Boys ECNL Playoffs: Tuesday’s Heroics 

<p class="p1"><strong>DEL MAR</strong>, California - The Boys ECNL Playoffs had the U16 and U17 teams in action for the final day of group play on Tuesday. The U18/19 age group also had the semifinal round.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">With so much on the line, there was plenty of excitement at the Surf Cup Sports Park in San Diego in picture-perfect conditions.</p> <p class="p1">Check out the standouts from the games PrepSoccer saw on Tuesday.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Bradly Venalonzo, Real Colorado 06 - Venalonzo had a great goal on a free kick on Tuesday. The center forward hit a bending effort that found the top corner of the net in the 3-2 win over Match Fit Academy. He made some good effort plays that really stood out. He battled for the ball and did well applying pressure. He had some skill on the ball too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="9102" first="Jaxton" last="Knutsen"], Real Colorado 06 - Knutsen was a standout in his role. The defensive midfielder made a couple of winning plays in the center of the field. He was sharp in his movement and smart in possession. Alec Lauretti was a bright spot at left center back. He made some excellent passes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Caleb Davis, Pateadores 03/04 - Davis was a standout defensively in the win over PacNW. He was solid in his approach. He did not make any mistakes and always seemed to anticipate the opponents next move.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="8611" first="Rylan" last="Firouznam"], Pateadores 03/04 - Firouznam is a skillful winger who can cut in or get to the end line. He has great control of the ball and good balance on the ball. He had a strong showing from the winger role in the win over PacNW.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="18233" first="Pedro" last="Monge Munoz"], Pac NW 03/04 - The center back for Pac NW had a good outing until the wheels fell off the bus for his side with a pair of red cards to his teammates that took the wind out of the sails for his team and took most of the drama out of the game. Munoz did well in the tackle and stood strong against a Pateadores’ attack that featured a number of Division I commits. Munoz looks to be a defender to watch from Washington from the class of 2023.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="17698" first="Chad" last="Sovde"], Pac NW 03/04 - The Washington commit showed his quality on Tuesday. He was a bright attacking talent against a defense that featured a number of top prospects from the class of 2022. Sovde is going to flourish in the Washington program. It might take a year or two for him to earn a prominent role but the professional potential is there in the winger/forward.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="17223" first="Gage" last="Lyons"], VA Union 03/04 - Lyons’ game is reminiscent of Matthew Roou. He’s a quick forward who gets into good spots. He has a clean first touch and can play with a defender on his back. He likes to turn and face goal, but he can make an impact through link up play as well. He is a commit to West Point for the 2023 class. Among the 2022 class, Noah Gold and Edward Rendle were standouts in the game. Gold showed excellent qualities to suggest a bright future at the next level.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="15257" first="Milo" last="Larson"], Pittsburgh Riverhounds 05 - Larson did well in the game against South Carolina. He stood out on the field as player with college level qualities. He has a good first touch and sees the field well. He played out of tight spaces with ease.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="15065" first="Andrew" last="Walsh"], Pittsburgh Riverhounds 05 - The left center back for Pittsburgh had an excellent game. He had good instincts and did well stepping in front of the forwards to cut off passes. He valued possession of the ball and did well finding his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id="15266" first="Nicholas" last="Allen"] was also good at center back in the 1-1 draw against South Carolina United.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> [caption id="attachment_49121" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-49121 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/HenryTabb-300x283.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="6327" first="Henry" last="Tabb"], Alabama FC 05" width="300" height="283" /> [player_tooltip player_id="6327" first="Henry" last="Tabb"], Alabama FC 05[/caption] <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="15490" first="Tristan" last="Berzins"], South Carolina United 05 - Berzins was another standout from the draw between Riverhounds and SCU. Berzins provided good cover among the defense. He was strong in aerial duels.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Sean Favor, South Carolina United 05 - Favor had a good outing at right back in the first half against Riverhounds. He shut down his side of the field and had a few good entry passes into the attack.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="6341" first="Jack" last="Heaps"], Alabama FC 05 - Heaps scored a wonderful free kick goal on Tuesday. He buried the ball into the upper corner of the net on a wonderfully placed shot. Heaps stood out because he did not try to do too much, he played simply and saw the best option. He was always in control. He is a verbal commit to Georgetown.