ECNL Houston Stellar Midfielders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston hosted the latest ECNL Girls National Event on President's Day weekend, with 225 teams from all over the country competing across five divisions at two venues in the region from Friday to Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best talent of American club soccer was in attendance and so was Prep Soccer. We covered the last two days of the event and have already shared our first impressions about some of the individual standouts from Sunday (<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-2-standouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recap</a> | <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-2-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery</a>) and Monday (<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-3-standouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recap</a> | <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-day-3-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery</a>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll continue to highlight the most impressive players we got to see in action over the week, but now splitting them by position. Now it's time to feature the midfielders that had the most impact on their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26791"],"_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":"FC Dallas 07's star midfielder was one of the cleanest players on the ball when I watched her team beat SLSG Navy 07 2-0 on Sunday. Playing very centrally, she was Dallas' offensive hub and did great things while on the ball. Besides being technically gifted, Martinez is also very intelligent. I saw her get the ball in tight spaces numerous times and, in the vast majority of them, she was able to give it to a teammate in a much better position despite the pressure. She was also very good at dribbling the ball upfield with some interesting urns and changes of direction.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b7d1"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":98954,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_1598.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-98954" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FC Dallas 07 vs. SLSG Navy 07</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["57656"],"_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":"Flammia played more on the right side of Richmond United 07 and she was one of the architects of their 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids 07. She was really strong in possession and made several smart plays with the ball. Flammia is a very good passer, but above anything, she times her passes really well and finds teammates in good spots. Another great thing about her game is that she doesn't believe there's a good play to be made, she doesn't have any problems with resetting it and circulating the ball. Flammia also displayed good quality on long-distance shots and in set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b82f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20469"],"_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":"I watched Beck in the same match playing for the Colorado Rapids 07 and although her team ended up losing, she made a really good impression with her strong game. A defensive midfielder, she's excellent at closing the space in the middle and winning the ball back. Beck uses her body well to outpower opponents away from the ball but is also very strong and intense with her tackles, interrupting some dangerous plays. She was also solid in possession, using both feet well and hitting some good long and through passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b877"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16829240/63f6abeb64df1d09ac4ff687' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f7de0038886"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26916"],"_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":"Fuller had possibly the most dominant individual performance I saw all weekend by helping her Solar SC 06 top Crossfire Premier 06 3-0 on Sunday. She scored twice in that match, but, most importantly, seemed to be everywhere on the field. Fuller was great offensively as, besides the goals, she also created chances with good runs and combination plays, but also did great defensive work, tracking back and winning a lot of plays in the middle. A very versatile player, she circulated all around the field and made good plays from both more advanced and deeper positions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b8bb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KennedyFuller07/status/1628482851967467521?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KennedyFuller07/status/1628482851967467521?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Other Positional Standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-elite-goalkeepers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goalkeepers</a> *<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/ecnl-houston-top-tier-fullbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fullbacks</a> *<a href="http://ecnl-houston-lockdown-center-backs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center Backs</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23512"],"_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":"I watched Freer when her SLSG Navy 06 team had a scoreless tie with OK Energy FC 06 on Sunday. It's probably fair to say that no player was on the ball more often than her as, from her defensive midfield role, she had a big impact on both sides of the ball. Freer covered a lot of ground on defense, helping her team win the ball back from both her central position and the flanks with well-time tackles. She was also very active and involved in possession, helping her team build from the back with good passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b908"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/LilyFreer1/status/1627796959233822721?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LilyFreer1/status/1627796959233822721?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26551"],"_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":"Ferrell was the heart and soul of her Sting Austin 06 team when they beat Sporting Iowa 06 on Sunday. A very intense and dynamic player, she performed a strong two-way role in the center of the field for her team and made a major impact on the game. Ferrell gave her a good rhythm of play from her central midfield position and did a lot of work off the ball to help the defense. Offensively, she's a very complete and well-rounded player, with good vision and the ability to finish from distance.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b94b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/BreckynFerrell/status/1627860555540189185?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/BreckynFerrell/status/1627860555540189185?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26863"],"_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":"Kennedy's younger sister Kamdyn also played a big role for her team Solar 08 during the tournament. I watched her on Monday, in a 1-1 tie with Concorde Fire Platinum 08 in which she did a lot of great things from the middle. Fuller is very technical on the ball and has excellent vision, a combination that allows her to think and execute well. She sees passes that nobody else does and is great at breaking pressure with her play. Fuller also displayed a solid game around the penalty box, making combination plays with striker [player_tooltip player_id='89148' first='Kamiya' last='Beck'] and crashing into the box to finish.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5b98e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KamdynFuller10/status/1627513702705504260?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KamdynFuller10/status/1627513702705504260?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Makenna Holub","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Eastside FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Holub was really impressive with Eastside FC 08. She was probably the tiniest player on the field in a 2-0 win over Kansas City Athletics 08 on Monday, but played bigger than anyone else, winning a lot of balls in the middle. She was brilliant at shielding her team's backline and made several tackles in the middle. Holub reads the game extremely well and is always in a good position to cover her teammates. Numerous times she came out of nowhere to get a tackle right after one of her teammates had been beaten off the dribble. In possession, Holub connects simple and short passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5ba29"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":99599,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_2020.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-99599" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Eastside FC 08 vs. Kansas City Athletics 08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["28400"],"_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 midfielder was one of the top players in her team Crossfire Premier 08 when they defeated Sting Dallas Black 08 2-1 on Monday. Very smooth on the ball, she was involved with most of her team's offensive actions, finding good passes from the middle or making good runs and generating space with her dribbling ability. She's a very complete player who can pass, dribble and finish at a high level. Koszrous was also very intelligent from a tactical standpoint as she often dropped deeper to generate space for wider players.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f69e1c5ba77"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":99640,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_2498.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-99640" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sting Dallas Black 08 vs. Crossfire Premier 08</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->