ECNL PHX: PrepSoccer’s Under-the-Radar Best XI 

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The ECNL National Event in Phoenix wrapped up on Sunday. PrepSoccer was on hand for the event and highlighted some of the performances earlier this week. While we tried to see as many teams as possible while on site, there were some players and performances that we missed. 

ECNL PHX Coverage: Ranked Players on Rise after ECNL PHX | Unranked Standouts from ECNL PHX | Photo Gallery

Following the event, we did some video scouting from the games. In reviewing game film we added some names to our scouting list for rankings consideration as well as more in-person scouting in the future. 

The Best XI from the event includes players from video scouting and in-person scouting. Check out the Best XI (from players not currently ranked on PrepSoccer) below. 

The PrepSoccer ECNL PHX: Unranked Best XI

GK Hailey Cobb, Phoenix Rising 08 – Cobb and the Rising defense combined to only allow one goal in three games while going undefeated at the event in their home state. Cobb was excellent in goal. Great on crosses, good at organizing the defense, confidently playing off her line and using her feet, and did well in shot-stopping, the goalkeeper from the 2026 class had a stellar showing. Maeve Morgan, Katelyn Pettigew, and ? were also standouts for Rising. 

D Kylee Rocha Kylee Rocha 5'8" | D Pleasant Grove | 2026 CA , San Juan SC 08 – I thought Rocha was in our rankings so this is a miss on our part because she’s a stud and showed that once again in Phoenix. Rocha did everything well for San Juan. She helped her squad to a 3-0 record at the event. The San Juan SC defense recorded one shutout and only allowed a goal each in the other two games. The partnership between Isabel Churchward Isabel Churchward D Davis | 2026 CA and Rocha was a bright spot. Jocelyn Pearcy Jocelyn Pearcy M Woodcreek | 2026 State CA , Gabrielle Ferraro Gabrielle Ferraro M Rio Americano | 2027 State CA , Jayda Smith Jayda Smith M CA , and Kristiana Romo were also standouts for San Juan. 

M Citlalli Ruiz, Pateadores 08 – Ruiz was part of the Pateadores squad that went 3-0 in Phoenix. There were a number of standout performances from the team so it was tough to put just one player in this spot. Ruiz earns it because she was excellent from everything I saw while she was on the field for Pateadores. She plays as an attacking midfielder for her team. She does well in the role of linking the midfield to the attackers. She is smart about moving off the ball to give angles for her teammates in passing into her feet. She is also quick to make decisions on the ball. She rarely takes an extra touch. I thought her recognition of when to play into her teammates and when to play it into space rarely opened up the attack for Pateadores. Goalkeeper Reese Tremper Reese Tremper GK San Clemente | 2026 CA was also outstanding for Pateadores. Tremper made an incredible save in the opening win over Bay Area Surf. Gabriella “GG” Szczuka Gabriella “GG” Szczuka M Santa Margarita Catholic | 2027 State CA and Peyton Gant were also standouts in the midfield. Regan Akason and Olivia Ruggerello Olivia Ruggerello M CA were outstanding at center back. Katelyn Romano Katelyn Romano D CA and Taylor Ortiz were bright spots at outside back. 

M Mia Teran, Del Mar Sharks 08 – I believe this is Teran’s first season in the ECNL. She previously played for SD Force – and often played up an age group. The midfielder is unmistakable on the field with her long hair and style of play – fluid, graceful, and incisive all at once. Her performance in Phoenix was a masterclass. Sharks play in a very difficult division and results have been hard to come by, but there is still some top college prospects on this team. Teran’s goal against Placer United was terrific. A left-footed strike from the top of the box that showed her high soccer IQ to get onto a second ball and then make the most of the chance. Sophia Bastidos, Breanna Ivie, and Kathryn Conway Kathryn Conway F CA were also standouts for Sharks. 

M Adalynn Alley, Davis Legacy 08 – Alley and her Davis squad went 2-0-1 in the Desert with zero goals conceded from the three games. Davis goalkeeper Audrey McLin was excellent throughout the weekend, but the unranked midfielder gets the spotlight in this write-up. Alley does a bit of everything for her squad. With an engine that does not quit, Alley covers a lot of ground. She is an impactful player on both sides of the ball. With her booming right leg, she is often taking free kicks and creating chances with her delivery. Alley put together a high-level consistent performance from game-to-game in Phoenix. Maci Dodic Maci Dodic D CA is another unranked player from Davis who had an excellent showing in Arizona. The center back did well in organizing her squad. She read the game well and got to the right spots to support her teammates. Isabella Hazel Isabella Hazel D CA also impressed at center back. She was excellent as an on-ball defender. Emma Kryski Emma Kryski F CA and Natalia Kantor-Ruff Natalia Kantor-Ruff M Inderkum | 2026 CA were standouts at outside back. 