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="6327" first="Henry" last="Tabb"], Alabama FC 05 - Tabb is a terrific center back. He was another bright spot of a talented Alabama side. He stood out for his play in the transition. He was good at reading the opposition and stepping into passing lanes. When gaining possession, he was quick to find teammates and jumpstart the attack. Tabb was strong defensively in 1v1 duels. He is a quality center back from the 2023 class.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="6336" first="Jared" last="Smid"], Alabama FC 05 - Smid was fantastic against Pac NW. He was active throughout the first half. He covered ground, put in tackles, and connected passes for his side. He is a versatile player too, as he showed the tools to play a number of roles at the next level (DM, CB, OB). He is a two-way player too. His work rate throughout the half was rewarded with a goal late in the half. Smid looked like one of the top 2024s at the event on Tuesday.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="18037" first="Kai" last="Merrill"], PacNW 05 - Merrill was a standout in the game against Alabama FC. He is a skillful midfielder who is very comfortable on the ball. He is always scanning when in possession and does well in picking out passes. He had two standout key passes in the game - one was a chip with backspin for a potential breakaway, the other was a slip pass that split the outside back and center back. Merrill is a 2023 prospect. PacNW goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id="17555" first="Aidan" last="Strickler"] made a great double save on a chance in the first half. It showed his athleticism and quick reactions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> [caption id="attachment_49123" align="alignright" width="161"]<img class="wp-image-49123 size-medium" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/NicoRuiz-161x300.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="8384" first="Nico" last="Ruiz"], Pateadores 06" width="161" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="8384" first="Nico" last="Ruiz"], Pateadores 06[/caption] <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="8384" first="Nico" last="Ruiz"], Pateadores 06 - [player_tooltip player_id="8384" first="Nico" last="Ruiz"] is so good that I was watching another game and he forced me to switch fields. Ruiz is a forward, who could also be an attacking midfielder based on his skillset. His best attribute is how quickly he reacts, he is always a step quicker to 50/50 balls or any loose possession. He is also very determined. He scores goals, and then he scores again. He was the best 2024 attacking talent on the day. Justin Cuevas and Michael Cherico were also standouts for Pateadores.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">Tobechukwu Ibe, Richmond United 06 - Tobe Ibe is listed as a forward, but the potential is there for an outstanding outside back. He is physical in the point of contact, has the speed to match anyone on the field, and quality on the ball in both dribbling out of pressure or delivering service. Standing at 6-foot-1, he is a 2024 recruit who looks on the fast track to get on the radar of college programs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="7281" first="Christopher" last="Chavez Sanchez"], Legends 06 - Chavez Sanchez was a good target forward. He used his body well to hold off defenders. He had good ball control and was able to escape challenges. Nicholas Giron was another standout from Legends.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="17192" first="Edwin" last="Castillo"], Arlington SA 06 - Castillo is a BIG TIME player. He always delivers in the biggest moments and he did it again on Tuesday with the game-winner against World Class to clinch a spot in the knock-out round for Arlington.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="11770" first="Luke" last="Dunne"], Maryland United 05 - Dunne is a 5-foot-11 midfielder who does everything. He is the set piece expert for his side, the long throw-in specialist, and a bit of everything else too. He is also skillful on the ball. He successfully pulled off a roulette during the run of play. Donik Elshani was another standout in the midfield. He is skillful and has a great first touch. Liam Pierce and [player_tooltip player_id="11710" first="Jackson" last="Henderson"] were also standouts for Maryland.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="9925" first="Henry" last="Guzman"], Miramar United 05 - Guzman was a standout in the 1-0 win over Maryland. He is a very smart player and reads the game well. He showed good decision-making and looked comfortable playing against high pressure in the midfield. [player_tooltip player_id="9620" first="Alexander" last="Champagne"] and [player_tooltip player_id="10172" first="Marko" last="Jaric"] were also standouts for Miramar.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p class="p1">[player_tooltip player_id="9558" first="Tyler" last="Flowers"], Sporting Delaware 05 - Flowers scored another goal on Tuesday. He scored from a set piece that floated over the Beach FC goalkeeper in the 1-1 draw.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>