7 Rising Standouts from the ECNL Playoffs

<p>Over the last few days, I covered several matches at the ECNL Playoffs. With fields packed closely together and multiple games happening at once, there's no doubt I missed some talented players. That's simply the reality of covering an event this large. These evaluations are based on the players I was able to watch firsthand.</p>   <p>Most of the players featured in this article are younger prospects whose long-term upside makes them exciting to follow. However, one player stands apart. While the others are years away from college soccer, Jivan Olazaba is an under-the-radar senior who, in my opinion, has the ability to step into a college program and contribute immediately. Whether you're looking toward the future or searching for a player who can help a roster right now, this group offers a little bit of both.</p>   <p>From my experience, I have a strong eye for evaluating forwards and goalkeepers. Years of studying film, along with my own playing experience as both a goalkeeper and later a forward, have helped shape what I look for. While I have featured defenders before, I naturally find myself drawn toward the players who change games offensively or make match-saving plays in goal. These seven players left the biggest impression on me throughout the tournament.<br></p>    <p>Jivan Olazaba is the oldest player on this list and, in my opinion, the most overlooked. After watching the winger/striker throughout [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC']'s playoff run, I came away believing he's capable of playing above the level of schools currently recruiting him.</p>   <p>Jivan shared that he's currently in discussions with Mt. San Antonio College and Cal State Fullerton. While those are quality programs, I believe he has the ability to compete at an even higher level. He's been a leader for one of the top U19 teams in the ECNL and consistently delivered in big moments throughout the playoffs.</p>   <p>He scored several impressive goals during [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC']'s run, showcasing an outstanding combination of speed, creativity, and composure in front of goal. Whether playing as a striker, left winger, or right winger, he consistently found ways to create problems for opposing defenses.</p>   <p>What stood out most to me was his motor. His work rate is among the best I saw all week, and he competes with the intensity of someone who's ready for the college game. In my opinion, he's a plug-and-play player who can immediately compete for minutes at the next level. Players with his combination of attacking quality, versatility, and relentless effort are difficult to find, which is why I believe he's flown under the radar.</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/DaMQuF2pEfc/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>   <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/DaJ8ZOQyqvm/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='380446' first='Zane' last='Brown'] is a player who, in my opinion, has the potential to eventually find himself on the MLS NEXT Pro pathway if that's the route he chooses. I believe he could already contribute at many MLS academies across the country.</p>   <p><strong>According to sources close to the club, Zane is not expected to return to Crossfire following the ECNL Playoffs after recently relocating to Southern California.</strong> If that proves to be the case, his next move will be one worth watching, as he projects as a player capable of making an impact in either the ECNL or MLS NEXT landscape.</p>   <p>Before the move, Zane helped lead Crossfire with a dominant performance in the quarterfinals against St. Croix, recording a hat trick. What impressed me most wasn't simply the goals—it was how he scored them. On one finish, he anticipated the play developing before everyone else, timed his run perfectly to stay onside, and calmly finished. Some may view it as a simple goal, but elite strikers separate themselves through movement and anticipation. That's a trait Zane clearly possesses.</p>   <p>With his relocation to Southern California, it'll be interesting to see where he lands next. Regardless of the club, I believe he's one of the more intriguing young attacking prospects from this year's ECNL Playoffs, and I'll be following his development closely. </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/DaQxN7IB4bd/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Out of every player I watched throughout the week, Emi Vazquez may have been the most technically gifted.</p>   <p>His teammate [player_tooltip player_id='380446' first='Zane' last='Brown'] finished chances at an elite level, but Emi was often the player creating them. One assist in particular perfectly showcased his vision and awareness, delivering a perfectly weighted ball that set up one of Zane's goals.</p>   <p>The clips below also highlight his confidence in one-on-one situations, quick feet, and ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Every time he was on the ball, he looked capable of creating something dangerous.</p>   <p>Like Zane, I believe Emi has the talent to eventually find himself on the MLS NEXT pathway. His technical ability and creativity make him one of the most exciting young prospects I watched throughout the tournament.</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/DaQxFucBu_Z/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>   <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/DaQx7Bph-qR/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    <p>Nico was one of the biggest clutch performers I watched during the ECNL Playoffs. Representing [program_tooltip program_id='283471' first='Seattle' last='United']'s 2012 squad, he scored a dramatic late game-winning goal to eliminate [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'] and keep his team's tournament run alive.