U15 ECNL Boys National Championship Standouts

Sunday Afternoon featured the U15 ECNL National Championship game between Legends FC and STA. Legends were able to force mistakes at the back from STA due to their constant high pressure, and excellent finishing by Kingston Rojas and other legends attackers propelled them to their title with a dominant 5-1 victory. Although the score makes the game seem completely one-sided, STA played pretty well themselves. Here are some standout players from both teams in yesterday's showdown.    My word what a performance Rojas delivered in this game. He scored a very well taken hat-trick of goals due to his runs in behind defenders and his superb finishing skills with both his right and left foot. He was offside maybe once throughout the match, timing his runs almost perfectly from when the ball is played through for him. When he is through on goal with the goalie, he slotted two goals into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. The third goal he scored came from a square ball across the box in which he thumped home with his right foot. Kingston also played a large part in the high press, which was a key plan for Legends coming into this game. Another facet of his game on display was his dribbling skills on the ball, faking out defenders with cut backs and fake shots to create open spaces from defenders to have a shot on goal.     An electrifying right midfielder, Drew takes the ball forward with a dangerous mix of pace and quick dribbling skills. He often requires multiple defenders to follow him down the right flank as getting past the fist defender wasn't a problem in yesterday's match, which causes gaps to open up in the defense. Drew finds the open space down the right side with his passing and crossing, delivering some great balls and opportunities for his side. Drew also tracks back very well for an attacker, often tracking back to disrupt opposing attacks and kickstart counter attacks for his team going forward.     A tactical attacking winger, Luke was a catalyst offensively for STA going forward. Luke frequently will make diagonal runs towards both the left and right sides, spreading the ball around and using the full width of the pitch. From these areas Luke can be really dangerous, driving in off the side or putting in some tasty crosses across the face of the goal. In the center areas of the pitch, Luke is a very technical dribbler on the ball who possesses lots of control on the ball, rarely ever losing possession. He uses his shoulder to win 50/50 balls thanks to his physicality as well.     A left wingback who isn't shy about going forward with the ball, Aavik brings a lot to the table on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Defensively he can make some timely tackles that win the ball back or slow down the opposing attacks. He is good in the air as well and can make some nice aerial clearances when needed. Offensively he brings a lot to the table. He made a couple marvelous runs down the left hand side which ended in a tough save by the Legends keeper and a cross which turned into a narrowly missed header. He possesses a good shot with his left foot as well, having a couple great efforts on goal from distance. He scored STA's only goal of the game with a nice shot from a corner that bounced around to him.     A center defensive midfielder who possesses a multi-facet of tools to his game. Marcel is a catalyst to quick-start counter attacks when his team regains possession. He does this by picking out some splendid passes and through balls for his teammates to run on to, or spread the pitch out and play tactically through the channels. Marcel scored the first goal of the match from a nice shot outside the box, which took a slight deflection before going in. Nonetheless Marcel displayed his finishing ability and his awareness around the pitch with his positioning in open spaces and his passing to create opportunities.     A true marksman on the ball, Jaiden is a center and left midfielder that creates dangerous opportunities due to the threat he possesses when on the ball. His skills on the ball display his control and technical abilities, rarely losing possession and often running circles around defenders. His passing is his real threat, as the set piece taker of the team, Jaiden delivered some great balls in from corners and free kicks for his side, as well as some crosses from the left hand side. His vision and ability to put the ball exactly where he wants it shows his level of overall ability on the ball.

Sunday Afternoon featured the U15 ECNL National Championship game between Legends FC and STA. Legends were able to force mistakes at the back from STA due to their constant high pressure, and excellent finishing by Kingston Rojas and other legends attackers propelled them to their title with a dominant 5-1 victory. Although the score makes the game seem completely one-sided, STA played pretty well themselves. Here are some standout players from both teams in yesterday's showdown.