Players and teams to watch from GA Champions Cup 09
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The Girls Academy Champions Cup kicks off this week from Silverlakes Sports Complex in Southern California. The GA event is the first national event for the league this club season. The U13 through U19 age groups are set to attend…
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Continue ReadingThe Girls Academy Champions Cup kicks off this week from Silverlakes Sports Complex in Southern California. The GA event is the first national event for the league this club season. The U13 through U19 age groups are set to attend the event.
The 2009/U15 age group should be among the most competitive. There are a number of clubs who have been impressive through the first few months of the season that should have the interest of scouts on hand. Check out some of the teams to watch in the 2009 age group for the Girls Academy Champions Cup.
HTX 09 GA
HTX sits at the top of the standings in the Frontier Division with an undefeated mark of 11-0-3. The Texas squad is averaging over three goals scored per game this season thanks to a dynamic attack with a plethora of talented wingers and a dangerous option at the point of the attack. The midfield is a commanding presence that can take over any game. The defense is suffocating with a goalkeeper who has good hands and confidence in using her feet with distribution. Below is a look at some of the key players from HTX 09
Harper Montgomery
Harper Montgomery
Montgomery is a versatile player who could play as a forward or as an attacking midfielder. She offers the playmaking ability through the center channel that makes her a difference-maker at the club level. She has excellent vision, quick feet, and excellent control of the ball. She is right-footed but likes to play on the left so she can cut inside onto her preferred foot. She’s been a difficult player to slow down this season in GA games.
Lexie Byrd-Figueroa Lexie Byrd-Figueroa 5'11" | M Ridge Point | 2028 TX
Lexie Byrd-Figueroa Lexie Byrd-Figueroa 5'11" | M Ridge Point | 2028 TX
Byrd-Figueroa is a box-to-box midfielder and one of the top players from the 2028 class in Texas. She is a prototypical modern day No. 8. She can do everything required of a midfielder. From providing the key pass to putting in the challenge to stop the opposition, Byrd-Figueroa is exactly the type of midfielder that every scout wants on their teams.
Blake Landry Blake Landry D Frassati Catholic | 2027 TX
Blake Landry Blake Landry D Frassati Catholic | 2027 TX
Landry is such a valuable piece for this side. I’ve mainly seen her play left back and she is outstanding in that role. She has the pace and endurance to make the charging runs into the attack from that spot. She can deliver a great cross, but she is smart about her approach. She only hits the cross when the opportunity is on. She also showed that she will play the cutback pass when she sees her teammates make that run. And even the best, she can cut onto her right and finish with a shot if the defender takes away the end line. Landry is a good defender too – physical, quick, and committed in the duel. She’s got a high ceiling and should be considered one of the best outside backs in the GA.
Alexis Baker
Alexis Baker
There is a lot to love about Baker’s game. Her ability to win the ball cleanly in the press and then immediately create a chance is such an underrated skill. There are plenty of forwards who can run, but finding those prospects who know when to press and how to use their body smartly in the tackle to win the ball without fouling is really the key to being an impactful player who will impress scouts. Baker’s sophisticated game extends beyond that as well. She is excellent off the ball. The way she adjust and times her runs is advanced for this age group. When she gets a chance, the ball ends up in the back of the net. Baker’s game is going to be tested against some of the best players in the league during the event in Southern California, but I’m still betting on her scoring a few.
LA Surf 09
LA Surf had some roster turnover in the off-season with some players moving onto ECNL clubs and other players making the opposite move. The new-look squad looked comfortable from the start of the season and has been one of the best defensively in the country in this age group. Center back Amelia Ralph Amelia Ralph 5'10" | D Flintridge Prep | 2027 State #123 Nation CA is the headliner of this team. Ralph, who plays left center back, is part of the US Youth National Team. She’s got some teammates who are pretty close to that level too.
Raquel Kelly Gerakos Raquel Kelly Gerakos D South Pasadena | 2027 CA
Raquel Kelly Gerakos Raquel Kelly Gerakos D South Pasadena | 2027 CA
Kelly Gerakos is another defender on the LA Surf 09 team who has had a great season. I’ve seen her mainly play as right center back. She is a good defender and pairs well with Ralph. She has elite recovery speed. She’s pretty good with the ball at her feet. Gerakos offers a lot of quality from the center back spot.
Avery McCormack Avery McCormack M Flintridge Prep | 2027 CA
Avery McCormack Avery McCormack M Flintridge Prep | 2027 CA
McCormack is a midfielder on the LA Surf 09 team. I believe she’s also had some time playing with the 08 team. McCormack is a talented player. She has a great first touch and there is a reason that her social media username is Megs.By.Avery – she’s going to put the ball through the defenders legs at least once a game. McCormack is a key piece for LA Surf thanks to her quality on the ball and excellent passing. She is one to watch from this group.
Quinn Powell
Quinn Powell
Powell is listed as a forward on her player profile, but I’ve seen her play at right back. I’m a big fan of her game. She has the pace to match up with any winger. She is great at 1v1 defending. In the attack, she really shines. Her passing – especially in seeing early diagonal balls – really separates her from her peers.
MacKenzie Thomas
MacKenzie Thomas
Thomas is a winger for the LA Surf 09 team. She could be in outside midfielder in a different system as she has a strong two-way game. Thomas is excellent on the ball. She is a smooth dribbler and uses body feints to create space. Thomas is a key player for Surf in the attack she tends to create a ton of chances in winning her duels.
Wasatch 09
Wasatch has not started their Girls Academy play yet this season, but the Utah club had some impressive displays during last season that suggests they will be one of the teams to watch at this event.
Danielle Dunn
Danielle Dunn
Dunn impressed scouts during the Mountain West Talent ID last season. The forward had a strong debut season in high school with four goals to her credit. Heading back to the club game, Dunn will be looking to continue her run as one of the top strikers in the league. She is a forward who does not need much of a chance to create a goal. She can play on the wing or center forward. Physical in her approach, Dunn is great at battling for the ball on long balls over the top and coming away with chances on a breakaway. She is a player that every defense needs to be aware of heading into the game.
Tae Hansen
Tae Hansen
Hansen is a standout center back for Wasatch 09 GA. She had some impressive performances last season, which suggests she should be one to watch during the event. Hansen impressed me with her ability to organize the defense. She’s excellent at instructing her teammates and getting them into the right spots. She reads the game well and is normally in the right spot to make the play. The defender had a strong outing during the Mountain West Talent ID event as well.
Cincinnati United Premier 09
Cincinnati United Premier (CUP) is one of those clubs that seems to be great across all the age groups in the Girls Academy. The 09 team is special though. They have a number of players with Youth National Team quality in this group, which should make them one of the teams with the most scouts on the sidelines in Southern California this week. Below are a few of the standouts from the CUP 09 team.
Vann is a shutdown defender. She plays as the right center back for her club team and she is incredibly difficult to get past. She is one of those rare defenders who can match-up against physical forwards just as well as she can against speedy attackers. She has all of the tools to be a top center back at the next level.
Highlights
Ashlyn Bazile
Ashlyn Bazile
Bazile was called into a US Soccer YNT Talent ID event earlier this season, which shows how highly she is rated by scouts for the national team already. Bazile impressed me as an attacking midfielder from games last season. Quick feet, skillful, and plays with her head up, Bazile has the tools to be a creative playmaker through the center of the field. She comes from a soccer family with brothers who play for top clubs as well.