ECNL Dallas: Five Texas Outside Backs to Watch
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The ECNL Girls League is coming to Texas this weekend as the city of Dallas is set to host the second event of the 2024 calendar year and the sixth of the 2023-2024 season from Saturday to Monday. Matches will…
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Continue ReadingThe ECNL Girls League is coming to Texas this weekend as the city of Dallas is set to host the second event of the 2024 calendar year and the sixth of the 2023-2024 season from Saturday to Monday.
Matches will take place at the Toyota Soccer Center, in Frisco, and the MoneyGram Soccer Park, in Dallas, and as many as 224 teams will be in action, competing in the U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18/19 divisions.
Texas will obviously have massive representation in the event, with 50 teams from the top clubs in the state entering to compete and showcase their skills over the three days of the event.
Prep Soccer will be on-site following all three days of action, but before we get there, we’d like to highlight some of the most exciting prospects of the host state that will be on the field. We now look into the outside backs:
Tuzzolino will be a key piece for FC Dallas G08 when they face SLSG Navy, PDA Blue and San Diego Surf this weekend. She’s one of the team’s building blocks with her ability to play anywhere across the backline and to make efficient defensive plays. Tuzzolino is probably better suited in one of the outside back positions, but she plays hard enough to be used in central defense too. One of the keys to her defensive effectiveness is how well she positions her body in every play, sending opposing players exactly where she wants them to go before she can tackle them. The outside back is also very precise and intelligent with her passing.
Highlights
Aguirre will play for Challenge SC G08 when they meet GSA, NCFC Youth and Liverpool FC IA Michigan in Dallas this weekend. Her versatility is a big asset for the team as she can play at either outside back position and also in midfield. Aguirre is a player who does all the little things well and helps her team by playing a smooth, error-free game. She’s very solid defensively and typically manages to shut down her side of the field with great efficiency. Aguirre is also of great help offensively as, besides displaying good vision to connect passes, she can also be dangerous with long-distance shots.
Back with Dallas Texans G07 after a season with Sting Dallas Royal, Clig will be on the field when they play against Michigan Hawks Magic, Utah Avalanche and Eastside FC over the weekend in the event. She is mostly used as a left back for them, but can also play in midfield or even at the wing. Clig is very solid defensively, in big part thanks to her ability to read the game and step up to intercept passes – she also seems to be one step ahead of everyone else. She gets the job done when she needs to defend 1v1 too, playing hard and cutting attackers to the ball. Clig also contributes offensively, using her pace to get to the final third in no time and making great decisions with the ball.
Highlights
Andrews and her stellar Solar SC G06/05 team have matches scheduled against World Class FC, Eclipse Select SC and La Roca FC this weekend in Dallas. She likes to play on the right side of the backline, be it more centrally in a back three or out wide in a back four. In either position, she’s very difficult to get by because of her extraordinary skills. Besides being very physical, Andrews also reads the game very well and is excellent with her decision-making when trying to win the ball back. She’s also of great help when not directly involved in plays, coming inside to help protect the penalty box. Andrews also has a strong offensive game and is always an excellent option when she pushes forward down the right flank.
Highlights
With Rojo on the team, DKSC G05 will play against Atlanta Fire United, Rockford Raptors and FL Premier FC in this weekend’s event. Also capable of playing in the midfield, she’s typically used as a right back for the team and offers them a solid and reliable two-way game. Rojo displays great energy on the field and can run up and down for days. She’s very strong defensively and does a very good job of dispossessing opponents in 1v1 duels. Offensively, Rojo is very precise with her crosses and also likes to bring the ball inside to attempt passes or shots from outside the penalty box.