ECNL PHX Standouts: Best midfielders from 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHOENIX, Arizona - The ECNL National Event wrapped up on Sunday from the Reach 11 Sports Complex. The event featured some of the top club teams in the country in the U17-U12 age groups. PrepSoccer was on hand for all three days of the event. Below is the top performances from the midfielders from the 2026 class from the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MIDFIELDERS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='63770' first='Scottlyn' last='Antonucci'], Legends 07 - Looked like the best player on the field in the Legends win over Crossfire Premier on the opening day of the event. The opposition tried to man-mark her out of the contest and she was still influential. She makes passes that no other player in her class can make.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lana Stewart, Slammers FC 08 - Stewart stood out from the game against Sting Austin. She was in charge of the center of the field. She was confident in her actions and played with that swagger.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25856' first='Kate' last='Kemmerley'], Penn Fusion 08 - Kemmerley struck the ball well and offered a dangerous option on shots from outside of the box. She was a threat on the Legends goal with her ball-striking ability.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112288' first='Samantha' last='Ruiz'], Legends FC 08 - The pink headband midfielder for Legends was a standout in the game against the previously unbeaten Penn Fusion. Her effort and energy were incredible. Her combination of quick passing through the center of the field showed an advanced understanding of how to breakdown a defender.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='82438' first='Juliette' last='Gomez'], Legends FC 08 - Gomez ripped a shot from over 30 yards out that rattled the post.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='24528' first='Madison' last='DiBartolo'], SUSA Academy 08 - Dibartolo was on the ball a lot in the SUSA win over Portland Thorns. She had the assist on the opening goal. She made a nice slip pass.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='20274' first='Sylvie' last='Thompson'], Davis Legacy 08 - Thompson was another bright spot for Davis. Clean on the ball and always working. She was creating opportunities for her side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryan Weber, FC Pride - Weber was dominant in the center of the field for Pride. The box-to-box midfielder dictated where the game was played and did not allow the opposition to break pressure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aliza Boggs, Boise Thorns 08 - Boggs converted a kick from the spot against Santa Rosa. She was also a standout at defensive midfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112427' first='Nev' last='Herzog'], Utah Royals AZ 08 - Herzog was a standout from the midfield for Utah Royals AZ. She used her body well to shield players off the ball and she made strong, accurate passes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eleni Arakas, Sting Dallas Royal 08 - Arakas really impressed me with her passing. She did a good job trying to create through the center. She didn't force passes, and showed good patience on the ball to let her teammates move to get open. She provided a couple of key passes in the game. Sophia Garcia was also a standout for Sting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112727' first='Sophia' last='Baker'], OK Energy 08 - Baker was a standout against La Roca. She made a number of key passes in the game. She had a couple of slip passes with the outside of her foot late in the contest that were really impressive. She makes good decisions on the ball. She is also a weapon with her set piece delivery.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='28444' first='Sydney' last='Scott'], Crossfire Premier 08 - There are a few moments from Scott's game on Saturday that are worth pointing out. She had a shot that hit off the post from post from 30 yards out, which showed her ability to strike a ball cleanly from the run of play with a defender on her. Another moment that showed her ability was when an attacker from Slammers Koge broke free of the defense and looked to be in on goal. Scott raced back and dispossessed the player before she even got into the 18-yard box. It's the combination of those two elements to Scott's game that makes her an elite midfielder in this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='60283' first='Hope' last='McMillin'], FC Stars 07 - The best players shine even in the toughest games, and McMillin had a tough task on Saturday against one of the best attacking midfielders in the country. She went toe-to-toe against the Legends star and held her own. The defensive midfielder was very good when she had to mark, but she was also a standout in possession and keeping it away from the opposition. She made quick decisions on the ball and connected clean passes to her teammates. It was an excellent showing from one of the top 2026 midfielders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='27435' first='Ivy' last='Harding'], La Roca 08 - Harding impressed with what she did off the ball and before she received the ball. She was always scanned and checking her shoulders. On the ball, she did well making good, quick decisions. Hannah Heimuli was also a standout for La Roca.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='27453' first='Kate' last='Fuller'], La Roca 08 - Fuller had a run through the midfield in the second half against OK Energy that should end up on her highlight reel for a long time. Slaloming through challenges while keeping control of the ball, Fuller showed that she has the total package to be a top attacking midfielder in this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->