ECNL Girls Playoffs – Goalkeepers to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After long nine months of competition, the highlight of the season is right around the corner in the ECNL Girls League, with the playoffs set to begin on Friday, June 24, in San Diego, California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As many as 348 teams from the entire country will head to the West Coast to compete in the six age groups in an event that will reunite the absolute best talent in the country to fight for a spot in the ECNL Finals, which will take place in Richmond, Virginia, in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the days leading up to the start of the ECNL Playoffs, I'll highlight some of the most promising players I got to watch during the season, starting with the goalkeepers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27111"],"_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":"Paley's presence between the posts is one of the things that makes of Solar SC G06 one of the top teams in the country in the age group. The Texans are really hard to score at because after getting past their strong backline, opponents still have to beat the outstanding Paley. An Oklahoma commit, she has all the tools anyone would want on an elite goalkeeper as she's calm, athletic and efficient. Paley reads the game very well, which helps with her positioning, but is also very quick and determined to react when she has to. She's very explosive when going to the ball and rarely gives up second-chance opportunities with her saves. Paley is also very confident with the ball at her feet and often connects good long passes out of the back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488ca86aa3ed"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/MorganPaley/status/1668654119131787271?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/MorganPaley/status/1668654119131787271?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23405"],"_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":"Recognized as one of the best in the country in her position, Birkel will be operating in goal for SLSG Navy G06 in San Diego. She's excellent between the posts, using her reflexes and superior technical skills and has really made a name for herself over the last few years. Birkel is consistent and very difficult to score at. She has a tendency to rise to the occasion in big moments and make clutch saves for her team. One skill that sets her apart, however, is her ability to play the ball with her feet. Birkel is excellent in possession and her teammates very frequently give her the ball when they want to reset a play. She's very confident and often connects good passes, helping her team initiate another offensive push.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488ca86aa491"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1627408011214954506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1627408011214954506%7Ctwgr%5E044175ec9a2622f14d405154f6504639bb5fc02a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10u0026amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepsoccer.com%2F2023%2F02%2Fecnl-houston-elite-goalkeepers%2F","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/grtorres/status/1627408011214954506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1627408011214954506%7Ctwgr%5E044175ec9a2622f14d405154f6504639bb5fc02a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepsoccer.com%2F2023%2F02%2Fecnl-houston-elite-goalkeepers%2F </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["48068"],"_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":"Murphy is one of the good names to emerge in the goalkeeper position in Texas over the last few years. She's been having a very good season playing for DKSC G07 and will be instrumental in her team's aspirations in San Diego. Murphy is a player that often impresses because of her ability to make acrobatic saves. She's explosive when going to the ball and is great at fully stretching her body, which allows her to cover a larger area of the goal. The shot-stopper also does well dealing with short-distance finishes, displaying very good reflexes. She has a very positive attitude on the field too, one that you often find in the best players in her position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488ca86aa530"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr8zZdtrqd_/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr8zZdtrqd_/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21649"],"_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":"Owen is one of the top goalkeepers in her age group in Georgia and will be trying to keep Concorde Fire Platinum 08 in good shape this week in San Diego. The security and stability she provides between the posts is one of the main strengths of the team as they know she's capable of keeping even the most offensive-talented opponents under control on a good day. Owen's reflexes are really good and she's the kind of goalkeeper that never hesitates or backs down when she decides to make a play. She has a big wingspan and, paired with her ability to quickly get off her line, it helps her have an above-average success rate in 1v1 situations. Owen is also clean in possession and doesn't make mistakes with the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488ca86aa5af"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1627725383725350931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1627725383725350931%7Ctwgr%5E83763dba8245bfff7899722b1a5622cbd9aac3a8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10u0026amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepsoccer.com%2F2023%2F02%2Fecnl-houston-elite-goalkeepers%2F","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/grtorres/status/1627725383725350931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1627725383725350931%7Ctwgr%5E83763dba8245bfff7899722b1a5622cbd9aac3a8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fprepsoccer.com%2F2023%2F02%2Fecnl-houston-elite-goalkeepers%2F </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":"Virginia Green","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_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":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Father Ryan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Tennessee Soccer Club","_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":"Green left a very good impression when I watched her play in the ECNL Houston event in February and it's no surprise that she helped her talented Tennessee Soccer Club G08 make it to the playoffs. She has some solid skills between the posts, but perhaps what's most impressive in her game is that she'll do whatever it takes to keep the ball off the net. Green is never afraid of moving around and jumping over players to collect crosses inside the penalty box and won't think twice if she thinks she has to get off her line to stop a shot. She's also good with her feet and can not only connect good passes from the back, but also take goal kicks with great precision.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488ca86aa809"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/virginiacgreen/status/1663686214812090368?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/virginiacgreen/status/1663686214812090368?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->