Center Backs Hard to Beat at Aggieland Friendship Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-2026 club season is set to officially start within the next few weeks, and teams from all over Texas are currently finalizing their preparations for the upcoming matches and looking to get on the field and compete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend will mark an important step in the preparation for many teams in the Lone Star State, as they will be fine-tuning their games in friendly matches and tournaments ahead of the start of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several of them will be in College Station, where the 2025 edition of the traditional Aggieland Cup will be held between Saturday and Sunday. This year, the tournament will feature as many as 170 club teams from the U12 to the U19 age groups, coming from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and other areas, and representing the ECNL, GA and DPL leagues, among others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best players in Texas will be competing at Veteran's Park this weekend, and we'll present some names for you to follow. These are some of the oughtest center backs who will be in action in College Station:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rian Delgado","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Atascocita","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65044b3dd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Delgado is a defender for the [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'] G10 team that will face Sting Black 10 and [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='[program_tooltip program_id='278668' first='Lonestar' last='']' last='SC'] Red RL G09 in the event. Despite not being very physical, she's very tough and can handle attacking players of different profiles in 1v1 duels. Delgado is very quick and intelligent with her defensive actions, often overcoming opponents by anticipating their moves and beating them to the ball. She's also very skilled and confident on the ball, connecting good passes out of the back and attempting runs through the middle when she sees the space to do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rhyse Venson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65044b3e70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Venson and her [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'] G10 team are set to play against [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] G10 and Solar SC G10 during their trip to College Station. The center back is one of the pillars of their backline since she arrived from [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='[program_tooltip program_id='278668' first='Lonestar' last='']' last='SC'] just over one year ago. Combining great size and impressive mobility, Venson has all the tools to develop into an elite defender because she can be dominant in the air and control the penalty box, but also has the ability to defend in space and keep opponents under pressure. She's also calm and efficient on the ball, preferring simple, short passes over more complex ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":279690,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/02/2J4A0078.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-279690" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["229580"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a65044b3ec8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perry captains the Rise SC 09 team that will meet [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] RL NTX G09 and [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] RL G09 in this weekend's event. A player with solid all-around skills, she can also play in midfield, but is mostly used in central defense for her club team. Perry's defensive game is extremely well-rounded as she holds her own in physical duels, is strong in the air and also does a great job of cutting passing lines to gain possession of the ball without the need of a tackle. She's also very comfortable on the ball and, besides playing an important role in the team's buildup, can also positively impact their offense with intelligent long passes out of the back. As the team captain, Perry sets the tone with her hard work and consistently communicates with her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/delaney_perry4/status/1952457590874472958","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/delaney_perry4/status/1952457590874472958 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaylynn Gallo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Medina","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='283457' first='San' last='Antonio City SC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a6557fb6f16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gallo will be with SA City SC G09 in their matches against [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] RL G09 and Imperial SC RL STX CL G09 in the Aggieland Friendship Cup. She plays up with them and is an important piece for the team, forming a solid center back duo with Ellesia George. A defender with solid physical tools, Gallo also does a great job with her positioning, being extremely valuable when it comes to defending the penalty box. Also strong in 1v1 duels, the center back is a nice asset when her team needs to break pressure from opponents with her ability to see and execute accurate long passes out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":306269,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0104.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-306269" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["87942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a6557fb6f7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hodgson is a center back in the [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] G08 team that will have [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] G08/07 and Sting Black G08/07 as opponents this weekend. A defender with solid skills, she stands out for her reliability and her consistency, two skills that are critical for players with big defensive responsibilities. Hodgson knows how to use her physical tools to dominate the penalty box and deny opponents the opportunity to finish, but she also does well when defending in space, doing a good job of slowing opponents down and keeping them away from the penalty box. Her mobility, calm and confidence allow her to play in midfield too, where she thrives at controlling the area in front of the penalty box while also appearing well in possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaTLKWX2SkU","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaTLKWX2SkU </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->