ECNL Florida: Texas Hard-to-Stop Forwards

<p>Teams competing in the ECNL Girls League are set to get on the field for the first time in 2026 this weekend, when the league hosts a national event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.</p>   <p>The Premier Sports Campus facility is set to welcome 230 teams from all over the country, which will compete between Saturday and Sunday in the U16, U17 and U18-19 divisions, with each of them playing three times over the weekend.</p>   <p>Despite the start of the high school season in Texas, nine teams from the Lone Star State will make the trip to Florida, with [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], Solar SC and Sting Royal being represented in both the U16 and U17 age groups and the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] sending their U17 team.</p>   <p>Some of the top players in the state will be in action in the event, and we're pointing out some who could be poised for excellent showings in the days leading up to it. With the ball rolling tomorrow, it's time we meet some of the most dangerous forwards of the Lone Star State who will be on the field this weekend:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Oubre will lead the line for DKSC U16 in their matches against Alabama FC, Connecticut FC United and CESA Liberty this weekend. A dynamic and skilled forward who can play on the wings or more centrally, she's a constant threat to opponents with her high-energy game up top. Oubre is an excellent dribbler who can beat defenders with her pace out wide or in tight spaces, and is very direct with how she attacks the final third. She also has a good presence inside the penalty box and can finish chances with either foot and with first-time shots if needed.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRsQEXKD1ER/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Goncalves plays for the Solar SC U16 side that has La Roca FC, FC Pride Elite and Eclipse Select SC in their schedule for the weekend. A new addition to the team this season, she boosted their offense with her crafty and productive game. An extremely technical and intelligent player, Goncalves can play anywhere in the frontline and also as an attacking midfielder. She has some incredible footwork and is very difficult to stop in 1v1 duels because of how quick and unpredictable she is on the ball. Goncalves can score at a high volume and is prone to scoring <em>golazos</em>, but also does very well when setting her teammates up in the final third.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXMktF2OizA </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Bledsoe and her Sting Royal U16 team will have strong competition in Florida, having WNY Flash, Florida Krush and Portland Thorns as their opponents for the next three days. The forward is a new addition to their squad and immediately became a key piece in their offensive system, bringing unmatched quality on the ball and intensity. Bledose is a workhorse, moving everywhere in the final third and making excellent decisions every time she gets on the ball. A phenomenal dribbler who combines pace and creative moves, she creates chances for herself and her teammates at a high volume, and also does a great job of converting them with well-placed shots.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQWok-mjRED/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Harrington plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U16 team that will face Charlotte SA, Concorde Fire Platinum and Penn Fusion SA while in Lakewood Ranch. An U15 player, she's a complete forward who has the tools to dominate opponents and take matches over in a variety of ways. Also capable of playing in midfield, she's very physical, using her body very well to shield the ball from opponents and her pace to make direct runs upfield. Harrington is very technical too, and uses both feet very well to dribble, pass and shoot. She's an elite finisher who's also a threat in the air.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRvb6EJDHXS/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Wood is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] U17 team that will be faced with Sporting Blue Valley, Beach FC and FL Premier FC in this weekend's event. Capable of playing in any of the three attacking spots, she knows how to create chances from the wings, bringing the ball inside to finish or feed her teammates. Very quick and direct, Wood is a lethal weapon in transition, breezing past opponents in her way to the goal. She also has solid finishing skills, popping up in great spots inside the box and showing calm and composure to send the ball into the back of the net with either foot or her head.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TayleeWood44/status/1988447925391732940/ </div></figure>   <p></p>

Teams competing in the ECNL Girls League are set to get on the field for the first time in 2026 this weekend, when the league hosts a national event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.