Youngers shine at ECNL Boys National Playoffs

The talent across the country at the U13 ECNL level is absolutely amazing. Most of these boys do not even graduate for another 5 years and none of them have walked the halls of a High School yet. It is impressive that they can translate the love and passion of the game into success on the pitch at such a young age.   The ECNL Boys Playoffs here in Seattle has been able to show off some of the talent of the qualifying 48 Champions League teams. Though every team that qualified is deserving of the trip to the PNW, some clubs and athletes have easily stood out! The developmental portion of the game is constantly evolving and there is no limit to the potential some of these young athletes have if they put in the time and stick with the grind!   Here are just a few 2012's that caught Prep Soccer's eye this weekend:    Andrew is a special player on the pitch. His relentless effort to win possession of the ball when attackers are in his defensive 3rd is impressive. He is currently smaller in stature than his peers, but you wouldn't know by the way he plays. Monroy has the strength to knock attackers off the ball and has a quick release into open space. His ability to see the field and play absolute dimes to his attacking teammates on the run, is elite. Andrew has quick feet and fantastic ball control. The Rise SC have a great player that may develop into a name we see in the top ranks for a long time. Rise will take on VSA Rush on Sunday afternoon hoping to come away with another big win in Group H and a possible Wild Card bid.     Imposing is the first word that comes to mind when watching this athlete. Jovanni has a 'wow' factor about him, and he is the type of player that opposing teams will have to game plan around. He uses his size and strength to his advantage against his smaller peers. His quickness and cut moves are special and he possesses a wicked shot that GK's will have difficulty managing for years to come. Anthony is constantly on the attack, and it is only a matter of time until he is not defendable. Jovanni will only get bigger and stronger and if he continues to develop his craft from here on out, watch out! The Cleveland Force will finish their trip to Seattle with a contest versus Florida Elite hoping to go home with a 1-1-1 record in the tough Group K.     Maximiliano is a feisty defender that moves like a forward but plays aggressive as his position title demands. Though leaving your feet near the box (or at any time) can be a dicey decision as a defender, Leon makes it a calculated move that yields him a high percentage return. He has a strong foot for clearances but can also find teammates in space while building from the back. This is a fantastic player with tons of upside as he develops. Maximiliano and HTX are looking to secure the Group K sweep when they play Legends FC San Diego on the 29th.     Matkins will be an elite talent if he continues this trajectory. He is a dominating forward that is visually menacing as well as athletically. He towers over his peers and has the speed to beat anyone on the edge. Adrian has an eye for goal and will take a crack with even a small window. As his stamina increases, he may be unstoppable moving east/west while breaking down defenses. He is a player from South Carolina to keep your eyes on. There are many accolades coming to him in his future with continued development. CESA will look to finish strong on Sunday versus a tough Pateadores squad.     To be a successful team at the ECNL level, you must have a fantastic midfielder to bridge the gap between defense and offense. Jesse is that bridge. His spatial awareness is amazing for his age and the touch he places on the ball is staggering and consistent. He can play in the attack and drop back effectively to assist his defense. Venegas moves well touchline to touchline and has great technical skills. Jesse is strong to the ball and looks to battle 50/50 instead of dropping off. Beach FC (CA) will be playing to secure a Group L win against the Colorado Rapids at high noon on Sunday. Look for Venegas to be a deciding factor in this match.     Bradley is on a stacked XF Academy team that does nothing but win. He is making a name for himself by putting himself into scoring opportunities anytime he is on the pitch. Corn uses his body well to win possession and can create separation with a bit of quickness. His shots are purposeful and calculated. Bradley also has a keen eye for distribution and has no problem sharing the goal scoring opportunities. He is a key part to a potent offense and will be a staple on XF teams moving forward. The 26-0 start doesn't look to end anytime soon. Look for Bradley and the boys to continue their National Championship run when they matchup against Arizona Arsenal early on Sunday the 29th.    Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prep_soccer/">@prep_soccer</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepsoccerpnw/">@prepsoccerpnw</a> on Instagram and <a href="https://x.com/coldbrew25">@coldbrew25</a> on X for continued coverage of the ECNL Boys National Playoffs! Keep Grinding!

The talent across the country at the U13 ECNL level is absolutely amazing. Most of these boys do not even graduate for another 5 years and none of them have walked the halls of a High School yet. It is impressive that they can translate the love and passion of the game into success on the pitch at such a young age.