2009 ECNL Quarters Preview/Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powerhouse clubs from around the country make up these 8 teams. Pennsylvania, Washington, Arizona, California (3), Missouri, and Virginia are all represented in this draw. San Diego Surf are the defending champions and are looking to repeat this season. There is a ton of talent up and down these rosters and it is going to be really fun to watch these teams duke it out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our first match we have Penn Fusion taking on XF Academy. Penn are looking to get their club on the board after winning a National Championship last season in the 2008 age group. With them knocked out already it may be up to this team to bring the club home some silverware. Penn has a ton of talent one of the highlights on this team is Kylie Bera who has insane footwork on the ball. Isabelle Haag is another player to keep an eye on she is exceptional in the air like a young reminds me of a young Taylor Flint. Brianna Young is a flashy winger who must be accounted for, she eats defenders up 1 v 1. XF have some big time players of their own. They have what might be the best dead ball specialist in this age group in Kaya Tanaka anything within 35 yards she is a goal threat whether with a shot or assist. Mckenzie Hawkins is a great central defender with an excellent range of passing. Madison Deal is Hawkin's Center Back partner and they compliment each other extremely well. I think Penn wins this one in penalty kicks 1-1 (4-3). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our second matchup Utah Royals Arizona is taking on MVLA who has two teams in these National Championships (2010). MVLA have talent everywhere anchored by superstar center back [player_tooltip player_id='111097' first='Chloe' last='Miller'] who is the top ranked defender in the 2028 class and a regular participant in USYNT projects. Miller is not the only one that has been in National Team camps for this squad as [player_tooltip player_id='147318' first='Charlotte' last='Perry'] is a playmaker supreme in the opposition's half. She can turn on a dime, is a consistent scorer and plays excellent progressive passes. Isabelle Bertolucci provides excellent energy and consistently on the wing for MVLA. The club with Utah in their name but are from Arizona will be an extremely difficult team from California. Kate Edrington is an excellent defender that has great positioning and instincts. Marin Pratt is ranked as the top player in Arizona and is a regular at USYNT camps. Kylie Tang is another USYNT central midfielder who is extremely shifty and drives with the ball really well. Ultimately I think the team from the Bay Area prevails 2-1 to advance to the Semi-Final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kansas City Athletic takes on Beach FC which is what I believe will be the best game in this first round as both teams are absolutely stacked with talent. Meila Brewer is the obvious one to talk about in this matchup. From my understanding she is one of if not the first player put on the list for National Team Camp in her age group. Ava Brown is a fantastic attacking player who scores a ton of goals and has also been a regular attendee in USYNT camps. Alyssa Emo just verbally committed to powerhouse Arkansas Razorbacks and is a terror to play against. On the other side we have Beach FC who has problems of their own for opposition. [player_tooltip player_id='112139' first='Allie' last='Chang'] just verbally committed to Columbia is an excellent midfield player who is a very intelligent passer of the ball. Hayley Case is a tricky winger that is very difficult to deal with 1 on 1. [player_tooltip player_id='112147' first='Emily' last='Law'] plays behind Case at outside back has great footwork and takes space on the dribble very well. [player_tooltip player_id='112148' first='Grace' last='Murray'] is probably the biggest name on this roster she is a USYNT talent and has the potential to go extremely far in this game. My prediction for this game is a 1-1 draw with Beach advancing on pens. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our last matchup we have the defending champions San Diego Surf taking on the home team [program_tooltip program_id='283449' first='Richmond' last='United']. I am putting San Diego Surf on upset alert in this one as Richmond have the combination of talent and minimal travel that can hit a team in the mouth early. USYNT stars [player_tooltip player_id='278318' first='Logan' last='Lombard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='157991' first='Ava' last='Martin'] will have to be on their games to knock off this Surf team. [player_tooltip player_id='218249' first='Lexi' last='Newman'] is another player that needs to be in top form. San Diego Surf has last years ECNL Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='112224' first='Lolly' last='Mirhashemi'], USYNT standout [player_tooltip player_id='146362' first='Felicity' last='Nguyen'], and Mexican International Ixchel Usanga at the their disposal and it won't be easy but I think Richmond come out on top in this one 2-1 with two early goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Semi-Final </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Penn 1-2 MVLA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beach 2-3 [program_tooltip program_id='283449' first='Richmond' last='United'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Final </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVLA 2-2 [program_tooltip program_id='283449' first='Richmond' last='United'] (MVLA wins on Pens) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVLA comes away with what would be their second national championship as I believe they will win the 2010 edition as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->