ECNL Phoenix: Best Performances from the Class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHOENIX, Arizona - The scouting process for the class of 2026 has not started for the most part, but the event in Arizona over the weekend was a good showcase for that freshman class (and a couple of eighth graders) as they performed admirably against the top talent from the 2025 class (current sophomores). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer was on hand throughout the weekend at the Reach 11 Sports Complex. Below are the standouts from the 2026 (and a couple of special 2027s) that stood out from the games - even while playing up a couple of age groups for some. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ECNL Phoenix: Best Performances from the Class of 2026/2027</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='63770' first='Scottlyn' last='Antonucci'], Legends FC 07 - Antonucci is a long way off the college recruiting journey, but it's hard not to remark on the Legends midfielder. She is an attacking midfielder who bosses the game. She is a great passer, and a willing shooter from anywhere inside 30 yards. She strikes the ball cleanly with excellent technique. She is quick and difficult to contain. Antonucci has international level potential.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mia Corona, Legends FC 07 - Corona is a 2027 who is also a midfielder. She is a top prospect from California in the 2009 age group and played up two age groups at this event. Corona is going to be in the national team picture for this age group in the future. She is one of the players who also plays on a boys club team. She is skillful, tough, and driven.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ella Martinez, Concorde Fire Platinum 07 - Martinez really impressed with her effort. She gave her all to her team. She had standout moments both in possession and while defending. She is an impactful player, an easy player for scouts to love because of the effort she gives on the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='19178' first='Ayva' last='Jordan'], Slammers FC HB Koge 07 - Jordan is the type of player that the whole team needs to defend. She has the game-breaking ability with her attacking skills. She is a downhill player that puts defenders immediately on their heels.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25315' first='Olivia' last='Wright'], OK Energy 07 - Wright did a bit of everything for her side. She also hit an excellent free kick.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miley Blough, San Juan SC 07 - Blough was always on the ball and never dispossessed. She was patient in possession and waited for her teammates to get open instead of rushing options. She was a key piece of the success for San Juan side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='61679' first='Gwen' last='Zimmerman'], Eclipse Select 07 - Zimmerman impressed with her passing. She did an excellent job at zipping passes on the ground to the forwards on Eclipse. With accuracy and pace, she found open teammates and broke through pressure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finley Lachler, Slammers FC Koge 07 - Lachler, a midfielder, was a standout against Sporting Blue Valley. She has quick feet and good vision. She is confident on the ball and makes quick decisions. She made a couple of key passes in the second half.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kendall McCord, Sting Dallas Royal 07 - McCord impressed with her quality defensively against Bay Area Surf. She defended well in 1v1 situations. She also has a well-rounded game as she did well in possession as well. The left center back was good with both feet - connecting passes to teammates all over the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addyson McElhaney, Sting Dallas Royal 07 - McElhaney was a hard-worker for Sting. She did well in slowing down Bay Area Surf. She made a couple of tackles. The versatile player is one to watch for the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='26617' first='Charli' last='Harris'], FC Dallas 07 - Harris is a left winger who seems to always make a play in the biggest moment. She provided the assist in FC Dallas' 1-0 win over Beach FC.&nbsp;She is always involved in the play and has a good competitive spirit. She's one to watch from Texas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='27136' first='Nylah' last='Norris'], FC Dallas 07 - Not sure if Norris is a 2026, but she is getting placed in this list for now. She did well against Beach FC. She showed quality on the ball as she made a number of passes early in the first half. Her movement on and off the ball showed that she should be highly regarded as a two-way midfielder in this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='18847' first='Saydie' last='Herbert'], Utah Royals AZ 07 - Herbert was a spark in the attack for Utah Royals AZ. She had good pace and was able to get away from the defenders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='23554' first='Radleigh' last='Childers'], Kansas City Athletics 07 - Childers scored a goal in the 3-3 draw against Utah Royals AZ. She also provided a weapon in the attack with her flip throw-ins.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie DiMaria, SLSG Navy 07 - DiMaria is one of those special talents that is part of the 2027 class. She was playing up a couple of age groups at the event. She looks to be one to watch for the future after scoring twice at ECNL Phoenix. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='48333' first='Rylee' last='McLanahan'], Solar SC 06 - I believe [player_tooltip player_id='48333' first='Rylee' last='McLanahan'] was one of the only 2026s playing in the 06 age group over the weekend. She is getting invaluable experience playing alongside and against the best 2024s and 2025s in the country. The future is very bright from the attacking talent from Oklahoma. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='21812' first='Layla' last='Washington'], Concorde Fire Platinum 07 - Washington, the right center back for Concorde Fire's exception 07 squad, had an excellent showing at ECNL Phoenix. She was a key piece of the defense that shut down the Legends attack in a scoreless draw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='23361' first='Alexandra' last='Pfeiffer'], SLSG Navy 06 - Pfeiffer was the other 2026 playing among the 2006 age group. The SLSG standout played in the National Selection Game on Friday, and then starred for her club side on Saturday and Sunday including a a stellar performance against Solar to end the weekend in Arizona. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->