Rankings Analysis: Defense shines from Washington’s 2027

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for the class of 2027 were released this week for Washington. <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/washington/rankings/girls/2027-rankings/">Check out the full rankings here</a>. <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">Learn more about the ranking process</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='28466' first='Vienna' last='Whipple'] is the top ranked player in the Washington rankings. The Crossfire center back and US Youth National team defender is one of the best in the nation in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on some of the other defenders and goalkeepers in the state rankings for this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["111352"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eDeal is a defender on the Crossfire Premier 09 ECNL team. She is listed as a defender/midfielder on her player profile and it's easy to see how she could be a defensive midfielder as well. She played left center back in the games I watched from this team. She is exceptional talent for her position. Smart about reading the play, great at anticipating, and plays with a supreme confidence. She is clean on the ball and can play out of pressure. She does an excellent job at keeping possession for her side. She can play either spot among the center backs and it does seem fluid on her role during the game. She also has the liberty to join the attack when the opportunity is on. Deal is a high-level player and one of the players from this class who has been in the US Soccer Talent ID events at a Regional level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["28118"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eJohnson is a defender on the Washington Premier 08 ECNL team. She plays as the right center back in a back three/five. Johnson is asked to cover quite a bit of space in her role, which showcases her quality as both a center back and an outside back. She does an excellent job at dropping to the level of the cross and being in the spot to see the ball and the attacker. She can improve on getting her hips around even more so it will be easier to clear crosses with her body shape facing away from goal. Johnson is a sharp defender and one to watch from this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["111593"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eLorella is a defender on the Washington Premier 08 ECNL team. She plays outside back for her club side. She is a solid defender - good in 1v1 situations. She tends to play with a more conservative approach when in possession - if the first look is long, she tries to find that. If that isn't open, she recirculates through the pass back option quickly. She has a strong right leg and can play a good ball over the top of the defense. I think Lorella's best attribute is her defensive skillset in man-marking. She can be a lockdown defender.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["111370"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eCoder is a defender on the Seattle United 09 ECNL team. She is also part of the National ODP team. She has previously been part of US Soccer Talent ID events. Coder plays as a center back for her club team. She is excellent defender. Strong in the tackle, dominant in duels, and a aerial prowess, Coder has the tools to be a top player at center back. She has a strong foot and takes free kicks for her side so she can deliver the ball into the box from her side of the half. Coder is a top defender in the country in the 2027 class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["111589"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eArmstead is a defender on the Eastside FC 08 ECNL team. She was named to the ECNL All-Conference Second Team last season. She is one of a few 2027s to receive that honor. She is a versatile defender who could fit in as a center back or an outside back. She is a fluid athlete and graceful runner. I think she could improve on her 1v1 defending. Her hips can get too square to the attacker when in open space. She also pays a bit too much respect as she is better in tighter space thanks to her quick reactions and physical approach. I've seen very few forwards who can get past her when she is close with the proper defensive body angle. She is excellent on crosses, which shows her future as a center back. She wins aerial duels and does well in clearances. The key trait from Armstead that I saw from game film was her competitiveness. She never quit on a play. She played with this belief that she could stop any attack and that mentality is going to make her a favorite for scouts.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["162005"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eBrown is a defender on the Seattle Reign 09 GA team. She plays right back for her club team. She immediately stood out from game film in the Girls Academy this season for her work rate. She was unstoppable on the pitch. A willing runner to get up and down the touch line, Brown showed off her two-way game with impactful plays all over the field. She is in the conversation among the best outside backs in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["111384"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eTutor is a defender on the Seattle United 09 ECNL team. She plays left back for her club side. I don't see any YNT Talent ID call-ups publicly mentioned for her, which is surprising considering her play at the ECNL level. She is an excellent outside back. She is right footed so she could play on either side of the formation. She's done well on the left this season. Determined in the tackle and physical in shielding players off the ball, Tutor's defensive quality has shined this season - on a squad that is leading the nation in shutouts.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["111379"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eStaponski is a goalkeeper on the Seattle United 09 ECNL team. She is the only goalkeeper on the squad. She has been invited to a couple of US Youth National Team Talent ID events. I feel like she is one of those players who is on the cusp of being called into a full camp - this is not any insider information, but based on watching game tape on some of the other top goalkeepers in this class across the country. Staponski has a lot of strong points to her game. She is very comfortable off her line and does well as an outlet for her center backs when switching the point of attack. There was a point in one game that I was confused if she was right or left footed because she had equally good passes with either foot - she's right footed based on her drop kicks. An area for improvement in her game is on crosses. She can drift with the ball rather than attack the ball. There were a few crosses and corner kicks from recent games when she swiped at the ball with one hand instead of leaping for the ball with both hands. She is fully capable of improving on that aspect from a consistency standpoint. She's an exceptional talent for the position and will be a top prospect in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c674acadbe2"} /-->