Texas Shootout – Defenders to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most traditional soccer showcases in the state of Texas, the Texas Shootout will be held this coming weekend, with matches going on from Friday to Sunday in three different locations around the Houston area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 36th edition of the event will reunite more than 130 teams in the Girls' U15-U19 age groups, in a list that includes some of the top sides from Texas in the ECNL and GA leagues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we prepare for the tournament, let's take a look at some of the top talent that will be in action this week. These defenders will have big roles with their teams in the event:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Charlotte Llorca","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_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":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lamar","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Houstonians 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":"Llorca typically plays as a right back and she'll be on the field with Houstonians FC USC TX RL 05 during the Texas Shootout. She plays with great energy, making numerous runs up and down the field and never running out of gas. She's a solid defensive player, who thrives in 1v1 duels and is very difficult to be beaten - and when that happens, she has the pace to recover and make another attempt to win the ball. Llorca is very intelligent on the field too and, although she doesn't always push forward, she often picks the right moments to do it, quickly getting in the attacking half and offering alternatives to her teammates.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646ff483442aa"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":112924,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/IMG_3486.jpg?w=895" alt="" class="wp-image-112924" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lamar's Charlotte Llorca makes a clearance</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54871"],"_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":"Albion Hurricanes FC ECNL G07's Ken Reed is a very versatile player, who can be used anywhere on the backline and even on midfield. She's a strong defensive player, who's excellent in the air and wins the vast majority of 1v1 duels she's involved with because of her firm and well-time tackles. Much of Reed's versatility comes from her intensity and her great quality on the ball, which shows in a variety of ways. Besides being an excellent passer, she can also make goods run through the flanks to create chances. Reed is very intelligent with her movement off the ball as well, getting into good spots inside the penalty box while the play is developing on the opposite side. Her presence in the penalty box is also an offensive threat in set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646ff4834430c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/kennedylreed/status/1655329345714413583?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/kennedylreed/status/1655329345714413583?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":"Beya Rosales","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Prosper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Dallas Texans","_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":"Rosales typically makes a huge impact in matches with Dallas Texans ECNL G06 from her center back position. A very physical prospect, she uses her body really well to win duels and overpower attackers that come her way. There's a lot of technique and intelligence in Rosales' game too, as she reads plays very well and often is in the perfect place to stop breakaways and win the ball back. A lefty, she has great quality on the ball as well, often initiating offensive plays from the back. She's very calm and confident on the ball and is never afraid of attempting risky plays if she understands the reward would be worth it. The defender also plays a huge leadership role in her team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646ff483443a0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26927"],"_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":"A standout center back for FC Dallas ECNL G07, Gilmore is seeing her stock continue to rise in Texas. She's a key piece in her team's backline, delivering everything a coach would want from a center back. Gilmore has good size, is always in the right position to make plays and is very strong in her defensive actions. She's excellent in 1v1 plays around the penalty box, but is also mobile and intelligent enough to chase attackers in deeper positions and make good plays to win the ball back. The center back is very calm and efficient on the ball, often picking good passes from the back, and also scores goals when she goes up for corners and set pieces.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646ff483443ec"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":100714,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/02/IMG_1637.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-100714" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27199"],"_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":"Mahon is another defender who can play multiple positions on the backline because of her excellent skill set. She's more often used as a right-sided center back with Solar SC ECNL G08 and normally dominates opposing forwards with her strong play. Mahon is strong, intelligent with her positioning and very quick to make defensive plays, putting a lot of pressure on opponents and often pushing them away from the penalty box - she's also relentless in winning the ball back. Another thing that sets her apart is her quality when in possession. She's excellent at distributing the ball from the back, be it with shorter passes or long ones, and can also drive the ball forward herself, making good runs through the middle or the flanks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646ff48344437"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FFfT555M0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FFfT555M0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->