ECNL-RL Girls St. Louis: Five Texas Defenders to Watch
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The ECNL Girls – Regional League will host its second national event of the season this week, in St. Louis, Missouri, just a month after their first showcase, which took place in Richmond, Virginia, in November. With matches scheduled for…
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Continue ReadingThe ECNL Girls – Regional League will host its second national event of the season this week, in St. Louis, Missouri, just a month after their first showcase, which took place in Richmond, Virginia, in November.
With matches scheduled for the U15, U16, U17 and U18/19 divisions, as many as 180 teams from the entire country will make the trip to St. Louis to play and showcase their skills from Friday to Sunday at the Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex and the World Wide Technology Soccer Park.
The state of Texas will be well-represented, with as many as 27 teams entered to take part in the event. As the week progresses, we’ll be presenting some of the most interesting players from the Lone Star State who will be in action this weekend. These are defenders who have big roles in their teams:
Kate Rees Kate Rees D Byron Nelson | 2026 TX
Kate Rees Kate Rees D Byron Nelson | 2026 TX
Expect Rees to be very active when her team Sting Dallas Royal G08 plays against GTFC Impact, FC Wichita and Libertyville FC 1974. One of the team’s captains, she can play at both outside back positions and gets to contribute on both sides of the ball. Rees is very quick when moving upfield without the ball, consistently offering passing outlets to her midfielders. She also does a good job of crossing the ball when she gets to the end line. Defense is another of Rees’ strengths as she is very good in 1v1 duels and also in recovering when opponents manage to get in behind her.
Faith Freeman
Faith Freeman
Freeman will lead the backline of her team NTX Celtic FC G08 when they face AFA Fillies, Match Fit Academy and FC Wisconsin. A very physical center back, she’s excellent at protecting the penalty box and the area around it with her athleticism. She’s also excellent with her decision-making, stepping up when necessary to cover the outside backs and not allowing any space behind her. Freeman also communicates well and keeps her teammates engaged in the back.
Delatorre and Challenge SC G07 have Sporting Columbus, Sporting Blue Valley and Ohio Galaxies FC in their schedules this week in St. Louis. The team’s starting left back, she’s a lockdown defender, who will make what it takes to win the ball and stop dangerous plays. Delatorre takes pride in her defensive skills and is a master in the art of slide tackles, always timing her moves well and getting the ball. She’s also a very consistent player, who supports her team’s offense with quick runs out wide and smart passing.
Highlights
Sydney Grosso Sydney Grosso D Bowie | 2025 TX
Sydney Grosso Sydney Grosso D Bowie | 2025 TX
Grosso is set to play Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, Pittsburg Riverhounds and Libertyville FC 1974 this week with her team FC Westlake G07. She’s mostly used at the right back, but can play on the left too and is an offensive-minded player who gets the job done on defense too. Grosso makes smart runs near the sidelines and is very difficult to dispossess because of her pace and her ability to shield the ball with her body. She offers a lot in possession, being capable of helping the team build out of the back, sending accurate crosses into the penalty box and also finishing chances from close and long range.
Lilliana Jimenez
Lilliana Jimenez
In her first season with Solar NTX Red G06/05, Jimenez will try to help the team against Evolution SC – Mercurial, Indiana Fire Academy South and KC Fusion. She’s a well-rounded right back, who gets to contribute to the team on both sides of the ball. Jimenez is very solid defensively, winning most of the 1v1 duels she gets involved with and also doing a very good job of reading the game and tucking inside to help the center backs – she can also play as a defensive midfielder. When in possession, her quality on the ball also benefits the team as her ability in set pieces generates a lot of goal-scoring opportunities.