Notable Performances: 09 Standouts at ECNL PHX
In this article:
The ECNL National Event in Phoenix wrapped up on Sunday. The event featured teams from the 2012 through 2007 age groups. Below is the individual standouts from the best teams in the 2009 age group at the ECNL Phoenix Spring…
Access all of Prep Soccer
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe ECNL National Event in Phoenix wrapped up on Sunday. The event featured teams from the 2012 through 2007 age groups. Below is the individual standouts from the best teams in the 2009 age group at the ECNL Phoenix Spring event.
Miller was a standout once again for the MVLA 09 squad. Miller’s quality on the ball and ability to break the pressure on the dribble really made a difference for her side in the opening two games from Arizona. She also added a goal in the win over So Cal Blues. Miller’s skill on the ball shines from game film. She is very comfortable with the ball at her feet and her passing is exceptional. Her teammates do well in their movement and timing of the runs when she is on the ball to give her options, but Miller’s brilliance really lets this team shine. She was one of the best center backs from this event in any age group.
Highlights
Fresh off a stellar debut season at the high school level, Park continued her exceptional run of play with an outstanding weekend in Arizona. Park’s performance against So Cal Blues in the first half was especially noteworthy. Smooth on the ball, elusive with body feints, and always playing with her head up, Park showed all of the qualities that make her one of the best attacking midfielders in the ECNL.
Reyes had a terrific showing for Surf in the win over SUSA FC. She showed off her great control with an impeccable first touch. The way she keeps close control of the ball while under pressure and playing with her head up is a rare skillset especially at this level of play. Reyes’ vision allows Surf to shine as she finds the run of her teammates all over the field. She is truly a 360-degree player, which shows her quality from the international level. She had a couple of nice assists against SUSA. She linked up well with new Surf addition Felicity Nguyen Felicity Nguyen 5’3″ | F Santa, Margarita Catholic | 2027 State #16 Nation CA . Reyes was one of the best from the weekend.
Uscanga is another standout from the Surf midfield. She is playing as a defensive midfielder in the Surf lineup. She really shined against SUSA. Every pass into her feet came out with a clean pass to a teammates. She is always thinking a play or two ahead of the competition, which allowed Surf to dominate the possession over the weekend.
Highlights
Huynh was outstanding at left back for Surf. She is a two-way player. I thought her evolution and development as a key contributor of the Surf style of player was especially noteworthy. She has the capability to get to the end line and whip in a cross, but she is great at reading the game and knowing when to slip in a pass to a teammate and when to beat her defender on the dribble. Huynh is quickly putting together the game film to back up the claim as one of the best left backs in the country in the 09 age group.
Highlights
Ellis was phenomenal early on in the win over Internationals. Ellis’ pace on the wing unlocked the defense as the opposition’s high line had no answer for her getting behind the defense. She finished off a cross for the opening goal of the game.
Surf dominated the possession and chances in the games over the weekend in Phoenix, but Volpp was still involved with her distribution and had to come up with a couple of saves in the victories. I thought her active play off the line against Internationals really helped her side early on as it cut off chances for the opposition and allowed Surf to feel comfortable squeezing the field when on defense.
Highlights
Hill scored the game-winner for Tennessee SC 09 on Saturday in the close victory over Minnesota Thunder Academy. The box-to-box midfielder showed her quality on the ball throughout the game as she did well in checking her shoulders and finding pockets of space in the midfield. She also scored in the opening day victory for her side, as she showed an unrelenting engine to get up and down the field and finish off chances for her side.
Highlights
Gates impressed me with her effort and determination. Playing as a forward in the TSC formation, Gates offered the quality to play with her back to the goal as a linking player for her side and also provided the pace to get in behind the defense. She showed off good skill and clever movement to create space and chances for her team and herself. Gates scored twice in the opening win for her team.
Wakatsuki was a bright spot for Tennessee SC in the early stages of the win against Minnesota Thunder Academy. She was always in the right place to make an impactful, winning play for her side. She was not afraid to put in a tackle and got the ball off her feet quickly.
Shoemaker was a key part of the Tennessee SC 09 team that recorded two shutout victories in the opening two games. Shoemaker played as the left center back for her side. She was calm on the ball and made some excellent passers. She was also sharp in the tackle when called up and helped her side to the victory. Outside back Liviella Lang was also good for TSC.
Highlights
Myerberg was magnificent for Marin FC during the ECNL event. The midfielder was active in the play and always hunting for touches on the ball. Her play on the ball really stood out as she made great decisions while in possession. She was also influential defensively with her work rate.
David did a noteworthy job protecting the Marin FC goal. The right center back had a number of vital tackles in the win over Phoenix Rising. She also provided some key interceptions on crosses as well. David was a key player for a defender that only allowed one goal in three games.
It was a tough weekend in terms of results for Minnesota Thunder, but they were close in every game. Abboud-Young impressed me in the final game against Legends. She started at outside back and her quality was obvious immediately. She was equally as impressive when she moved up to the wing and let her dynamic playmaking shine.
Selvaggio, once again, showed why she is one of the best goalkeepers in the nation in this age group during this event. The first half of the game against Minnesota Thunder was a great example of her quality. Selvaggio came up with a number of saves when called up. Her block early in the win over SUSA FC was also a highlight-worthy play. Legends, as a squad, ended the event with three shutout victories.
