ECNL Florida: Texas High-Impact Midfielders

<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. Our focus today will be on the midfielders who have key roles in their teams:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Meador and her Sting Royal U16 team are set to meet WNY Flash, Florida Krush and Portland Thorns in this weekend's event. Capable of playing as an outside back or in midfield, she's one of the pillars in her team with how efficiently and consistently she performs. Meador has a well-rounded game and a very high soccer IQ, which allows her to adjust to her team's needs and deliver what they require. She has tremendous quality on the ball, being a smart and efficient passer, and also stands out with her ability in set pieces. Meador also thrives defensively, making good choices and playing with great determination.</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/BraelynMeador/status/2007627054754476142?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Mattox plays for the DKSC U17 team that is scheduled to face Minnesota Thunder, SUSA FC and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals in their trip to Florida. A central midfielder, she works hard between the boxes and helps her team control the game with great effort and solid quality on the ball. Defensively, she reads plays very well and often steps up to intercept passes and win possession. A smart and direct passer, Mattox supports her team's offense with efficient distribution.</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=9puBA7Awjoo </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzales will be with [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'] U17 in their matches against Sporting Blue Valley, Beach FC and FL Premier FC in Lakewood Ranch. A central midfielder, she gets on the ball a lot and stands out for her intelligent distribution, moving the ball around quickly and efficiently. Gonzales also hits the ball very well, providing great deliveries in set pieces and firing dangerous shots from outside the box. She's very active defensively, doing a great job of pressing opponents in their own half and dropping back to stop plays with timely tackles.</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/Alli_soccer8/status/1993167322300006755/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Griswell is one of the standouts in the Solar SC U17 side that is set to have Concorde Fire Platinum, Michigan Hawks and Connecticut FC United as their opponents in Florida. Capable of playing in midfield or central defense, she is an elite defensive player, who, despite not being extremely physical, dominates opponents with her ability to read the game and anticipate plays. Griswell is extremely well-versed on the ball, too, standing out with quick moves to create space in the center of the field and accurate passing. She typically operates in the area between the midfield line and the penalty box, but will occasionally infiltrate into the final third to make plays.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Muniz will captain [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U17 in their matches against Richmond United, LV Heat Surf and Penn Fusion SA. A technical and intelligent central midfielder, she controls the pace of the game with her efficient distribution. Muniz's passing range allows her to play a major role in the team's offensive system, connecting her teammates and playing direct passes for them in the final third. She's also very active and intense defensively, reading plays well to step up and win possession.</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/myamuniz11/status/2008413526331965518?s=20 </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.