</p>   <p>Throughout the match, he consistently looked to make things happen in the attacking third. Whether it was pressing defenders, taking players on off the dribble, or finding dangerous pockets of space, Nico played with confidence and intent every time he touched the ball.</p>   <p>Although [program_tooltip program_id='283471' first='Seattle' last='United'] ultimately fell short of advancing further, Nico showed the mentality you want from an attacking player. With elimination on the line, he stepped up in front of goal and delivered when his team needed him most.</p>   <p>Standing 5-foot-5 and entering ninth grade this fall, Nico is a prospect I'll continue to follow closely. If he continues to develop at this rate, I believe he has the potential to fit into an environment like the [program_tooltip program_id='280103' first='Seattle' last='Sounders Academy']. His attacking instincts, confidence, and willingness to embrace big moments make him an exciting player with plenty of upside.</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/DaLht4WQ49I/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    <p>Jack Friedman is someone I've followed since earlier this year while representing Harvard-Westlake, and once again he showed why he continues to stand out.</p>   <p>Standing around 6-foot, Jack isn't the biggest goalkeeper, but he makes up for it with athleticism, explosiveness, and outstanding reactions. His penalty shootout against Rockford Raptors showcased exactly that, stretching full extension to stop multiple well-struck penalties. His team was losing the shootout until he made multiple saves to reposition them to eventually win. </p>   <p>As a rising senior who remains uncommitted, Jack continues to prove he deserves attention from college programs. He also carries an impressive 3.8 GPA, making him an attractive student-athlete both on and off the field.</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/DaN9286JmTJ/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    <p>Joaquin caught my attention during NASA Tophat's quarterfinal penalty shootout against [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'].</p>   <p>At the U13 level, it's uncommon to see a goalkeeper with his size. His frame naturally makes the goal feel smaller for opposing shooters, and he uses it to his advantage.</p>   <p>With his team's season on the line, Joaquin stayed composed and delivered several clutch saves to eliminate one of ECNL's most respected clubs. Doing so on the road against a California powerhouse at Surf Sports Park only made the moment more impressive. Pressure moments reveal a goalkeeper's mentality, and Joaquin looked confident throughout the shootout.</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/DaQ5lPaS2Oy/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='380459' first='Brandon' last='Wallenrod'] earned his spot in this article because of one unforgettable moment during the ECNL Playoffs against a talented [program_tooltip program_id='283471' first='Seattle' last='United'] side.</p>   <p>With the match deadlocked for nearly 80 minutes, Brandon stepped up and produced a world-class free kick to break the tie. It wasn't just that he scored—it was the quality of the strike. The placement, late dip, and knuckling movement on the ball are techniques that many players his age struggle to execute, even in training, let alone with a playoff match hanging in the balance.</p>   <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283471' first='Seattle' last='United']'s goalkeeper is a quality player, but there was very little he could do. Brandon's ability to generate that kind of pace and movement under pressure speaks to his striking technique and confidence.</p>   <p>Moments like these are why Brandon stood out to me. Delivering when the stakes are highest is a trait that separates good players from difference-makers, and his match-winning free kick was one of the best individual plays I witnessed throughout the tournament.</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/DaOSZFqyFF-/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== </div></figure>   <p>The ECNL Playoffs once again proved why it's one of the best scouting environments in youth soccer. While every top prospect won't be playing in the same league or following the same development path, tournaments like this provide a great opportunity to identify players who consistently rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.</p>   <p>As I continue studying the youth game, I still believe MLS NEXT is the premier level of youth soccer in the United States because of its concentration of professional academies and elite talent. At the same time, the ECNL continues to produce outstanding players who are more than capable of competing at that level. Whether it's because of geography, personal preference, or simply being overlooked, there are always a handful of players who fall through the cracks.</p>   <p>That's what makes events like the ECNL Playoffs so valuable. They give players an opportunity to prove themselves on a big stage, and they give scouts and fans a chance to discover talent that may not yet be receiving the attention it deserves. I'll be keeping a close eye on each of these players as their careers continue to develop, and I wouldn't be surprised if several of them are playing at even higher levels in the years ahead.</p>

Over the last few days, I covered several matches at the ECNL Playoffs. With fields packed closely together and multiple games happening at once, there's no doubt I missed some talented players. That's simply the reality of covering an event this large. These evaluations are based on the players I was able to watch firsthand.