ECNL Best XI (All Age Groups)

I was fortunate enough to attend ECNL Playoffs in Kirkland, Washington. It's safe to say that the women's game is in great hands. There was so much young talent at the event. Here is my starting 11 of who I was most impressed with from all age groups.    GK    Doesn't pass the eye test because she is a little shorter than most coaches would like. However, she makes up for it with her athleticism, she can fly around between the posts. She also has outstanding distribution.      LB (c):   From what I watched this young lady could go compete in the NWSL right now. She is outstanding. Full package. She can come inside inverted to distribute and beat you one on one down the line. She can deliver corners and free kicks on a dime. Her first touch is class and her anticipation of where the opposition is going to play gives her the ability to make a ton of interceptions that turn into quick counter attacks. Very excited to see what this young Duke commit is going to do in the next 3-5 years.     LCB:   They say the hardest position to find in soccer is a great left footed center back. Well here is one for you. Great frame at 5'9 and looks like she's still growing. Most players who can dominate a game physically the way she does can struggle technically but she does not. Great distribution going forward, good sense of when to break lines and play it safe. I enjoyed watching her play immensely.      RCB:   Top tier athlete, she can get up and down the field in a flash. She is probably more suited in an outside back roll but seems to be comfortable anywhere along the back line. She breaks lines on the dribble exceptionally. The Colorado State commit is a lockdown defender, I don't think I saw her get beat once on the dribble. Not bad for a kid who was told by doctors she may never play soccer again.      RB:   Incredibly high energy and very astute soccer IQ. Has elite decision making on the ball. She rarely gets beaten 1 v 1, has great timing in the tackle and I love her leadership qualities. She will put her body on the line for her team.        CDM:   Apparently due to some injuries on her team she was moved to the 6 for ECNL playoffs as she usually plays the 9. I think she has found a new home; she is a natural. She's tall and has exceptional timing on her jump which gives her the ability to win every aerial duel that comes her way. The USC commit's aunt is famed Olympian Beach Volleyball player Kerri Walsh and it seems that the athleticism runs in the family. She is relentless defensively and surprisingly calm in possession for someone who usually plays further up field. Great competitor and fun to watch. Bright future for this one.       CM:   The only North American Cup player in this team and thoroughly deserved it. She was dominant in her game against Mustang. Her consistency on the half turn is rare and she is extremely difficult for her opposition to deal with as she is always giving them false information with her well timed body feints and hesitation moves. Exceptionally comfortable in tight spaces and seems to be able to get out of any jam. A true technician of a player.       CAM:   The Vanderbilt commit was exceptional against a very good Bay Area Surf team. Her ability to get the ball in the pockets and drive at her opponents really caught my eye. Her team was down for most of the game and I was impressed with her pressing ability as her Force team chased the game. Great competitor and showed a lot of polish on the ball.      LW   Outside backs worst nightmare. Whenever she gets the ball, you know a 1 v 1 is coming and most of the time she wins. Isn't going to wow you with flashy moves or fancy tight space footwork. But she can cut inside or get to the end line at will with her pace and power. She has a high defensive motor as well and will press the opposition back line relentlessly. She's a female Luis Diaz. You can see why she is going to UCLA.       CF   I think you could put this young lady at any position on the field and she would be a high performer. Quite possibly the best all-around athlete I saw at ECNL playoffs. She can get onto almost any through ball. She can outjump most of her opponents so plays a lot bigger than she is. High motor and exceptional work rate. I was surprised to hear that she isn't getting national team attention, but I think that will change soon.      RW:   Got Speed? This young lady certainly does. The Santa Clara commit thrived at ECNL playoffs and helped propel her team to the round of 16. Has a good arsenal of moves she can turn to in 1 v 1 situations and isn't scared to shoot from distance.

I was fortunate enough to attend ECNL Playoffs in Kirkland, Washington. It's safe to say that the women's game is in great hands. There was so much young talent at the event. Here is my starting 11 of who I was most impressed with from all age groups.