Boys ECNL National Playoffs Preview: Top Teams from 08s

<p>The Boys ECNL National Playoffs kick off later this month from Southern California. The event is going to be widely attended by professional and college scouts as the league includes some of the top talent in the country. </p>   <p>Below is a scouting report on the three top teams in the 2008 age group from the event. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><strong>NCFC Youth Academy </strong></h2>   <p>NCFC Youth Academy finished the season with a 19-4-1 record and sits in the top spot in the Champions League standings. They are an interesting group to scout as they play a different system than most of the other teams in this age group. There is quite a bit of positional flexibility in the squad, and there is a dependence on the players to read the game and adjust on the fly. </p>   <p>When it works, they are going to challenge the most stout defenses and make the opposition look like they are chasing shadows. The press from the side is also a strong point. They have orchestrated triggers to close off options. It's clearly a well-coached side with a number of high-level prospects. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">O'Sullivan is a midfielder on the NCFC Youth Academy 08 team, but he could play any position. Tactically brilliant, the young midfielder dons the captain's armband for his side. He is calm on the ball and plays with his head up. He is comfortable to put his foot on the ball and control the pace of the game. He is a more aggressive passer than some of his peers in the same role. Even though he is looking to break the lines with his passing, he completes a really high percentage of the passes. O'Sullivan has the tools to be a top contributor for a long time. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2iMPzm0FVo </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the aspects of the NCFC Youth team that is different than other teams in this age group is the intensity defensively from the wingers. Watching Wilburn play is like watching a blur on the screen. He moves so rapidly and with such conviction that you can blink and he will be on the other side of the field. I love the mentality he brings to his side with that unbound energy and unrelenting defensive approach. Wilburn is a good finisher with either foot and a tough player to defend. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97stXHsr_84 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">A six-foot-one (possibly two, he looks taller than the listed height on his profile) outside back with good athleticism and speed, Wilkinson is having an outstanding season at the ECNL level. He is one of the players with the highest upside on this team. He can do a bit of everything well. He is an outside back, but I do think there is potential at center back for him too. On the current projection, he is an excellent crosser from his right back spot. He possesses elite recovery speed. And he does well in his positioning off the ball to support his teammates. Wilkinson's play has been one of the keys for his side's success this season. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajwS3L10gk </div></figure>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">XF ECNL Academy 08 </h2>   <p>XF (Crossfire) finished the season with a 20-0-2 record in ECNL play. Regarded as one of the best clubs in the country, XF continues to be among the leaders in each age group in the Boys ECNL. In the 08 age group, XF is the defending national champions and have been pretty close to untouchable this season. One of the few setbacks this season came recently as they lost in the semifinals of the Club America Cup to Beach FC 08 ECNL. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kouterlieris is a midfielder who is capable of taking over the game in any moment. The 5-foot-10 midfielder offers a strong all-around game that can be impactful on both sides of the ball. He has is a creative playmaker in the final third and scored a number of goals this season. His passing is among the best in the country for the position. He has great vision and really excels in the XF style of play. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiXmMZ38gHM </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Studebaker is an outside back on the XF 08 ECNL Academy team. He is a right back with a great all-around game. Perhaps a bit under-the-radar considering the attacking talent on this squad, he has shown this season a high level consistency. He is physical in 1v1 duels and uses his strength well to knock players off the ball. He is good going forward with a high work rate to make the lung-busting sprints. Watching his game film, he continues to display improvement in all facets of his game. There is every reason to believe he will be a multi-year starter on a top program if he goes the college route. </p>    <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Florida Premier FC </h2>   <p>Florida Premier went 16-1-4 on the season. The top squad from the Florida conference relied on a standout defense to win a number of close games this season. The dynamic midfield and efficient forwards were the ingredients to winning the conference and a top seed in the postseason. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Olver is a captain for the team. The left center back for Florida Premier has been outstanding this season. Unforgiving in the tackle, the six-foot defender leaves his mark on every game. He is quick to get in on the slide tackle, but smart about the timing of his efforts. He is often the last line of the defense and does well in organizing the group. He has provided a number of game-saving blocks or clearances this season. In possession, he is solid on the ball and can pick out the diagonal pass when the opportunity is on. Olver is one of the top defenders in the 2027 class from Florida. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Williams' name almost makes you want to say he is a forward, but he is actually one of the top goalkeepers in the ECNL. An athletic shot-stopper who has emerged this season as a top prospect in the region. He has been a standout for club and high school. His play at the club level has been key for his side's success. Confident in his hands, he is often willing to grab a cross in traffic while jumping over players. Williams' shot-stopping is his best attribute and he can pull off the ridiculous diving effort consistently. </p>    <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">MVLA </h2>   <p>MVLA in the top spot in the Northern California division. They had a record of 16-2-7. With a talented midfield, dynamic attacking trio, and unforgiving defense, MVLA only conceded more than one goal in two games throughout the ECNL season. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Walton is one of those midfielders who had a terrific season. He is one of the most annoying players to play against. He is a gnat on the heels of the opposition. He is so good at poking the ball away with his quick feet and athletic defensive posture. In possession, he rarely loses the ball. He gets it out of his feet quickly, he keeps it under his control with a good first touch, and shows good vision with his decisions. Walton was a First Team All-Conference selection last season and has been just as good during this campaign. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ramans was named to the Prep Soccer All-State team for California. The only sophomore on the list. He had an outstanding high school campaign. He is a box-to-box midfielder with a physical presence. He can do a bit of everything and shows up all over the field. He is a big time prospect and often involved in the key plays of the game. </p>    <p></p>   <p> </p>   <p></p>

The Boys ECNL National Playoffs kick off later this month from Southern California. The event is going to be widely attended by professional and college scouts as the league includes some of the top talent in the country.