Ten key players from the 2010 Boys ECNL Playoffs

The Boys ECNL playoffs and Round of 16 games wrapped up last week from the Surf Cup Sports Complex in Southern California. The 2010 age group had 64 of the best teams in the country competing from one of the eight spots to advance to Richmond for Finals Week.   Prep Soccer gives a scouting report on 10 of the top performers from the Round of 16 games.    The defensive midfielder from XF Academy 2010 ECNL was excellent in the game against OK Energy. His passing was on point and his quick decision-making really shined. In the first half, he did well in his positioning to cut out some of the outlet passes. OK Energy went a bit more direct in the second half and he did well in tracking runs through the center. I believe he also had an assist in the second half on a perfect corner kick delivery. He showed enough in this game to get the attention of scouts.     Rico scored the best goal of the game. His right footed bender blasted into the net on an unstoppable effort. Rico was influential throughout the game in his role as a center midfielder. He had some key passes in the second half to set up chances as well.     The left back for XF Academy had a number of key plays in the win over OK Energy. He saved a shot off the line in the second half. He also had the win in aerial duels in chances around the box. Bellah had an outstanding game.     Lucero is a PLAYER. He is very good in a number of roles. He understands the game at a higher level and makes passes that are not normal for this age group. He has the physical profile to be a dominant attacker in this age group, but he doesn't rely on that. He is more reliant on his quality on the passing and skill on the ball. There's plenty to suggest here he is going to be a contributor at a high level for a long time.     Gonzalez Jr. was a standout in the midfield for Seattle United. He was a key orchestrator for a number of chances in the second half with his passing and quality on the ball. Gonzalez movement off the ball also opened up chances for his side.     Bischoff, who also plays for the Seattle Sounders, was terrific for Seattle United in the win over Arizona Arsenal. On top of making some timely saves, he showed great decision-making with his distribution and started the passing sequences for his side.     The center back for AHFC was a top performer in the game against La Roca. He contributed on both ends of the field. In the first half, he had a last second sliding block on an effort. In the attack, he rose above all the players to provide an assist on a goal. It was very clear that the set piece routine was executed with the intention of getting the ball to Anumele.     There are a lot of standout candidates on the AHFC 2010 ECNL team. I think Rosero Cruz might be often overlooked, but watching game film from the playoffs and Round of 16 game it was obvious that he is a key piece for how the team wants to play. When they are at their best, Rosero Cruz is involved in the play. The midfielder keeps pressure on the opposition and forces the opponent to play away from him. He is slick on the ball and rarely loses possession. Center back [player_tooltip player_id='190975' first='Marlon' last='Flores-Martinez'] is also outstanding for this team.     Maybe it is partially the name, but there is a art of Francisco's game that reminds me of Francisco Totti. The confident swagger and lethal quality in the final third are rare traits that he possesses and showed on game film. The set piece delivery was also a bright spot of his game.     This spot is reserved for the whole Dallas Texans back four as a unit. They were excellent in the round of 16 game against Tulsa SA. Walker is a contributor all over the field. He is a target in the box on corner kicks. He also has a long throw-in that is a dangerous weapon for his side. Defensively, he is excellent in man marking and can shut down a variety of forwards - from speedy wingers to bruising center forwards. Left back [player_tooltip player_id='190990' first='Axel' last='Alvarado'] and right back [player_tooltip player_id='190987' first='Charles' last='Westmoreland'] were standouts too. Alvarado's defensive qualities are definitely worth highlighting. He has excellent tactical awareness and positions himself to see the mark and ball. He is very good at intercepting the pass and just being a general nuisance. Westmoreland is a fearless attacking outside back. He flies down the touch line and creates numerical overloads for his side. Fellow center back [player_tooltip player_id='190989' first='Ethan' last='Ortiz'] is the perfect partner for Walker and the duo has been outstanding in the ECNL Playoffs with two shutouts from four games.

The Boys ECNL playoffs and Round of 16 games wrapped up last week from the Surf Cup Sports Complex in Southern California. The 2010 age group had 64 of the best teams in the country competing from one of the eight spots to advance to Richmond for Finals Week.