Highlights
Urbano is an unstoppable force in the midfield for Legends. She is the focal point of the attack for Legends. She made a number of great passes in the victories for Legends. Her ability to spring the attack with accurate passes was key for the Legends attack. Urbano’s vision really stood out from the event.
Vasquez had an excellent outing at defense for the Legends. She was physical in the duels and used her body well to shield attackers off the ball. She made smart decisions on the ball. She never quit on a play and matched up against the top attackers.
Pete had a wonderful showing during the ECNL event in Phoenix. The forward was electric whenever the ball was on her feet. She did well using her speed to create space – both behind the defense and in front of the back line. She was fearless on the dribble and showed her quality in getting past defenders with ease. In the open field, she was tough to catch and showcased her creativity with the ball at her feet. Pete is a top forward from this age group.
Highlights
Sexton starred in the National Selection Game and then helped her club side earn a 3-0 record at the event. Sexton’s play at center back was outstanding in the win over Heat FC on Saturday. It seemed like it was impossible to get past her. With perfectly timed tackles and excellent use of her body to shield the ball, Sexton put on a masterclass performance. I thought her play away from the ball was very advanced for an 09 center back. She did well with her movement to create passing options for her side, but she was quick to react when her side lost possession and sprung into defensive posture to help reclaim the ball if the pass went to her player. Sexton is an exceptional defender and she showed it in Phoenix.
Highlights
Burtnett stood out against Heat FC. She won everything that came through the center of the field. She was quick in her decisions and did well getting the ball off her feet to set up her teammates for success with clean, accurate passing. Burtnett’s play as a defensive midfielder was a highlight for the side.
Highlights
Hunsaker played center forward for the La Roca side that went undefeated at the event. La Roca only scored twice during the event, but the center forward was involved in both goals. She showed her quality as a linking player as she did well playing with a defender on her back against LAFC So Cal and still turning to face goal and playing in passes behind the defense for the wide players to get opportunities to serve in crosses. Hunsaker offered the perfect outlet for her side to find success going forward.
Wayland and Lily Atkinson split time in goal for La Roca during the event. The duo combined to record three shutouts from three games. There’s not much more that you can ask of a goalkeeper than that from these events – against some of the best competition in the country.
Shim put on a spectacular display at left back for Beach FC in the first half against Portland Thorns Academy. She was a shutdown defender against the winger. And then she showed off some dazzling displays with her dribbling skills. Shim can play either side of the defense and she has the attacking qualities to be a difference-maker in the final third as well.
Murray had a brilliant assist in the win over San Juan SC as Beach FC scored one of the best team goal’s of the competition. The play started with a buildout from the left center back and ended with a finish from Kaia Carruthers Kaia Carruthers 5’8″ | F Chaminade College Preparatory | 2027 State CA as the Beach midfield sliced apart San Juan with incisive passing and excellent pacing. Murray’s soccer smarts and vision really shined in that game.
Rubio impressed me with her play against San Juan. She was a high energy midfielder who provided the right play consistently. She is skillful on the ball and an excellent passer. She had great recognition of when she had time on the ball to force the defense to step to her and open up opportunities for her teammates. Rubio looks to be a top 2028 from California.
Carruthers was fantastic in every game I saw from the event. She had the aforementioned finish on the great team goal from Beach in the win over San Juan SC. She looked like the best center forward from the event. She combined speed and strength to give the center backs nightmares from every opponent Beach faced. Carruthers quickly made us realize we are way off on her current ranking.
Highlights
Cyril made a great save in the win over San Juan SC that helped seal the win for her side. Cyril came up with the timely save in the right moments as she led her squad to a perfect 3-0 record from the event.
Valiukevicius was a standout for Beach against a stellar San Juan team on the second day of the event. She played as the left center back early on in the victory. She made the right play consistently. She did well in supporting her teammates as the last line of defense. She also made the right decision in possession and found the right outlet passes.
Highlights
Mac Niven had a wonderful showing in Davis’ win over Del Mar Sharks. The winger was nearly unstoppable. She used her skill and speed to create chances for herself and her teammates. Her assist on the opening goal showed how good she is in the final third.
Gilkey had a stellar showing at right back in Sting Austin’s final win against FC Stars White. The outside back did everything right and set the tone for her side. She was quick to get open for teammates and saw a lot of the ball early on as an option for her side. She was equally as influential defensively as she put in good tackles and locked down her side of the field. Samantha Crider Samantha Crider 5’6″ | D Round Rock Westwood | 2027 State TX was also a standout defensively for Sting Austin on the right side.
Ramirez had a superb showing for Sting Austin as they went 3-0 at the event. The midfielder showed her quality on the ball as she did well in opening her body to the field prior to receiving the ball and quickly finding teammates with accurate passes. Ramirez was the link between the stellar Sting defense and midfield and she did the job perfectly.
Highlights
The attacking midfielder for Sting put together a highlight-reel performance in Sting’s final game from the event. She was elusive on the ball and dynamic in open space. Reyna was pulling the strings in the attack for her side and playing at a pace to make the opposition uncomfortable.
Pacheco was a bright spot from the attack for Sting Austin. She does so well playing on the last line of the defense and punishes any defense that isn’t completely organized. She is a game-changing talent.