ECNL Texas: Terrific outside backs in the 08 age group

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Girls soccer League held its second National Event in the 2025 calendar year a couple of weekends ago, in Dallas, Texas, featuring three days of action involving over 200 teams from the entire country at the Toyota Soccer Center and the MoneyGram Soccer Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the cold weather, some really exciting matches were held and some of the most talented prospects in the country were able to deliver excellent performances as they continue to prepare for the final portion of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/ecnl-texas-day-1-photos/">ECNL Texas: Day 1 Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/ecnl-texas-day-2-photos/">ECNL Texas: Day 2 Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2025/02/ecnl-texas-day-3-photos/">ECNL Texas: Day 3 Photos</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Soccer Texas was in attendance during all three days of action in Dallas, covering dozens of matches and taking a look at hundreds of the players who got on the field during the extended weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll continue to feature the players who impressed us with their games this week, this time in the 08 division, and today we'll look into the outside backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["89659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c70faa6b767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weiss played for the Sting Black team that secured two wins and a loss over the weekend in Dallas. I got to watch her team in their opening match, a 1-0 win over De Anza Force, in which she was extremely active for them at right back. An offensive-minded outside back, Weiss was involved in different moments of their attacking efforts, occasionally getting the ball from the center back and getting it to the forwards with long, direct passes and, in other moments, appearing in the final third to create and finish chances. She also took care of business defensively, playing with great energy and determination off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":279575,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0136_f17bfc.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279575" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mia Yang","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"De Anza Force","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c70faa6b896"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yang was with the De Anza Force team that ended the event with one tie and two losses. She played left back for them in their opening match, a 1-0 loss to Sting Black, and did good defensive work, helping limit the opponent's potent offense. With Sting dominating possession, Yang was busy defensively for most of the match and she did a good job closing out her area of the field and playing with great firmness to win duels. The left-footed defender didn't push forward very often, but displayed quality when she did, connecting good passes and overlapping efficiently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":279576,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0145_af23fa.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279576" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110692"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c70faa6b91e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wheeler appeared in the backline of the Kansas City Athletics team that produced a win and two losses down in Dallas. She played right back for them in a 3-2 loss to OK Energy FC on Monday and had a solid performance there, especially from an offensive standpoint. Wheeler used her quality on the ball and her understanding in the final third to consistently push forward. She was very calm and confident when dribbling to break pressure in her own half and didn't waste a second to push the ball forward when she had space in front of her. Wheeler also did a good job on the defensive side of the ball, showing an impressive work rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are my highlights from the ECNL Dallas Showcase including my goal from the first day! Thank you to all of the coaches who came to watch me play!<a href="https://twitter.com/ImYouthSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImYouthSoccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TopDrawerSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TopDrawerSoccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcusKelcher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarcusKelcher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KCACElite08ECNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KCACElite08ECNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SMUSoccerW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SMUSoccerW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BaylorFutbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BaylorFutbol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TCUSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TCUSoccer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/umichwsoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@umichwsoccer</a>… <a href="https://t.co/qlQAOroJ2C">pic.twitter.com/qlQAOroJ2C</a></p>&mdash; Ella Wheeler (@EllaWheeler2027) <a href="https://twitter.com/EllaWheeler2027/status/1895525044446531941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Laine Palmer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Richmond United","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c70faa6ba14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Palmer helped her Richmond United team return home from Dallas with two wins and one loss. I got to watch their last match in Texas, a 3-2 win over Sting Austin, in which she stood out at left back. Palmer was very strong defensively, using her great positioning and intelligence to protect her space, forcing opposing attackers away from the penalty box. A right-footed player, Palmer was very confident when using her left foot to control, dribble and pass the ball, helping the team break pressure in their own half. She didn't push forward very often in that match, but always appeared well when she did, giving her teammates a passing option on the left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgQKUO8V-jc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=SgQKUO8V-jc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Hannah Newton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Smithson Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='278665' first='Classics' last='Elite']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c70faa6bb0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newton and her [program_tooltip program_id='278665' first='Classics' last='Elite'] side went undefeated over the weekend, getting two wins and one loss in the event. Defense was one of their main strengths, allowing just one goal, and the left back was a big part of it. I got to watch her in a 1-1 tie with Oregon Surf on Monday in which she dominated her area of the field, using her physical tools to overpower opponents and stop their attempts with great efficiency. Newton also appeared well offensively, displaying quality to beat opponents off the dribble and vision to find teammates in good spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->