Boys ECNL Phoenix: National Selection Game Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Boys Phoenix game was held over the weekend. It was the first national event for the high school ages this season. The National Selection Game brought the fireworks. The two teams combined for nine goals during the showcase.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With only two commits playing, the game was a perfect showcase for some of the top talents from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 classes. Check out the players who stood out from the National Selection Game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["17571"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Washington State Player of the Year delivered in the Nationals Selection Game in the opening 10 minutes. Harris scored the opener for Team East. Harris' finish was a one-touch volley off a nice cross from Nico Desisto. The adjustment and timing of his run were very impressive for the center forward. There is a lot to like about Harris' game. He showed that he can be a valuable linking piece in the build-up: good first touch, nice vision, and quick decision-maker. Harris has more athletic ability than one might anticipated, and he showed in the past he can finish in a variety of ways. He is Listed as an uncommitted prospect from 2023.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Donovan Parisian ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"FC Arizona","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oulYp1gyOP0u0022u003eLink to Highlights u003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnThe 6-4 goalkeeper was busy in the first half. He made a number of saves in the opening 45 minutes. He was not required to make any spectacular save, but he was solid and consistent. He did well in a close-range shot in staying big and cutting down the angle. The tall goalkeeper got down well on a low shot that may have taken a deflection late in the first half. He is an uncommitted 2023 prospect.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Danny Barbosa","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Del Mar Sharks","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45a9rI7mc8Iu0022u003eLink to Highlightsu003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnBarbosa was instrumental in the Team West opening goal. He made two key passes in the movement including the toe-touch that put the opposition defense off-balance and opened up the field. The midfielder has quick feet and good vision. He is comfortable on either foot. He is a two-way midfielder - a good prospect for the No. 8 position. He is an uncommitted 2023 recruit.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["17835"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Howard is exactly what you want from a defensive midfielder - smart, good on the tackle, quick-decisions, excellent passer. He showed his quality in the National Selection Game as he had a number of highlight-reel worthy moments. The tall midfielder is a Georgetown commit for 2023.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Djibognihou Koulai ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"BVB IA Texas","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Koulai's goal to start the second half was something special. He is the type of attacking talent to has that type of game. He can provide a bit of magic out of nothing. He dribbled through a few and then finished as he was falling over. Koulai has the speed and skill to be an impact player at the next level. He also showed that he is a weapon on set pieces. He will be a target for college coaches looking for an attacking option from 2023.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Jimmy Castillo","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Serrano","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"Sporting CA USA","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Castillo, the left winger, was very active in the first half. There is a certain desire from every coach to want their wingers to always demand the ball and Castillo definitely fits that ball. He likes to start wide and cut inside. He is a right-footed player so it plays to his strength. If he continues to improve his left foot, he will be a real weapon on the wing at the next level. He already has the dynamic burst and elusive skillset to be a handful in duels.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Noe Morales","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"Legends FC","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Felt like Morales was always around the ball when he was on the field. Over a 10-minute stretch in the second half, Morales had two great shots - he was denied on both as a good save from [player_tooltip player_id='7464' first='Dillan' last='Danks'] thwarted him on one effort and the post saved the other. As one of the youngest players in the game, Morales looks to be on to watch for the future.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["8204"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"It's easy to envision Bottene's contributions at the next level. He is an attacking midfielder who is clean on the ball. He is a clever player who opened up the game with his passing. He made a couple of key tackles in the midfield as he spurred on the attack for his side in the second half.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Zachary Castrence","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"San Juan SC","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"In a game that lacked defense, Castrence put in a good shift at outside back. He stood up attackers and got stuck in on challenges. He was good on the ball as well. He showed off a well-rounded game from the right back.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["8198"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Portillo had a good second half. He was active on the ball. He is the type of midfielder who likes to dribble through defenders. He found success in the later stages of the game as tired legs led to a foul in the box. He converted from the spot. Portillo is a 2024 midfielder to put on the radar from Northern California.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["7792"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Portillo had a good second half. He was active on the ball. He is the type of midfielder who likes to dribble through defenders. He found success in the later stages of the game as tired legs led to a foul in the box. He converted from the spot. Portillo is a 2024 midfielder to put on the radar from Northern California.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-637bc6510d6d8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->