GA Champions Cup: Must-Watch 2011 Contenders

The Girls Academy Winter Showcase and Champions Cup kicks off this weekend from Southern California.    Check out a preview of some of the top teams to watch from the 2011 age group in the Champions Cup.    Tophat Gold 14-0-2    Tophat Gold enters as a favorite in every age group in the Girls Academy. The club does an incredible job of developing talent and continuing to push for excellent from every team. The 2011 team is emerging as a threat to be considered among the best in the country in any league. The team does an excellent job with their spacing and features smart playmakers who can improvise from the run of play. Tophat takes on Real Futbol, Columbus United, and FRAM in Group E of the Champions Cup.    Players to Watch:    Makenna Johnson-Williams    The defensive midfielder is a key piece for Tophat. She dominates the center of the field. She's athletic, reads the game well, and consistently wins duels. She has elite qualities that make it clear she is going to be a top-tier player in this game for a long time.    Caroline Sellers    Sellers is a forward who plays on the right wing. She is a skillful player who can win the 1v1 duel off the dribble or with her pace to get behind the defense. She plays with her head up and spots opportunities to create chances quickly. Sellers is a good finisher and scores from difficult angles often. She's a top talent for the opposing defense to focus on when playing against the Tophat squad.    Lynnleigh Nichols    Nichols is a versatile defender for Tophat. She can play outside back or center back. She can even play in the midfield. She has the athleticism and soccer smarts to fill in any spot that her team needs her. Nichols has been outstanding at center back this season. She reads the game well and gets to the right spots to make a play. She's also excellent with her distribution.    Lamorinda 12-1-1   Lamorinda enters the showcase as one of the top teams in the 2011 age group. With 62 goals scored in 14 games, the Northern California squad has one of the best attacks in the Girls Academy. The team uses a free flowing attack with multiple players making runs off the ball to create a dynamic style of play that is difficult to stop. They take on City SC White, Cincinnati United, and Spokane Shadow in Group C of the Champions Cup.    Players to Watch   Naomi Piñon    Pinon is a midfielder/forward on the Lamorinda squad. She is a 2012 who is playing up an age group. She has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events and Mexican National Team Talent ID events. She's a skillful player who has excellent close control of the ball with either foot. She is an elusive dribbler who can send defenders to the ground as she cuts on a dime and changes pace with advanced skill and playmaking quality.    Gianna Ballardo    Ballardo is a midfielder/winger for the Lamorinda 2011 GA team. She has a great first touch. She is a quick thinker on the ball. She is the key playmaker for her team. She is excellent at progressing the ball up the field. Her creativity in the final third creates a number of chances. Ballardo is a top midfield talent in GA.    Lou Fusz Athletic 17-0   Lou Fusz is the favorite in this age group and one of the best teams in the country. The squad won the Champions Cup last year. They are a balanced squad with standout players in every role. They take on Utah Celtic, New York SC, and Beadling SC in Group D of the Champions Cup.    Players to Watch    Elin Austin    Austin is a two-way player who has incredibly high upside as a No. 8. She can create chances, dictate the pace of play, and has excellent vision with her ability to play with her head up and constantly scan the field. She has quick feet and great balance on the ball. She withstands tackles and charges through the opposition with her close control. Austin has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past.    Rosie Kiely    Kiely is the goalkeeper for Lou Fusz. She won the Golden Glove in the Girls Academy last season. She has also been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She is an excellent shot-stopper. She has great diving technique, strong hands, and a good read on the flight of the ball. Kiely has been a key piece for one of the most successful club soccer teams in some time.    Galaxy SC 13-2-1    Galaxy SC's dominant offense has been the story in the Midwest East this season. The potent attack has notched 56 goals in 16 games. They will be looking to add to that mark in Southern California in Group B of the Champions Cup. Indy Premier, HTX, and Virginia Revolution are hoping to slow down the Illinois squad.    Players to Watch    Jourdan Henderson    Henderson is a forward on the Galaxy team who seems impossible to stop. She has been called into US Soccer Talent ID events recently. She has been playing with a ton of confidence recently. Henderson is an excellent finisher. She shines in her ability to get on the end of crosses and finishes chances. It might only seem like half a chance, but if Henderson gets any space, it's going to be a goal. She has a long stride that allows her to get past defenders and the quality to finish with either foot. She's got all the potential to be among the top attackers in the 2029 class.    Laini Rucka    Rucka is a midfielder on the Galaxy 2011 GA team. She has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events recently. She's a quick midfielder with good skill. She's one of the key players of the team. She gets a lot of highlights for her finishing ability from the midfield. The key aspect of her game though is how she handles pressure. Her knack for spinning off pressure and bursting into the open space routinely creates an advantage for her side and sets up chances in every game. She's an elite playmaker.    Union KC 7-4-2    Perhaps the most open of the groups is Group A from the Champions Cup. NEFC is yet to play a game this season and none of the other teams sit at the top of their conference standings heading into the weekend. Union KC has a scrappy bunch that grinds out results and could be the darling of the event with their defense that is tough to break down. Florida United and Michigan Jaguars are the other two teams in the group.    Players to Watch    Makayla Gail    Gail is a forward who is playing at near the top of her game right now. She seems to be scoring in every game and most of the time she is scoring multiple goals in a game. She's a quick player with strength and a nose for the goal. Gail could be the key piece for Union in their success in Norco.    Kensie Nguyen    Nguyen is another attacking talent from Union KC. She is a skillful player who is always around the ball. She has been on the scoresheet consistently throughout the season. She is a nifty playmaker with the quality to finish chances.

The Girls Academy Winter Showcase and Champions Cup kicks off this weekend from Southern California.