Top 2010 Defenders Shine at ECNL Phoenix Showcase

The ECNL National Event in Phoenix wrapped up on Sunday. The event featured some of the top teams in the country from the u12 through U17 age groups. The 2010 age group had extra significance for college scouts as programs continue evaluations on the 2028 players prior to the June 15 opening of communication from coaches to players. Below is a scouting report on some of the defenders who stood out from the games in the 2010 age group.    Bellotti, the right back for the MVLA 2010 ECNL squad, had a stellar performance against [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC']. MVLA ended the event with only one goal conceded from the three games against top competition. The Northern California squad looks like the favorite to lift the National Championship this summer.   Bellotti stood out for her two-way play. A shutdown defender on the wing, she was excellent with her technique in on-the-ball defending. She also showed soccer smarts with her positioning as she was quick to recognize when to rotate and cover.   Bellotti had the assist on the first goal of the day. She made a terrific pass with the correct weight on the ball as well as fitting it through a tight window. She is a real weapon from the outside back spot.   She moved into a center back role as well for part of the game. She did well in that spot and helped secure the shutout with her play. [player_tooltip player_id='199887' first='Cassandra' last='Travers'], [player_tooltip player_id='199889' first='Tori' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='268397' first='Gigi' last='Zuniga'], and [player_tooltip player_id='331630' first='Lexie' last='Scundi'] were also stars of the MVLA defense on the day.     Michigan Hawks 2010 only conceded one goal during the three games in Phoenix. The stout defense was challenged against some of the best teams in the country.   Miles was excellent in the shutout victory over Beach FC on the final day. The left center back intercepted a number of passes. She reads the game well and gets into the right spots to cut off passes into the forward line.   She was exceptional in her organization of the group and kept the collective backline working together throughout the game. Miles showed elite qualities that should translate to the next level.     Fennessey was highlighted in November as the new addition to watch from the Slammers Koge squad. She continues to cement her place as one of the rising stars in Southern California. The partnership with Kahalia Huddlestone makes them one of the best center back duos in the ECNL.   She doesn't appear on a ton of highlights because she does her job confidently and before danger even arises. She shows good decision-making qualities on the ball and can ping passes with accuracy over distance.   Fennessey offers a calm presence at center back who looks the part as one of the best at her position in the ECNL.     Landefeld was another key part of the Hawks defense. She had a number of strong moments when protecting the goal. However, the highlight of the weekend for Landefeld was clearly her passing.   She was splitting the opposition with ease against Beach FC. She picked out diagonal balls that not many defenders would see or would attempt. She was calm and confident on the ball. Her outlet passes and ability to spring the attack from any channel opened up the game for her side.     It looks like Chacon has found a new home at left back on the Slammers Koge 2010 ECNL team. She previously played as a center back, and is certainly more than capable to still hold down that role. But she starred as an outside back in the game against Michigan Hawks. Her athleticism and speed were on full display with her charging runs down the touch line.   Chacon is an exceptional defender who can do it all. She has the size to take on the towering center forwards and the foot speed to hang with even the fastest wingers. She's a top defender who continues to impress against the best competition in the club game.     Fredrick impressed at outside back for her Michigan Hawks 2010 ECNL side. A key part of the defense that only let it one goal in three games, Fredrick showed her versatility at playing on either side of the formation. She is an excellent 1v1 defender who goes into every duel with tenacity and confidence.   She also offered an attacking option from outside back with her skill and close ball control.     Madera was highlighted for her play at the start of the ECNL season and continues to be one of the best in her role. The right back is a dependable option for her team. The aspect of her game that deserves the most credit from the games in Phoenix was her quality on the ball.   Madera handled some tricky outlet passes with ease and broke pressure with a good first touch away from the opposition. She's the reliable outlet at outside back who retains possession for her squad and shuts down the winger.     Powell was excellent in the second half against Mustang SC. The center back read the game well and handled the dynamic attack from Mustang with her ability to read the game. Powell put in the tackles at the exact right time and provided a couple of key interceptions.   She also did well in organizing the defense and keeping the shape of the backline intact against the prying attack from Mustang. Powell was good on the ball too and made some key forward passes.     Karson was one of the best players on the field against LAFC So Cal. She looked poised and in control of every moment of the match. Karson is a highly rated defender and looks the part of a player who has professional level aspirations.     Wong had an excellent game against LAFC So Cal. She can play center back or in the midfield. Her ability to defend in open space is among the elite defensive midfielders in the 2010 age group. She also shows good instincts in possession in her movement off the ball. She is active in showing for the ball as an option.   Wong's versatility is certainly a huge asset, but her competitiveness was a major reason why for Mustang's success in Phoenix.     Puathasnanon is fresh off a stellar high school season and she continued to that top form in Phoenix. She's an athletic center back who can do a range of things at an excellent level. She was one of the best at the event at handling the on-ball defending in the center of the field. She was a destroyed of the opposition's attack. She's great in the tackle and covers a ton of ground. She's a talent to watch for the LAFC team, which is playing with a ton of confidence right now.     Boise Thorns 2010 ECNL only conceded one goal during the event in Phoenix. Banks was excellent in the game against [program_tooltip program_id='283434' first='Pleasanton' last='Rage'], which was Boise's second shutout of the weekend.   She covered a ton of ground, stopped a number of attacks, and always seemed to be in the right spot to help her team. Rylee Hutchison was also excellent at center back for Boise Thorns.     There is quite a bit of positional flexibility among the Rage 2010 ECNL roster and players can pop up in different spots all over the field within one game. Udeh's highest ceiling is at outside back. Her pace and endurance shine in that type of spot. She is a game-changing talent with her full-field runs and shut down defense.   Danielle Talivaa and Coraline Chan were also standouts for Rage's defense.

The ECNL National Event in Phoenix wrapped up on Sunday. The event featured some of the top teams in the country from the u12 through U17 age groups. The 2010 age group had extra significance for college scouts as programs continue evaluations on the 2028 players prior to the June 15 opening of communication from coaches to players. Below is a scouting report on some of the defenders who stood out from the games in the 2010 age group.