ECNL Dallas: 17s – Center Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 Saturday, we were at the Toyota Soccer Center, in Frisco, where we got to watch 16 of the 52 teams of the 17s age group compete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/02/ecnl-dallas-17s-day-1-photos/"><strong>ECNL Dallas: 17s – Day 1 Photos</strong></a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already highlighted <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/02/ecnl-dallas-17s-day-1-standouts">the players that stood out in the encounters we got to watch</a> 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. Now we'll look into the center backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26808"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jaeger did a very good job playing as a left-sided center back for Sting Austin against Seattle United and helped her team contain their opponents' offense. A 5'10u0022 defender, she was very strong in duels, making important clearances in the air in set pieces and crosses, and also making some strong tackles. Despite her size, Jaeger displayed very good mobility, tracking quick forwards around and covering on the sidelines. The center back was also very calm on the ball, helping her team circulate the ball. The team's defensive efficiency continued through the weekend as Sting Austin didn't concede a single goal in the event.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d77790a5793"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["99325"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Seattle United had their strongest defensive performance in the event in their opening match against Sting Austin and the team's solid center back duo formed by Tay and Elora Franklin. The two displayed great chemistry and complemented each other extremely well, with Tay being the most physical of the two and the one who would be tasked with chasing opponents away from the penalty box. She played with great energy and intelligence and used her athleticism to put pressure on opponents and prevent them from making plays. Seattle successfully used the offside trap on some occasions and Tay played a big role in it, coordinating the moves made by her teammates as they pushed their defensive line higher up in the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d77790a5809"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20502"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Real Colorado National started the event with an emphatic 6-0 win over Atlanta Fire United and although the team's offense was very productive, they also shone for their defensive stability. The team's backline leader, Fassora was extremely reliable and consistent and helped shut down their opponents' offensive attempts. The center back thrived with her positioning and was always at the right spot to make stops or cover her teammates. Fassora also displayed an interesting potential to help the team offensively with her smart passing and her accuracy and power in free kicks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d77790a586d"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1758904820054843423?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1758904820054843423?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["106736"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Corley played on the left side of SLSG Navy's back three and helped the team secure a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Challenge SC. Much of the team's offense came from the left and the center back's presence on that side of the field gave the midfielders and wingbacks in front of her the confidence to push forward knowing Corley would be there to clean things up defensively. A physical and determined player, she won several duels and kept things quiet in her area. With SLSG playing a possession-heavy style that featured a strong buildup from the backline, Corley's passing was tested and she responded well, moving the ball with intelligence and precision.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d77790a58d4"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":163433,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/IMG_1859.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-163433" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Challenge SC vs. SLSG Navy</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26927"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gilmore joined FC Dallas just a few days after helping the US win the Concacaf Women's Under-17 Championship and helped her team beat the Portland Thorns 2-0 in their first match. She split time between center back and defensive midfielder duties and displayed a well-rounded game to thrive in both positions. Gilmore handled well the offensive attempts made by their opponents, stepping on their way to make stops and win the ball back. With FC Dallas heavily dominating possession and pushing the Thorns back, her passing was also useful offensively as she moved the ball well and also found some smart passes that broke lines and found teammates in good spots around the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d77790a593a"} /-->