ECNL Dallas: 15s – Outside Backs
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The top teams in the ECNL Girls League in the country were in Dallas from February 17-19, where the league held its sixth National event of the season. Over 220 teams were in action over the three days of the…
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Continue ReadingThe top teams in the ECNL Girls League in the country were in Dallas from February 17-19, where the league held its sixth National event of the season.
Over 220 teams were in action over the three days of the event and Prep Soccer was in attendance, following several matches a day and taking a lot at some of the top-level prospects in the country. On Sunday, we were at the MoneyGram Soccer Park, in Dallas, where we got to watch 16 of the 58 teams of the 15s age group compete.
We’ve already highlighted the players that stood out in the encounters we got to watch and now we’ll expand that a little bit and list more prospects that left a strong impression, looking at one position at a time. This time, we look into the outside backs:
Byrd was one of the key pieces of a strong Dallas Texans backline, which led the team to three wins, with just one goal conceded. She was very active offensively, consistently pushing forward and playing very wide, offering an interesting passing option to her teammates. Very skilled on the ball, Byrd connected good passes and also played on the left, displaying good versatility. She was also very effective defensively, anticipating plays to make interceptions, but also playing hard in 1v1 duels.
Highlights
With Reddick at right back, Albion Hurricanes had solid performances over the weekend, getting two wins and one tie. A very physical and intense player, she was extremely active defensively and kept things under control on her side of the field. Reddick was very good at tackling opponents, but also displayed great reading to come inside to cover teammates and give her team an extra body to defend inside the penalty box. The outside back was also of great importance offensively, consistently carrying the ball upfield with good runs down the right and offering an option out wide.
Highlights
Payton Chelednik
Payton Chelednik
Chelednik and her Concorde Fire Premier team had difficult matches, getting two losses and one tie, but she still managed to stand out. I watched them in a 6-1 loss to Sting Dallas Black and she did a fine job, holding her own against a very strong opponent. A tall player, Chelednik used her body well to win duels for the ball and occupied her zone of the field pretty well, shutting down most of Sting’s attempts. She also showed good quality and calm on the ball, often getting it under pressure and still finding good solutions and avoiding long passes out of the back.
Madeline Arellano
Madeline Arellano
Arellano was solid at right back for DKSC and played a big role in the team’s successful campaign of two wins and one tie. I watched them in a scoreless tie with PacNW SC and she was one of the top players on the field, playing with good energy and contributing on both sides of the ball. Arellano is very intelligent with everything she does on the field and that reflected in an error-free performance both offensively and defensively. She didn’t push forward all the time, but she had great efficiency when she did it, finding good passes and sending dangerous crosses into the penalty box. Arellano was also very good with her set pieces, taking free kicks and corner kicks with good precision.
Katherine Pinto
Katherine Pinto
An offensive-minded player, Pinto featured as a right wingback for Sting Dallas Black and ended the week with a win, a tie and a loss. I watched the team in their best performance, a 6-1 triumph over Concorde Fire Premier, and Pinto’s energy on the field was really impressive. She played really high up in the field and was very important in the team’s offense, stretching the field and creating chances with combination plays. Pinto was also very competitive defensively, working hard and fighting for the ball.