ECNL San Diego: Best of the best from 09s
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ECNL San Diego wrapped up on Monday from the Surf Sports Complex in Southern California. The event featured over 30 teams from the 09 age group. After three days of games, there are only four teams that went 3-0 from…
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Continue ReadingECNL San Diego wrapped up on Monday from the Surf Sports Complex in Southern California. The event featured over 30 teams from the 09 age group. After three days of games, there are only four teams that went 3-0 from the action: Dallas Texans, San Juan SC, AHFC, and MVLA.
Below are the standouts from those teams from the games that PrepSoccer scouts saw from the event.
It looks like we were way too low on Cox based on this past weekend. She did everything for her team in the win over Surf. She was terrific in that game. Surf only found success when they purposefully played away from her. She reads the game well, wins her duels, and anticipates where to be. She setup the first goal for Texans in the come-from-behind victory. She also had an outrageous assist on the second goal.
Wilson was outstanding against Surf. She won so many tackles and made a number of key plays to stop the onslaught from one of the top teams in the country. Her passing out of the pressure could’ve been better on the day, but it’s hard to argue with how important she was defensively in that game. Some of the athletic slide tackles she had to cut out passes were jaw-dropping good. She had a player of the match performance. Isabella Byrd Isabella Byrd 5’3″ | D Mansfield | 2027 TX was also a standout from the Texans defense. She did well in the second half in shutting don the left side of the Surf attack. She also had a sublime assist to Amira Kamara Amira Kamara F TX in the second half that showed her quality on the ball – excellent vision, patience to wait for the run, and passing to find the target forward in that situation. Byrd will be one to watch for the next rankings update. Ryleigh Albin Ryleigh Albin 5’8″ | D Marcus | 2027 State #93 Nation TX also had a very good showing at center back for Texans. Her tenacity and leadership set the tone from the comeback victory.
Villarreal is a versatile player for Texans and she showed that in San Diego. She can be the No. 9 or the No. 10 for her team. Either spot she plays, she brings a hard-nose defensive approach combined with some creativity on the ball. She had a goal in the game against Surf and also provided the key pass on the final goal of the game. Madeline Cervantes Madeline Cervantes 5’8″ | M N/A | 2028 TX and Villarreal were two of the key pieces through the center for Texans.
Highlights
It took about three minutes of game time to realize Kirby is probably one of the top forwards in the 2027 class at this event – and we missed her on the rankings. She started the game against Slammers Koge like she had a point to prove against one of the best teams in Southern California and she definitely helped prove it with her performance. If the adage goes hungry dogs run fast, Kirby might the be the hungriest player you’ve ever seen. It was like a blur on the field. The forward was making an instant impact with her pressure in creating turnovers and looked to capitalize on mistakes immediately. San Juan thrived off of that first line of pressure from Kirby. They also utilized her strength on the ball to play off her as the target forward. She has every quality to be a top center forward in this class and a player that should be getting Youth National Team call-ups in the future.
Highlights
McBride and the San Juan defense only gave up two goals during the three-game event in Southern California. Both of those goals came on the opening day win over Slammers FC HB Koge – and McBride nearly kept one of them out on an outrageous save that showcased her altheticism and quick reactions. McBride was a stud in goal for San Juan in the victory. She did well off her line and shut down chances for the opposition. McBride continued to show she is a top goalkeeper in this age group.
Highlights
Dunn had a strong showing for San Juan 09 ECNL. She was one of the bright spots of the defense that logged two shutouts from three games. Always in the right spot, she was the key piece for the side in picking up three wins from San Diego. Avery Popejoy Avery Popejoy 5’6″ | M Rio Americano | 2027 State CA was another unranked standout from San Juan. The center midfielder was impressive in how she orchestrated the play for her side. She did well in showing off the ball and providing options for an outlet. Her high work rate made a big difference in the wins.
Riddick offers so much quality to her side from the outside back position. She is an excellent 1v1 defender – physical, smart, and possesses elite pace. Riddick impressed with her skill on the ball too. She was calm in possession and worked out of pressure without rushing into an action. Even if there was a bad touch (mainly due to the playing surface), Riddick still kept her composure and used her body to shield the ball to keep it in her possession. She’s already showing aspects of her game that suggests she has top level potential. She offers quite a bit in the final third with her crossing and her delivery is among the best on the team so she takes the corner kicks for her side as well. Zoe Trevino, Zoe Lawless Zoe Lawless 5’9″ | D Stratford | 2027 TX , Julia Cleary, and Audrey Bredel were also excellent for AHFC.
Highlights
Salita plays right back for MVLA, but she showed at the ECNL showcase that she might be one of the best dribblers in this age group. Total control with either foot, Salita weaved through defenders like they were cones at training. A bit unlucky on the finish against Legends, the MVLA defender has the attacking qualities that YNT coaches rate highly from the outside back position. Teammate Katherine Lu Katherine Lu 5’6″ | F Saratoga | 2027 State CA also had some dazzling dribbling displays from the event.
Park is a midfielder on the MLVA squad. She was one of the best players at the ECNL showcase in San Diego. Clean on the ball, plays with her head up, and always scanning the field to find options, Park completed a ridiculously high percentage of her passes through the three games. She was outstanding against Legends, one of the best teams in the country in this age group. She did well creating and finding space for herself and combined well with her outside backs and wingers through give-and-go’s and overlaps. Teagan Kaefer Teagan Kaefer 5’4″ | M Los Gatos | 2027 State CA and Emi Lo Emi Lo M State CA were also excellent for MVLA.