The Unbeaten Favorites at the ECNL 07 National Playoffs
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There were four teams that finished the 2023-2024 ECNL Club season with an undefeated mark in the 07 age group for Champions League Qualifying games. Those clubs were Solar SC, Michigan Hawks, Penn Fusion, and PDA Blue. There will be…
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Continue ReadingThere were four teams that finished the 2023-2024 ECNL Club season with an undefeated mark in the 07 age group for Champions League Qualifying games. Those clubs were Solar SC, Michigan Hawks, Penn Fusion, and PDA Blue.
There will be plenty of contenders outside of that quartet, but the foursome enters the event in Seattle this week as the favorites. Below is a look at some of the key uncommitted performers from those teams this season.
Solar SC 07
Solar faces a daunting group with World Class FC, Rebels SC, and SLSG Navy on the docket. The defending national champions, Solar, have been in top form recently with 20 goals scored and zero conceded in their last four ECNL games heading into the postseason.
Fuller is one of the top 2026s on this squad and in the country. She also could end as one of the top scorers at this event. She can be prolific – as evident in the final game of the season with her two-goal, two-assist effort. The part of Fuller’s game that stood out to me from recent outings is the intensity and edge she is playing with in every moment. The score has zero influence on her performance as she brings maximum effort for every second she is on the field. Fuller is a player to stop if the opposition hopes to slow down Solar.
Miles is a winger with some of the fastest feet in the country. She is fully capable of breaking open the defense with her pace and skill. As a 2026 recruit, there is going to be plenty of interest in her game as one of the top attacking talents in the 07 age group. Miles is a thorn in the side for the opposition and fully capable of winning the duels against the best outside backs in the country.
Michigan Hawks
Hawks will be challenged early and often in their group with games against Tennessee Soccer Club, NC Courage, and United Futbol Academy. The Midwest Champions finished the campaign with a 17-5-1 record overall, but a 14-0 record in Champions League qualifiers. The Hawks ended the club regular season on a five-game unbeaten run.
Flading was a standout for Hawks in the recent ECNL National Event earlier this month. She did exceptionally well at left back. Smart about her positioning, active off the ball in showing as an option for her teammates, and dominant in duels with her terrific tackling. Flading offers a lot of qualities to make her a top outside back in the 2026 class.
Morse is a relatively new addition to the Hawks. The US Youth National Team standout has fit in really well with her new side. Her work rate and activity in the center of the field were the easy traits to suggest she could work well with this group. She is still getting the feel for her teammates in terms of where they like to receive the ball and the timing of the run, but the instincts and impact are obvious. Morse’s play in the center of the field is key to Hawks success in the attack.
Adams is one of the top center backs in the class of 2026. She plays as the right center back for her club side. She has been excellent in her first season with Hawks. She is very good as a 1v1 defender, more so than most center backs. Adams’ eagerness to take on the challenge of shutting down the opposition’s center forward will be a key point for Hawks winning this group as every team in this group has a star in that role.
Highlights
Penn Fusion
While other teams in this age group suffered in losses in other ECNL games, Penn Fusion finished the campaign completely unbeaten in any ECNL game during the 2023/2024 campaign. The North Atlantic Champions went 15-0-4. The reward for the successful season is a test against Sting Dallas Black, Gretna Elite Academy, and Jacksonville FC in the playoffs.
Smith is one of the goalkeepers on the Penn Fusion side. She is also one of the only two 2026s on the team. Smith is an excellent shot-stopper. Confident coming off her line to close off chances, she has quick reactions and good hands. She is good with her feet and offers an options for her side in distribution. She splits time in net for Penn Fusion.
Highlights
Brandt is a two-way wide midfielder who is highly effective. She is an impactful player on both sides of the ball. She is a tough defender who is willing to get stuck in on a challenge. On the ball, she rarely wastes a touch as she plays with a conviction that she is making the right decision with her move and goes at it with 100 percent effort immediately. She is a good crosser from the right wing and creates chances with her play.
PDA Blue
PDA Blue finished the campaign in 8th in the Champion League standings, despite the unbeaten record. The squad finished second in the North Atlantic behind the aforementioned Penn Fusion – the two clubs played to a scoreless draw. The stellar campaign earned PDA a meeting with Minnesota Thunder, GSA, and NVA in the playoffs at the 60 Acres Park.
Cotter is a big miss from our scouting department. The winger from PDA was electric in every game this season. She scored a spectacular goal from a free kick against Solar at an event earlier this season. There is reason to believe she is going to be one of the top players in the 07 age group and a top ranked player in the updated national rankings after the event.
Highlights
Tusche is another top attacking talent on the PDA Blue 07 ECNL squad. She can operate from a variety of positions, but I think she’s at her best in the center of the field. The skill on the ball and the vision really shine when PDA plays through her as the focal point of the attack. Tusche is a finisher and a playmaker as she has a lethal right foot and great vision. She is a key player for her side’s success.