match. She is one to watch. Alexis Coughlin and Emma Rodriguez were also standouts on a very good Legends team. D [player_tooltip player_id="24524" first="Maddie" last="Costello"], SUSA 07 - Costello and [player_tooltip player_id="24348" first="Adriana" last="Victoriano"] are excellent outside backs. They both defend well in their technique and tactical approach. SUSA had a rough weekend in Arizona, but Costello and Victoriano caught the eye of scouts with their play on the wings. M Sophia Bushkell, Jacksonville FC 07 - Bushkell has the characteristics of a player who will be playing at the highest level in the future. She has a strong technical base. She is comfortable with both feet and has a high soccer intelligence in how she sees the game and moves on the field. She does an excellent job scanning the field. She is going to be a top recruit from Florida. M Chloe Sandler, La Roca 07 - Sandler impressed with her technical ability in the center of the field. The tiny midfielder was capable of taking over the game. In both the Saturday and Monday games for La Roca, the opposition quickly realized that Sandler was a player to mark but neither could effectively slow her down. She was the player most people talked about over the weekend. She had such a massive impact on the game with her play. M KK Ream, Utah Royals FC-AZ 07 - Ream came into the weekend with high expectations. Already viewed as one of the best players in the country in her age group, Ream lived up to the hype while playing up two age groups. Last time I saw Ream play, she was a winger who was difficult to contain due to her pace and unrelenting approach. This event, she played in an attacking midfield role. Her game is well-rounded to fit that role. She has the dynamic change of pace to get past defenders and attack from the center of the field. She also has the vision to create chances for her teammates. Ream's game is similar to US YNT star Jaedyn Shaw. The sky is the limit for the youngster from Arizona. F Victoria Pugh, LA Breakers 07 - Pugh showed her potential in the big win over Dallas Sting. When she received the ball near the end line in the right channel, she found a lot of success cutting back into her left and getting into good goal scoring positions while on the dribble. She has close control with her left and strikes the ball cleanly even while under pressure. F Avery Bonet, Connecticut FC 07 - It was hard to pick one player from Connecticut FC to make this team, but necessary as the squad went 3-0 with three very challenging games. Bonet is a great teammate. She is a forward who will work her tail off for her team. She presses hard and is relentless in her pursuit of the game. Anne Gnidula was a standout in the National Selection Game. Israel Addison and Emelia Pacheco-Hager combined in goal to only allow two goals throughout the weekend. F [player_tooltip player_id="20055" first="Peyton" last="Marinos"], So Cal Blues 07 - Marinos flashed the potential to be an international level player during the game on Saturday. She was physically dominant on the ball. Lethal in the attacking third. The most impressive element of Marinos' game was how quickly she could get off a shot. Her decisive actions were more advanced than even the best in the age group. F [player_tooltip player_id="19150" first="Ava" last="Harrison"], San Diego Surf 07 - Harrison continues to improve with every event. The winger from the San Diego Surf team has close control of the ball even at full speed, which allows her to change direction on a blade of grass. She is an effective pressing winger with strong defensive instincts. She had a right strong showing in Phoenix, which should keep in the youth national team picture. Outside back Gabby Anderson was also a standout for Surf.