ECNL National Playoffs: PrepSoccer’s 06 Best XI
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The ECNL National Playoffs in Southern California wrapped up last week from the Surf Cup Sports Park. The event featured most of the best players in the country in the 2004 through 2010 age groups. PrepSoccer was on hand for…
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Continue ReadingThe ECNL National Playoffs in Southern California wrapped up last week from the Surf Cup Sports Park. The event featured most of the best players in the country in the 2004 through 2010 age groups. PrepSoccer was on hand for the games, but spent most of the time focused on the 2006 through 2008 age groups. Check out our Best XI from the 2008 and 2007.
Below is the Best XI from the 2006 age group. The Best XI is awarded to the players who were impactful and influential to their team’s success at the event. We limit each team to only one player on the Best XI.
ECNL National Playoffs: PrepSoccer’s 06 Best XI
The Slammers goalkeeper deserves her own spotlight as her squad ended the event with only one goal conceded in the final three games of the event. This is also a credit to the whole Slammers group who put together a string of impressive showings to advance to the National Finals in Richmond. Maciana Land Maciana Land D CA was outstanding against So Cal Blues. Jaiden Anderson Jaiden Anderson M Huntington Beach (CA) | 2024 #120 Nation CA and Sydney Osborn Sydney Osborn F CA were a perfect 1-2 punch and combined expertly on the opening goal against Blues. Taryn Raibon Taryn Raibon D #221 Nation CA , Riley Crooks Riley Crooks null | D Edison | 2025 State #223 Nation CA , Alexis Thomas Alexis Thomas D CA , and Emily Trapp Emily Trapp D CA were excellent defensively.
The outside back for Charlotte SA was one of the best discoveries from a player outside of our prospect index at the event. Clyburn is a two-way weapon at left back. Immediately, her speed jumps off the field. She is FAST! With track speed (she holds her high school record in the 100, 200, and 400), Clyburn is a tough player for most to contain or try to get past. She hits a great service too – with either foot. She should be a high priority target for the 2025 class as it’s easy to see how she could step into the lineup tomorrow. Meredith Palmer Meredith Palmer M NC , Lileah Devereaux Lileah Devereaux D NC , and Kayce Taylor Kayce Taylor GK State NC were also standouts for CSA.
Winger makes some plays during a game that seem impossible. The athleticism is really impressive. She had a block in the first half against MVLA that not many youth players could make or would even attempt to make. Amy Angel Amy Angel null | M VA and Lauren Carpenter Lauren Carpenter F Kettle Run (VA) | 2024 State VA were also standouts for VDA.
San Diego Surf had some of the best performances at the event. They only let in one goal through the four games while dominating possession in every contest. Bugg is just a part of the puzzle – it takes a full squad to play the way that Surf does at this level. Bugg earns this spotlight for her performance against PDA. There were a few moments in the first half when she made runs forward and moved up a level. The positional versatility is exciting from one of the top players in the 2025 class.
Highlights
Hailey impressed me with her performance against Mustang SC. She was excellent defensively in the tight loss. She also provided a couple of perfect services on free kicks. Her delivery altered between floated and driven and gave the defense a lot of problems. She is very comfortable on her right foot in possession. As long as she continues to develop her passing with her left, she will be a top center back from the 2025 class. Bella Ayscue, a top 2024 prospect, was outstanding for NC Courage.
This is Durkee’s second appearance on a Best XI this season after her performances in Phoenix from the fall. There is something to be said about center backs who like to put in a tackle and make good decisions on the ball. The toughness of Durkee definitely stands out, but she is never reckless. She is conservative in her decision-making – I rarely see her fly into a tackle or just dash into the attack as the first option – and her thought-process helps her team get into advantageous positions and play winning soccer. Luana Marie Veras and Tabitha Rountree Tabitha Rountree M CA stood out among the midfielders for Mustang. Gianna Giusto Gianna Giusto D CA was a bright spot at outside back.
This was a tough choice between Pfeiffer and her teammate Caroline Birkel Caroline Birkel null | GK State #15 Nation MO . Then there were about nine other players on SLSG Navy who were also worthy of consideration on this list. The SLSG Navy team might be the most enjoyable and exciting team in this age group. Pfeiffer ends up earning the spotlight because the quality she brings from a playmaking standpoint is unmatched across the age groups in the ECNL. A skillful dribbler who plays with a ton of confidence, Pfeiffer is the type of talent who decides championships and SLSG Navy is counting on that as they let her run the show in the attack with this group.
Highlights
Scott and Internationals ripped through the competition in Southern California with 17 goals scored in four games. The highly decorated midfielder lived up to her reputation as she bossed her way past the competition. Renowned as one of the most competitive players in the ECNL, Scott refused to be denied the ball, the goal, or the victory from the Champions League playoffs. Ella Grode, AnnaMarie Williams, and Jadin Bonham were also standouts for Internationals.
Haws was a standout for MVLA, which advanced to the Round of 16 at the event. She looked comfortable against the pressure from VDA. She used her skill and vision to evade challenges and played a few key passes in the first half. Samantha Sanchez Samantha Sanchez F State #28 Nation CA was also a bright spot for MVLA.
Fuller was outstanding against Connecticut FC in the Round of 16 victory for Solar. Decisive in her movement and passing, Fuller pulled the strings for the Texas team in the middle channel and provided key passes to the attacking threats. She was clean in possession and never looked like she rushed to make a move. The future is so bright for the Solar standout. Brooklyn Miller led Solar in scoring for the week. Abby Mills and Alexa Barker were standouts defensively against CFC.
Highlights
A hat trick in the Round of 16 victory was more than enough to get Smith on this team. The talented center forward, who is part of the LSU 2024 class, was outstanding in Del Mar and gave a good reminder that this Rapids team is coming for the national championship. I believe Smith also had the assist on the game-winner against MVLA as it felt like she had key contributions in every game during this event. Lexi Meyer, Adi Walick, and Madeline Burr were also outstanding for Rapids. Goalkeepers Sydney Nelm and Lucy Garnsey Lucy Garnsey 5’7″ | GK Colorado | 2025 State #124 Nation CO combined for only one goal conceded from the four wins.