Texas Center Backs to Follow at ECNL Boys Playoffs

The ECNL Boys League is set to go through a decisive moment in the next few days, as the playoffs will take place in Del Mar, California, from June 25 to July 2.   The event is set to reunite 344 teams from all over the country at Surf Sports Park, as the best regular-season teams from each conference will make the trip to the West Coast to play in matches that will determine the outcome of their campaigns.   Competition from the U13 to the U17 age groups will start with 66 teams (48 for the U13s), and only four in each group will qualify for the ECNL Finals, which will take place in Richmond, Virginia, from July 17-19. For the U19 age group, the field is limited to 32 contenders and the definition of the league champions will happen in Del Mar.   Texas will be largely represented in the event, with as many as 42 teams hailing from the Lone Star State to compete in the playoffs over the next few days. Some of the top players in the Lone Star State will be in action in the event, and we'll feature some of them in the days leading up to it.   These center backs are among the best in the state:    Flores-Martinez and his Albion Hurricanes FC B10 team start the playoffs in Group H, where they will play Ohio Premier, FC Wisconsin and Utah Avalanche. The center back is the anchor of their backline with his ability to defend the penalty box in the air and on the ground. Flores-Martinez is typically used in the center of the team's back three and makes a big impact with his positioning and mobility, consistently stepping up to cover and support teammates out wide. He's also very solid when he has to defend 1v1 outside the box, showing excellent footwork to react to opponents' moves and the patience to wait for the right moment to do so. He's also an effective ball-playing center back, playing a key role in the team's buildup and showing the confidence and the vision to break lines with his passing.   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPXLUwpEdEmoq-itKgQ2s5bgJie8We8IuJZTHg0/">Highlights</a>     Ortiz will be with the Dallas Texans Academy B10 team in their Group N matches against West Coast FC, FSA FC and Alabama FC. Combining solid physical and technical skills, he's very consistent and reliable in central defense, providing great stability for the team. Typically used as a left-sided center back, Ortiz is very strong when defending 1v1 as he places himself between opponents and the goal and forces them to make moves, waiting for the right time to react to it and win the ball with a firm tackle. He's very good with how he reads the game, too, and keeps opponents under pressure when he notices a heavy first touch. Ortiz also has quality and confidence on the ball and does a great job of moving it to his team's attacking players by carrying it upfield or connecting long passes out of the back.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ethan_ortiz10/status/2066394585207615867?s=20 </div></figure>    Osorio Parra's Solar SC Academy B09 team was drawn into Group L and will face Sporting Iowa, Eclipse Select SC, and Concorde Fire Platinum in their first matches in California. The center back is very good at defending in space, as his positioning puts him one step ahead of opponents when chasing long balls, and he's quick enough to keep up with them. Osorio Parra also thrives in 1v1 duels, as he's very good at anticipating moves and does a good job of making opponents uncomfortable when matched up with him. A lefty, he has great quality on the ball and uses it to carry it upfield and to deliver accurate long passes, often setting up attacking plays.    <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=56eXCyc49I0 </div></figure>    Quince is part of the DKSC B09 team that is set to play VDA, Ohio Premier and Match Fit Surf in Group O. Standing at 6'2", he provides them with a strong presence in the backline, controlling the penalty box with solid defensive plays. He uses his size very well to clear long passes and crosses in the air, but also has good mobility and instincts to make stops on the ground. Also capable of playing in midfield, Quince is very skilled on the ball, showing intelligent dribbling to keep possession when under pressure, and also has an outstanding passing range, delivering long balls with impressive vision and accuracy.    <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=TmXRDkqjlpA </div></figure>    Marrujo plays for the FC Dallas Red B08/07 team that will start its playoff run against Mustang SC. The team's captain, he's a vocal leader for them in the backline, constantly communicating with his teammates. Marrujo is not the tallest or physically strongest center back, but he plays hard and uses his body very well to dominate opponents and win duels inside and around the penalty box. He also makes the most of his positioning and mobility to make stops, showing an excellent success rate when defending in transition.   <a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/oliver_marrujo?video=6223961">Highlights</a>

The ECNL Boys League is set to go through a decisive moment in the next few days, as the playoffs will take place in Del Mar, California, from June 25 to July 2.