ECNL Phoenix: PrepSoccer Best XI

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spoiler alert: there are more than 11 players on this list. Cuts were too difficult to make, so there is a full squad listed below. The takeaway being that ECNL Phoenix (Fall) had too many top teams in attendance - there was a rematch of a National Semifinal during one day of the event and it didn't feel like the best game of the day. The level was so high throughout the competition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Best XI was selected from the games scouted in person at the event. The team performance was taken into consideration for players to make the Best XI (i.e. preference was given to players who played on teams that went 3-0 or 2-0-1 at the event).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PrepSoccer ECNL Phoenix Best XI&nbsp;</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GK [player_tooltip player_id='26709' first='Evan' last='O'Steen'], Solar SC 07 - Solar SC finished the event with only one goal conceded. O'Steen and her defense did well against some of the best teams in the country. [player_tooltip player_id='26971' first='Leah' last='Negeri'], [player_tooltip player_id='26670' first='Emerson' last='Garcia'], [player_tooltip player_id='26768' first='Hannah' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='26634' first='Coda' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='26393' first='Ainsley' last='McCammon'] were also considered for this Best XI team from Solar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D [player_tooltip player_id='64110' first='Reese' last='Wroblewski'], Beach FC 07 - Wroblewski was a standout at outside back for Beach FC during ECNL Phoenix. She is comfortable on the ball and serves a great cross. She is solid in the defensive aspect of the game. She rarely makes a mistake and does well in the tackle. Vailana Tu'ua and [player_tooltip player_id='63946' first='Shannon' last='Davidson'] were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D [player_tooltip player_id='21749' first='Kai' last='Price'], Concorde Fire Platinum 07 - Price is the prototype of the modern center back. She is a weapon in possession with her passing and game awareness. She is a defensive asset because she has the speed to chase down anyone. Price is a big time prospect already, and she will continue to be a top player to watch at future events. Madison Bentil and Ella Martinez were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D [player_tooltip player_id='23542' first='Mia' last='Devrouax'], SLSG Navy 06 - The versatile player from SLSG Navy was one of a few options from the SLSG squad. Devrouax played as a winger and an outside back. She is a two-way player who loves to compete. Alexandra Pfeiffer, Lillian Freer, and Haden Vlcek were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M/D [player_tooltip player_id='63688' first='Emily' last='Baraceros'], Mustang SC 06 - Barceros could probably play anywhere on the field. She moves her feet really well - especially in individual defending situations. The Mustang squad went 2-0-1 in Phoenix with two shutouts. [player_tooltip player_id='19682' first='Kaya' last='Durkee'], Luana Veras, and Allyson Graff were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M [player_tooltip player_id='63471' first='Mimi' last='Yamamoto'], Bay Area Surf 07 - The defensive center midfielder was excellent at pulling the strings for her side. Surf went throughout the event with only one goal conceded - and 18 goals scored. Yamamoto was the best player at the event in field awareness and passing. [player_tooltip player_id='33320' first='Jocelyn' last='Travers'] was also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M [player_tooltip player_id='33313' first='Melanie' last='Barcenas'], San Diego Surf 06 - Barcenas is a highly rated prospect in the U.S. Youth National Team system. She is an attacking midfielder who has been playing up an age group or two at a very high level for the past few seasons. She really impressed at this event for her defensive play. She pressed the opposition with relenting determination. On the ball, she's a magician. Surf scored 13 goals in three games against some of the best defenses in the league. Barcenas was a major reason why they were so successful in the final third. [player_tooltip player_id='19598' first='Jordyn' last='Bugg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='19242' first='Caroline' last='Dysart'] were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M [player_tooltip player_id='63770' first='Scottlyn' last='Antonucci'], Legends FC 07 - Antonucci is a 2026 who has a starring role on a terrific Legends FC team. She is a two-way midfielder who has playmaking abilities. She has a strong technical foundation that suggest she will have a bright future in the game. Mia Corona, [player_tooltip player_id='19284' first='Claire' last='Roybal'], and Lexi Coughlin were also considered for this Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M Ava Sherrer, San Diego Surf 07 - Sherrer played as the defensive midfielder for Surf that went 3-0 at the event. She was excellent at quickly connecting passes - one or two-touch play. She was incredible smart in her positioning. Sherrer has a bright future. [player_tooltip player_id='54188' first='Katie' last='Ellermeyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='19150' first='Ava' last='Harrison'], and [player_tooltip player_id='54187' first='Thaleia' last='Tsintikidou'] were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='26668' first='Emeri' last='Adames'], Solar SC 06 - The Solar squad went undefeated at the event with a 2-0-1 record. There were plenty of noteworthy performances from the group. Adames was exceptional in the final third. [player_tooltip player_id='26405' first='Alexa' last='Barker'], [player_tooltip player_id='26916' first='Kennedy' last='Fuller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='33383' first='Abby' last='Mills'] were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='20686' first='Raleigh' last='Greason'], Real Colorado National 07 - The left winger had a breakout performance at ECNL Phoenix. It felt like she was a constant threat in the game. She can do it all herself - her defensive pressure helped create chances. Abby Ballek was also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='21757' first='Kara' last='Croone'], Concorde Fire Platinum 06 - Croone was unstoppable in Phoenix. Her three-goal performance against San Diego Surf was jaw-dropping good. The UCLA commit is playing with a ton of confidence right now. [player_tooltip player_id='21470' first='Anna' last='Claire Jacobi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='21801' first='Kylie' last='Briscoe'] were also considered for the Best XI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='26617' first='Charli' last='Harris'], FC Dallas 07 - Harris showed up big in the biggest moments for FC Dallas. It felt like she was all over the field. The energizer bunny on the wing provided meaningful contributions on offense and defender for FC Dallas. [player_tooltip player_id='26783' first='Holly' last='Storer'], [player_tooltip player_id='26532' first='Aviana' last='Gutierrez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='27136' first='Nylah' last='Norris'] were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='19178' first='Ayva' last='Jordan'], Slammers FC HB Koge 07 - Jordan is the type of player that game plans are designed to stop, but she still manages to score. The Slammers club has produced a number of top players in its history. Jordan and some other players on this Slammers FC HB Koge 07 might go down among the top to play at play at the club. [player_tooltip player_id='19156' first='Ava' last='Paolini'], Finley Lacher, [player_tooltip player_id='62477' first='Maya' last='Woolforde'], and [player_tooltip player_id='19742' first='Kylie' last='Secoda'] were also considered for the Best XI.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='26332' first='Jaden' last='Thomas'], FC Dallas 06 - We nearly ended up with 11 forwards on the Best XI, but Thomas needs to be on here. The attacking trio of FC Dallas ([player_tooltip player_id='26332' first='Jaden' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='26846' first='Juliette' last='Rayo'], and [player_tooltip player_id='26516' first='Ava' last='McDonald']) are a special group. They punched in six goals in three games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others considered: [player_tooltip player_id='56898' first='Cherry' last='Yu'] (Sporting Blue Valley 07), [player_tooltip player_id='24838' first='Karina' last='Peat'] (Wilmington Hammerheads 07), Jalen Chaney (Dallas Texans)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->