ECNL Phoenix – Day 3 Standouts

<p><strong>Top-level teams and fringe teams look to jump-start their playoff hopes with a good showing in the tourney.</strong></p>   <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p>   <p>Day 3 matchups featured some really good teams making a name for themselves or fringe teams trying to make it to the national playoffs. Some take for granted the midway point in the season, as the three matches at this event could propel their squad into playoff contention. Yet, at the same time, some teams who came in red hot might have hit a roadblock, but adjustments can still be made in the next month or two to get them where they want to be.</p>   <p>With one of the first matches of the day, [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] G09 took on [program_tooltip program_id='276499' first='WNY' last='Flash']. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Standout players for Force were [player_tooltip player_id='111177' first='Zuri' last='Brandt'] (2027 - Washington commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='146356' first='Sophia' last='Norton'] (2027 - Cincinnati commit). Brandt got the goal, and Norton provided offense and defense to keep De Anza in contention for a possible run in making the playoffs. As for Flash, [player_tooltip player_id='276247' first='Kylie' last='Kress'] (2027) got their lone goal off a corner kick with a perfect header. </p>   <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] and [program_tooltip program_id='276499' first='WNY' last='Flash'] Highlights:</strong></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/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038280163440628190?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Another G09 matchup featured the defending ECNL national champions MVLA against LV Heat Surf. The two teams went head-to-head, and the goalkeepers were the main reasons for the 0-0 draw. Standouts for MVLA were [player_tooltip player_id='111087' first='Anneliese' last='Braun'] (2028), [player_tooltip player_id='111091' first='Kendall' last='Koury'] (2027), and last year's ECNL Player of the Year, [player_tooltip player_id='146242' first='Allison' last='Park'] (2027—Illinois commit). LV Heat Surf's standouts were Halle Barrett (2028) and Sophia Aragon (2027).</p>   <p><strong>Halle Barrett Highlights:</strong></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/BayAreaSocScout/status/2039907471037481189?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">The National Selection match invite played stellar throughout the tourney. During the 3 matches with LV Heat Surf, she was part of 2 shutouts and a total of 3 tied matches. Halle showed aerial skills by going up high and pulling down top-level shots. Her athleticism is off the charts. In the match against MVLA Gunners, the 09G National Champions, Halle played lights out and left everything on the field. Her ability read the attack is what helped her team to keep MVLA off the board. She's a top-level GK who's probably going to get a bunch of calls in June 15th.</p>    <p><strong>Sophia Aragon's Highlights:</strong></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/BayAreaSocScout/status/2039917009182634011?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Primarily played as a left-winger. She can put on the after burners once she got into the open field. Sophia was hard to contain once she hits full stride. I also liked how she could drop back and disrupt the opposing offensive by cutting off attacking lanes and quickly transitioning to counterattacks. She's active on both ends and has the potential to be an impact player.</p>    <p>The final G09 match featured [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy'] and [program_tooltip program_id='283245' first='Arizona' last='Arsenal'] in a 3-2 Legacy victory. [program_tooltip program_id='283312' first='Davis' last='Legacy'] went 2-1 in the tourney, and Arsenal went 1-1-1. Standouts for Davis were [player_tooltip player_id='111113' first='Isabella' last='Rendino'] (Defender - 2028), and for Arsenal it was [player_tooltip player_id='284813' first='Tatum' last='Michelle Gardner'] (2028), who scored an epic set-piece goal.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284813' first='Tatum' last='Michelle Gardner']'s Highlights:</strong></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/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038298393450336413?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Rounding out the last day of the tourney was an 11:00 match featuring some G11 teams. The [program_tooltip program_id='283389' first='LA' last='Breakers'] are taking on the Internationals SC, out of Ohio. Breakers won the match 3-1 and boasted a 2-0-1 record in the tourney. Standouts for Breakers were [player_tooltip player_id='222238' first='Sydney' last='Roddick'] (2029) and [player_tooltip player_id='354261' first='Amelia' last='Nielsen'] (2029).</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222238' first='Sydney' last='Roddick']'s Highlights:</strong></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/BayAreaSocScout/status/2039890048884379691?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">She played primarily as a left back, but moved up once her team was in the attacking third. Sydney's strong throw-ins almost resulted in a goal or two. She sent sent one to the penalty area to a teammate who struck it cleanly, but it pinged off the crossbar. Sydney also made clean tackles, strong headers, and showed footwork skills to play the ball from the back line. More of a box-to-box player who can deliver on both ends of the pitch. The class of 2029 rankings riser is the #26 player in CA and the #7 defender. Her game awareness, elite athleticism, and ability to make big plays will definitely help her get to the next level.<br><br></p>    <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354261' first='Amelia' last='Nielsen']'s Highlights:</strong></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/BayAreaSocScout/status/2039895563395829843?s=20 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">She was quick on the ball and showed some impressive dribbling skills to get past multiple defenders. I also the pace in which she attacked the goal. Her ability to apply pressure up top also helped her team secure a 2-0-1 showing and possibly kick start the team with playoff contentions. Amelia got her team's first goal in their third match off of a deflected ball in the penalty area. Her quick one-touch shot was too fast for the GK to react. She's also a recent USYNT regional team invite and a player on the rise.</p>    <p>Overall, despite the heat going up as high as 99 degrees. I didn't see anyone pass out, and I hope that was the case. As for me, this was my return to the desert after my previous stopover back in 1988, when my U-19 Maui Cobras (Hawaii State Champions) played in the USYSA Far West Regionals. I remember players back then passing out during the 104 degrees in late July. Anyhow, I really enjoyed the experience, and the venue and service at ECNL Phoenix were definitely top-level.</p>   <p></p>

Top-level teams and fringe teams look to jump-start their playoff hopes with a good showing in the tourney.