ECNL Boys Texas: 17s – Day 1 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Boys League is hosting a national event this weekend in Round Rock reuniting 90 teams in the 16s and 17s age groups for three days of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas is covering the first two days of the event, following several teams from the Lone Star State as they take the field against opponents from other states and will be providing daily coverage with photos and a report on the individual standouts of the day. Positional standouts will be released in the weeks following the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/04/ecnl-boys-texas-17s-day-1-photos/">ECNL Boys Texas: 17s - Day 1 Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday, we were at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, where the 17s division is being held, and got to watch eight matches during the day. These are the players that left a very strong impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Darriyn Morales","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Steele","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"San Antonio FC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"SAFC started their campaign in the event with a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids, but Morales had a strong performance in the match. Besides scoring the team's lone goal in the match in a finish that showed how calm and composed he is in the penalty box, he was a handful for the Rapids' backline with his high-energy game. Morales spent most of the match playing as a striker, using his physical tools to get on the end of long passes and finishing any time he had a chance. He also helped on the wing, playing very directly every time he got on the ball. The forward also displayed great defensive commitment and dedication, putting pressure on defenders and dropping back to help the team when they didn't have the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b02fde"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":170747,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_3581.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170747" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SAFC B07 vs. Colorado Rapids B07</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Thomas Canon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Keller ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"FC Dallas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"FC Dallas White also had a setback in their first match, falling to 1974 Newark FC 1-0, but Canon was a stud in the backline for them - unsurprisingly, the game-winning goal was scored when he wasn't on the field. Playing as a right-sided center back, he used his positioning and athleticism to make things harder for opposing attackers as he was always right next to them, putting pressure, every time they got on the ball. Canon was very successful with his interceptions and also did well when he had to track attackers beyond the midfield line, forcing them to play passes to their field. The center back also had some good moments with the ball, using his body to shield it as he made some runs forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b03104"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1781326188096667775","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/1781326188096667775 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carter Bronold","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"DKSC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bronold was one of the architects of DKSC's 2-1 comeback win over Mustang SC on Friday. Playing with tremendous intensity, the box-to-box midfielder was everywhere on the field and made the team play at a very strong rhythm until they took the lead. Bronold covered a lot of ground in the center of the field and covered a lot of ground defensively when his team didn't have the ball. When DKSC were in possession, he did a great job of making himself available to get on the ball, helping them progress on the field with intelligent passes and efficient runs through the middle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b03216"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":170764,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_3644.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170764" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">DKSC B07 vs. Mustang SC B07 </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Christian Martinez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Crawford","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"HTX","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Martinez's presence in midfield helped create the conditions for HTX to secure a 1-0 win over San Juan SC in their first match in Round Rock. Playing in front of the team's backline, he was a destroyer for them, shielding the defense with great efficiency with his ability to cover ground. Martinez was very good at winning 50-50 duels and was the first to get to every loose ball in the central region of the field. The midfielder was also excellent at turning defense into offense by igniting quick transition plays through the middle after he won possession and did a solid job with his passing too.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b032fb"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":170774,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_3693.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170774" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HTX B07 vs. San Juan SC B07 </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Angel Cardenas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Liberty Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Lonestar SC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lonestar SC Black had a tight 2-1 loss to Eagles SC RL in their opening match, but Cardenas did all he could to produce a better result for them. The goalkeeper was under pressure for a large portion of the match and dealt with it well, making strong saves that kept his team in the game. Cardenas used his size, positioning and reflexes to make several stops and transmitted a lot of confidence to his teammates. The goalkeeper was very efficient when dealing with crosses, making the right choice between catching or punching the ball time and time again. He was also a vocal leader for the team, keeping the defense organized and alert.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b033d6"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1781374790676382057","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/1781374790676382057 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15764"],"_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":"Albion Hurricanes FC's most advanced player on the field, Valcarcel was their most efficient offensive weapon in a 2-1 loss to Arizona Arsenal. 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He proved to be a clinical finisher inside the penalty box.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b03567"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1781408510280159320","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/1781408510280159320 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15849"],"_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":"Branch shone in Solar SC's 4-0 win over B-Elite DEN with his superb play in midfield. 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Branch wasn't the most aggressive when playing defense, but covered the space well, forcing opponents to play lateral passes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6623144b035f7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1781419466162942002","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/1781419466162942002 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->