ECNL Boys Phoenix: Texas Center Backs to Watch

<p>One week after the girls, it's now time for the Boys to appear in the fourth national event hosted by the ECNL League this season this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, with teams from all over the country set to play from Friday to Sunday.</p>   <p>Having the Reach 11 Sports Complex and the Reata Sports Complex as its venues, 230 teams in the U15, U16, U17 and U19 age groups will come from the entire country to play three matches each and showcase their skills against some of the top talent in the country.</p>   <p>Texas will send 36 teams to the event, with sides from Albion Hurricanes FC, BVB International Academy, Dallas Texans, El Paso Locomotive, FC Dallas, FC Westlake, HTX, Rise SC, San Antonio City SC, San Antonio FC and Solar SC representing the Lone Star State in Arizona.</p>   <p>As we count the days for the start of the event, let's take a look at some of the top talent from Texas who will be heading to Arizona this weekend - it's time we focus on the center backs:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Bodily will be with HTX 09 in their encounters against FC Arizona, SDSC Surf and Columbia Premier SC. The team's most physical center back, he's a great option to defend big strikers inside the penalty box, but also does a solid job when dragged to the wings or higher up in the field, keeping attackers under pressure and avoiding fouling in dangerous spots. Bodily uses his body very well to win duels and also does an excellent job when asked to clear crosses from the penalty box. He doesn't take many risks in possession, but does a good job of connecting simple and efficient passes.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_1166.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270989" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC 09 vs. HTX 09</figcaption></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Perales will ancho San Antonio FC 08's backline in their matches against Slammers FC, San Juan SC and Washington Premier. He's big, but also very agile and does a very good job of protecting the space behind him and avoiding being hit by passes over the top. Perales is also mobile enough to defend in space and is typically very patient in waiting for the right opportunity to make his move and dispossess opponents. The center back, who plays as a forward with his high school team La Vernia, has great quality on the ball and is very active in the team's buildup, hitting nice passes out of the back.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_3925.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170892" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SAFC B08 vs. El Camino Futbol Club Salinas B08 </figcaption></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Stubbs will offer Rise SC 07 a strong presence in central defense when they face El Paso Locomotive, Marin FC and Legends FC San Diego. His defensive game is built mostly upon his ability to quickly cover space and put opponents under pressure, which makes of him a strong defender inside the penalty box or higher up in the field. Stubbs also reads the game well and often comes out of nowhere to intercept passes. He has an impressive ability to push the ball upfield and at times is capable of turning defense into offense in the blink of an eye, winning possession and immediately pushing the ball forward with strong runs through the middle.</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=6_ZYsm36Q7w </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Alberigi will captain FC Dallas Red 07 in their matches against Arizona Arsenal, Davis Legacy and LAFC So Cal. He's a strong and physical center back, who does whatever it takes to keep opponents away from the penalty box. He uses his body very well to win duels and another of his strengths is his ability to time sliding tackles perfectly, getting to the ball first and avoiding fouls. Alberigi is also very calm in possession, often hitting good passes out of the back, and also supports his team's offense with his presence inside the penalty box in attacking set pieces.</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=18_fl50CIio </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The captain of Dallas Texans Academy 07, Zamora will lead the team against La Roca FC, XF Academy and Seattle United. He anchors the team's backline with his solid play and does an excellent job of communicating with his teammates. Zamora is very firm to win duels, is typically well-positioned and usually doesn't allow a lot to happen on his side of the backline. The defender also has what it takes to contribute to the team's offense, initiating their buildup with solid passes and often connecting great long balls out of the back.</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=RJHLfrmygUs </div></figure>

One week after the girls, it's now time for the Boys to appear in the fourth national event hosted by the ECNL League this season this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, with teams from all over the country set to play from Friday to Sunday.