VA Players With Soaring Stocks

<p>This snowstorm we are "enjoying" in the mid-Atlantic really feels like a bucket of cold water, or just ice, after spending a week in sunny Orlando. A mere two days after being in a t-shirt and shorts, enjoying rides in a mind-blowing world with an actual castle in it, I was prepping to shovel snow and receiving phone calls about school being canceled. Life comes at you fast. Enough about me though, the connection here is that the girls ECNL Florida Showcase is coming up this weekend! There are several VA players that improved their stock immensely during their fall seasons. Below are some from the 09 Richmond United team to look out for in Sanford.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='157991' first='Ava' last='Martin'] has really taken off as one of the best defenders in her class in the state. She has great size and instincts. Her positioning is very good, her tackles are well timed. Ava's passing accuracy really stands out when watching her play. She has the vision to pick out the right player. She shows the accuracy to play them into the right space, the patience to make sure she draws a defender before moving the ball, and the composure to do it all under pressure. A wonderful fit as a modern center back, Martin has all of the tools defensively, and more than enough in her bag to be the player that starts the attack for her team as well. Ava was selected for the ECNL National Selection Game this weekend. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Audra continues to be one of the best 2027 keepers at every event she attends. She has great reflexes and the athleticism to save shots that many others cannot. Scholtz is very well trained with her positioning and fearless coming off her line to cut off the angle in 1v1 situations. Audra has also grown into a vocal leader on the field, instructing her back line throughout their games. </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://youtu.be/-Zlq6FP6ZOQ?si=YmOxUnvtiU3QhKRu </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='157477' first='Meghan' last='Patten'] was the player of the game for me in a recent draw her RU team earned against a tough Charlotte squad. Meghan can play in the midfield or as a center back, and has top tier awareness around the ball. She showed great instincts to slow down counter attacks and eventually break them up, using her anticipation and quickness. Patten also showed good timing on aerial battles, clearing away multiple free kicks. The midfield skills show up when she takes great touches on 50/50 balls or errand passes, controlling possession for her team. Those little things make a huge difference in competitive games.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Possibly the best 2028 player in the state of VA (currently ranked 2nd), [player_tooltip player_id='218249' first='Lexi' last='Newman'] is an attacking midfielder that dances around opposing players so regularly that it has just become what you expect when you watch her play. She is playing a year up with the 2009 Richmond United team. Newman can beat defenders left and right and also shoot with power and accuracy with both feet. Her touch on the ball and close control dribbling are second to none. With that dribbling skill, Lexi draws multiple defenders, and she shows incredible vision and passing skill to find them. That accuracy also shows up on free kicks, where she is incredibly dangerous.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The 09 RU girls have a problem that every coach would love to have. Two very high level goalkeepers and only one goal to defend each game. [player_tooltip player_id='157416' first='Josie' last='Smalley'] is a great shot stopper and communicator. Smalley has a long frame that helps her block shots, cut off angles on breakaways, and contest set pieces played into the box. Josie also shows a very good understanding of the pace of the game, playing long balls when she sees an advantage, and holding onto the ball when she senses that her team needs to settle down a bit. Smalley shows a high soccer IQ, accurately distributing the ball with her feet and hands. </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://youtu.be/Z_NuhQmfZeY?si=FHDzD5eTpzh_DDI_ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='110268' first='Kylie' last='Osborne'] is a very athletic winger with a ton of pace that plays aggressively, as a coach would want their winger to play. Kylie is very difficult for defenders to stay in front of, so she challenges them constantly. Osborne is capable of unleashing strong crosses and shots with both feet. Kylie also has really good size to pair with the speed. Once she gets by a defender, it is very difficult for them to work their way back into a good position. Osborne does a very good job of getting into dangerous areas, beating defenders, and creating a panic for the opposing defense. </p>    <p></p>

This snowstorm we are "enjoying" in the mid-Atlantic really feels like a bucket of cold water, or just ice, after spending a week in sunny Orlando. A mere two days after being in a t-shirt and shorts, enjoying rides in a mind-blowing world with an actual castle in it, I was prepping to shovel snow and receiving phone calls about school being canceled. Life comes at you fast. Enough about me though, the connection here is that the girls ECNL Florida Showcase is coming up this weekend! There are several VA players that improved their stock immensely during their fall seasons. Below are some from the 09 Richmond United team to look out for in Sanford.