M Julianne Richter Julianne Richter M Linfield Christian | 2026 CA , Slammers FC HB Koge 08 – Richter was a bright spot for a Slammers team that started the event slow but came on with two dominant performances to end the event. The midfielder’s activity was off-the-charts. She made a few charging runs through the center and was justly rewarded with a goal in the second game of the event. Richter makes winning plays on both ends of the field regularly. Zamorah Malinoski Zamorah Malinoski F Los Alamitos | 2026 State CA was outstanding for Slammers and will be one of rapid risers in the national and state rankings for this class. 

M Kaya Herndon Kaya Herndon M CA , Beach FC 08 – Herndon earned a spot on this team from video scouting and it was obvious immediately that she deserved that spot. Beach had a rough start to the weekend with a loss in the opening game, but responded well with two shutout victories. There were a lot of positives from the final two games, but Herndon’s play as a facilitator was certainly high on the list. Clean on the ball and always playing with her head up, she did well in providing key passes for her side. She had a nifty meg against Alabama FC as well that showed off her skill and swagger. She can provide a cross when she plays wide – and is good on either foot – but she can also operate in tight spaces and play through the center as an attacking midfielder. 

F Addie Fife, Michigan Hawks 08 – Fife was the best player of the weekend from my viewpoint. Effective and impactful in every game, she led Hawks to a 3-0 record. She is playing with so much confidence right now and her game is improving by leaps and bounds with every event. Her opening goal against Solar was something special – both for her and for the team. The goal started from a goal kick and six passes later was in the back of the net. Fife with the final touch on the cross from Alison Ernst. Charlotte McMurtrie played the pass to send in Ernst for the cross. Both players were bright spots for Hawks throughout the weekend. 

F Leah Simpson Leah Simpson F Hebron JV1 | 2026 TX , Sting Dallas Black 08 – Simpson scored a great goal against MVLA during the last day of the Showcase. One goal or one game wasn’t all she did but it was a good example of what she brings to this team. Quick to spring on the ball and decisive with her actions, Simpson took on the retreating MVLA defense with the ball at her feet over 60 yards from goal. The winger already had the pace to stay a step ahead of the outside back and when the center back failed to slide over, Simpson kept her run going. She finished the chance with her left foot to the bottom corner of the net. Simpson was electric against Concorde Fire too. Eager to find space and create chances, she often tucked inside and took advantage of a gap in the defense. She’s a smart player who makes a difference in the final third. The 2026 class is deep with wingers in Texas, but Simpson offers something special that very few have. Simpson and center back Tyller Grimes Tyller Grimes D Timber Creek | 2026 TX will be climbers among current unranked player in the upcoming 2026 rankings for Texas. Teammates Dani Chaump and Reese Liner Reese Liner null | D Highland Park | 2026 State #49 Nation TX were both outstanding in Arizona as well. 

F Ella Madrid, Classics Elite 08 – Madrid had a strong showing for Classics Elite during the event in Phoenix. She played on the right wing for her squad and showcased her skill and speed. Her goal against LA Breakers was terrific. The pace to get past a flat line of defense was one part of it, but the recognition to see that space available was outstanding. She capped it with a driven low finish. Ashtyn Hubert Ashtyn Hubert D TX and Jade Chalker Jade Chalker F TX were also standouts from Classics Elite. 

F Mackenzie Gwin, So Cal Blues 08 – Gwin was the top new name for me at the event. A gifted winger with every tool in her kit, she has an extremely bright future in the game. Blues ended the event with a 2-1 record. The standout piece on Gwin’s performance against Kansas City Athletics hits all the points. Kai Beary Kai Beary 6'1" | GK JSerra | 2027 State CA and Payton Henry Payton Henry 5'8" | M Murrieta Valley | 2026 CA were also top performers from Blues. 

F Casey Knerr, Alabama FC 08 – Knerr impressed me with her effort and activity. She made a mark in the first half against Beach FC when she pounced on a slow back pass and ended up drawing a penalty kick. The relentless pursuit from the center forward set the tone for the game for her team – and led to a successful weekend for the squad. Reese Oldfield was also a standout for Alabama FC with her play in the midfield.