Defenders to Follow at ECNL Texas League Cup Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams from the Lone Star State will have the first opportunity to earn some silverware in the 2026-2027 ECNL this weekend, when the Texas League Cup Finals will be held at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex between Saturday and Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event will feature four teams from the Texas Conference in each age group from U13 to U17, which qualified by getting results in League Cup matches held since the start of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Texas will have 14 teams in action in the event, and we're now introducing some players who could be set to have great weekends in Round Rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we look into the defenders:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386408"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfab9097165"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lozano and her [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] U15 team are scheduled to play against Solar in the event's semifinals on Saturday. She's a versatile defender who can be used anywhere across the backline and performs consistently in all of them. Lozano has solid physical tools, and that helps her defend the penalty box when she plays as a center back. When used as an outside back, she relies on her pace to challenge opposing wingers out wide. Lozano also has solid quality on the ball and moves it well out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295100"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfab909719f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ramos is part of the Solar SC U16 side that will meet [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] in the semifinals in Round Rock. She plays as a left back and contributes with a strong and consistent two-way game. Ramos is very solid defensively, doing a great job of winning duels and protecting the space behind the backline to avoid passes in behind. She also has good quality on the ball and can support the offense by staying out wide and helping stretch the field or by coming inside and using her passing and vision to operate as an additional playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qktw6u07-lQ","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=qktw6u07-lQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["169424"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfac89776af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Guerrero will be with Solar SC U17 when they battle Sting Black in the League Cup semifinals. One of the top center backs in the country, she can also play in central midfield thanks to her tremendous quality on the ball. Guerrero reads the game very well and is extremely quick, a combination that allows her to consistently intercept passes and to recover when opponents make runs behind the backline. She's also very calm and confident on the ball and initiates the team's buildup with remarkable quality and efficiency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lidyegf2Vo","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=4Lidyegf2Vo </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214717"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6adfac89776e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodin and her Sting Black U17 team will play Solar SC for a spot in the final in Round Rock. Combining nice physical tools and a very high soccer IQ, the center back is a tough matchup for any forwards who get into her zone. Goodin's defensive instincts are excellent, as she's capable of performing clean, accurate tackles in any situation. The center back also plays a noticeable leadership role with her team and is very efficient in possession, keeping the ball even when under pressure and moving it well out of the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYnxZipABAn/","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <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/p/DYnxZipABAn/ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->