ECNL North Carolina-U16 Top Attackers

The next age category to compete at the ECNL NC event was the U16s. This category had 78 teams participating, giving us a wide array of talent to choose from in every position. Attacking-wise, this category provided plenty of phenomenal talents. With one more age category left for these players to go through, the future for each looks very bright. Choosing only a list of five was incredibly difficult, but the following list stood well above the rest.    Anna's fantastic work rate as a winger, primarily on the left, has seen her get called up for a recent USWYNT training camp. An intense player who loves to press aggressively, she often wins the ball in crucial positions. When she gets the ball, she proves to be devastating. Being skillful and agile helps her beat defenders in one-on-one situations with ease. She's also incredibly fast, beating players for pace if she can't skill past them. When she gets into the box, she demonstrates her phenomenal finishing. The calmness she scores with is remarkable, a calmness that isn't normal for wingers. She's also very helpful in defense, dropping back to offer support and win the ball back.     Sabrina is a multifunctional player in attack who can play in any attacking role comfortably. One of many players on an immensely talented team, she helps a well-oiled machine function to near perfection. Technically gifted, she loves having the ball close to her feet. Whether it's through dribbles or holding up the game, she looks to move her team forward. She is also a playmaker, playing all types of impressive passes all match long. If she's out wide, she looks to play the ball either into the channels or into the box. From further away, she plays through balls as if she were a creative midfielder. She even has set-pieces on lock, sending in precise crosses.     Destiny is a striker with a remarkably high ceiling who deserves more eyes on her. A technical striker isn't easy to find, but she breaks this trend. Whenever she's on the ball, she looks to free up space for herself with her agility and intelligence. She opens up space by dropping her shoulder or turning on her axis. These moves are impressive anywhere on the pitch, but especially more so inside the box. She loves to shoot, proving to be efficient, as most of her shots are on target. They aren't weak shots either, making the goalkeeper do work, whether they get to it or not. She's also got the opportunistic trait anyone looks for in a striker, pouncing on loose chances inside the box quickly. Outside the box, she can drift wide to open play and to receive the ball in space.     Clare is an impressive and unique talent who will undoubtedly catch more and more attention as the years go by. A winger who can also play as a striker, she makes her presence felt wherever she plays. The confidence she approaches attacks with is not only impressive by how effective she is, but how dominant she is. She raises confidence in her team and causes panic for the opposition. A tremendous dribbler, she not only rids herself of defenders but humiliates them. This isn't done just for fun or in easy positions, but rather opens up space in crucial positions. When she's in the box, she keeps her confidence to shoot. Her shots find the target, and her goals are well taken.     Nia is an immensely talented winger who mostly plays on the left. A possible representative for either Canada or Haiti, whoever gets her is getting a natural dribbler to wreak havoc in their favor. A player who attacks with bursts of pace, she proves to be insanely hard to defend. Getting the better of defenders when they least expect it opens up immense space for her. When she beats them, she either looks for the goal or finds someone closer than her. When she does, she plays great passes to her teammates, serving great opportunities. In the box, she always looks to get shots off, finding the target from wherever. In one-on-one situations with the keeper, she also proves to be a calm finisher.

The next age category to compete at the ECNL NC event was the U16s. This category had 78 teams participating, giving us a wide array of talent to choose from in every position. Attacking-wise, this category provided plenty of phenomenal talents. With one more age category left for these players to go through, the future for each looks very bright. Choosing only a list of five was incredibly difficult, but the following list stood well above the rest.