Breakout Players: ECNL North America Cup 2009s

The North America Cup of the ECNL playoffs is a knock-out style postseason event with pressure on every game. The intensity and talent brings plenty of scouts to the sidelines. The event wrapped up in San Diego earlier this month. Prep Soccer was on hand for the event. Below is a scouting report on some of the top performers from in-person and video scouting of the North America Cup in the 2009 age group.    Connealy was the top player of the event. She came up with her best performance in the championship game, but she was terrific throughout all the games. Connealy made a brilliant save on a penalty kick early in the championship game victory over Ohio Elite. The shot-stopper was excellent throughout the postseason but she especially shined with the title on the line. Ohio Elite had the run of play early in the game and she met the moment when needed. Connealy possesses the size, athleticism, and determination to be a top goalkeeper at the next level. Elizabeth McGill, [player_tooltip player_id='110538' first='Emery' last='Grace'], [player_tooltip player_id='110537' first='Caroline' last='Garinger'], Ansley Throener, and [player_tooltip player_id='110545' first='Kelsey' last='Williams'] were also top performers from Gretna Elite.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/audreyconnealy4/status/1940118175552872946 </div></figure>    Mwamukonda sticks out on the field. She has the game-breaking quality with her pace. She is a center forward who can create chances out of nothing. The speed of play quality is certainly something that will stand out to scouts.   [player_tooltip player_id='111699' first='Eva' last='Lackmeyer'] was one of the top midfielders of the event. Her two-way play was outstanding especially in the championship game.     The outside back impressed on the star-studded [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'] side. Her positioning off-the-ball set her up for success. She was able to see the mark and the ball and made the play to intercept the pass out wide. The right back was an excellent 1v1 defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='230141' first='Addison' last='Tallas'], [player_tooltip player_id='148139' first='Carolina' last='Reyna'], and [player_tooltip player_id='149326' first='Blake' last='Gilkey'] were also top performers for [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'].      Maroney was outstanding at center back. The Slammers star and her fellow defenders only allowed one goal in three games during the playoffs. She was a two-way player. She served as the target for set pieces and long throw-ins for her side. She is athletic and wins aerial duels. She's physical and wins challenges with good technique. Maroney is a talent to watch from the 2028 class. Dyllan Harris, [player_tooltip player_id='272228' first='Cameron' last='Ainslie'], and [player_tooltip player_id='112173' first='Sydney' last='Boik'] were also standouts for Slammers.     Sanchez was a top performer for the Minnesota Thunder side. She impressed with her play at right center back. She's a competitive player who is fearless in the tackle. She executed a few perfect slide tackles in the game against Gretna Elite. She is also excellent on the ball. She broke pressure with her quick combination passing and comfort in playing out of tight spaces. Marley Murdock, Reese Aafedt, and Madigan McGhie were also standouts for Thunder.

The North America Cup of the ECNL playoffs is a knock-out style postseason event with pressure on every game. The intensity and talent brings plenty of scouts to the sidelines. The event wrapped up in San Diego earlier this month. Prep Soccer was on hand for the event. Below is a scouting report on some of the top performers from in-person and video scouting of the North America Cup in the 2009 age group.