Texas Center Backs to Keep on the Radar at ECNL Phoenix

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Girls League hosts its first big national event in the 2026-2027 season this month, reuniting teams in the U16, U17 and U18/19 age groups in Phoenix, Arizona, from November 13-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The three-day tournament held at Reach 11 Sports Complex will feature as many as 204 teams from all over the country in a highly competitive environment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Texas will be represented by 27 teams, representing eight different clubs - [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'], [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='[program_tooltip program_id='278668' first='Lonestar' last='']' last='SC'], Solar SC and [program_tooltip program_id='283499' first='Sting' last='Dallas'] - across the three age groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're taking the week to feature some of the best players of the Lone Star State who will be in action in Arizona soon, and it's time we highlight the center backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["295354"],"_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-6ae5004a703f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henning is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U16 team that is set to face San Diego Surf, Slammers FC HB Koge and Mustang SC in the event. She joined the team this season and has been a key piece in their backline, making a big impact for them in central defense. A tall center back, Henning is very good at protecting the penalty box, but she also does well when defending in space, especially because of her ability to read plays and be in the right places to make stops. She's very comfortable on the ball, too, playing accurate passes out of the back and demonstrating confidence to play out of pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miGduBq7Bb0","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=miGduBq7Bb0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214718"],"_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-6ae5004a7045a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dawkins and her Sting Black U17 side will have Missouri Rush, Slammers FC and Chicago Inter as opponents in Arizona. She's very competitive and provides great defensive stability to the team with her excellent positioning. Dawkins moves well across the backline and, despite not being very tall, is tough to beat in 1v1 duels, making firm actions and not holding anything back when she fights for the ball. The center back contributes offensively with her ability to provide great service off set pieces and leads the backline with her consistent and efficient communication.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVt-h3tm0yg","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=tVt-h3tm0yg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["348832"],"_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-6ae5004a7049a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams will be with [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] in their matches against Kansas City Athletics, LV Heat Surf and Legends FC. A US Virgin Islands youth international, she can play anywhere across the backline, but is more commonly used in central defense with Albion. Williams is at her best when playing on either side of a back three so she can make the most of her pace to chase opposing wingers out wide. The defender is very successful in 1v1 duels, waiting for the right time to make a play for the ball and being very firm and accurate with her actions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":350573,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2J4A0215.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-350573" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214744"],"_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-6ae5004a704d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kelly plays for the Solar SC U17 team that will get to compete with Indy Eleven, Gretna Elite Academy and Concorde Fire Platinum in Phoenix. A center back with a strong combination of physical and technical tools, she stands out as the last line of defense for her team, making the most of her positioning to step up and stop opponents when they progress towards the box. Sutton also delivers when she has to defend higher up on the field, showing great intelligence to press opponents and force them back. The center back is very confident on the ball and doesn't hesitate before getting into the attacking half when she has a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ6cDSSG7tg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ6cDSSG7tg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112767"],"_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-6ae5004a7050a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King features for the [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='Lonestar' last='SC'] San Antonio RL U19 team that will meet Kansas Rush Gold RL, Utah Surf and COSC next week. A very technical center back, she anchors their backline and does a great job with that, performing consistently and stepping up when her team needs her to. Defensively, she makes an impact with her ability to read plays and her quickness to intercept passes. King, who can also play as a forward, is extremely capable of contributing offensively as well, helping create chances with her runs on the ball and progressive passing and converting them with excellent presence in the penalty box in attacking set pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LeonaKing2008/status/1939824645945098728?a=RZ02NzjnJMlk2S5nG_gu0026amp;s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LeonaKing2008/status/1939824645945098728?a=RZ02NzjnJMlk2S5nG_gu0026amp;s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->