Best XI named from ECNL Boys Conference Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Boys Conference Cup wrapped up last week from Chula Vista, California. The event was a new feature for the national league. The showcase brought together 90 of the best players from the national league broken into teams from each conference. At the end of the week, there was a champion crowned and a Best XI named by the technical staff on hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Central took home the Conference Cup Championship. Aidan Morrison scored the lone goal in the title game. Jareth Mejia, who was <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/07/five-players-on-the-rise-from-texas-boys-2025-class/">profiled last week on PrepSoccer</a>, was named the Man of the Match from the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out a scouting report on some of the players in the Best XI below and read more about the week's action at the bottom of the page. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["16641"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The Solar SC defender earned a spot on the Best XI from the Conference Cup event. He is a center back for his club side, Solar SC. Valentine spent u003ca href=u0022https://www.peoplenewspapers.com/2023/04/07/how-an-hp-soccer-player-refined-his-game-in-germany/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003elast season in Germany as part of Talentprojektu003c/au003e. Based on his comments about his time in Germany, he has returned to the US club game with a ton of confidence and a renewed sense of the work that he needs to put in to reach his goals in the game. His play in the Boys ECNL this past season has showed a player on the rapid rise. Confident on the ball, smart reading the game, and an excellent passer, Valentine has the quality to shine at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d1394a02618"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY5R3vhlanA","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=jY5R3vhlanA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["14478"],"_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_0_evaluation":"A versatile player with high-level potential, Holloway starred once again on a national stage. The North Carolina FC standout was one of the top performers at the ECNL National Selection Game in Virginia earlier this year. He earned a spot on the Best XI at the Conference Cup as the next accomplishment in his long list of honors. He regularly plays one of three spots on the field for his club side - either outside back spot or as the defensive midfielder. Considering his pace, it's easy to see his potential at outside back. But he is an excellent passer too. That said, he is likely going to be an outside back at the college level. The quality he offers in the tackle and the recovery speed is just too enticing to pass up for that role. Holloway should be a priority target for Division I programs looking for active outside backs that offer a strong two-way game. The 2024 grad signed an academy contract with North Carolina FC last month.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d1394a026ba"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDH_JSfvOyg","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=sDH_JSfvOyg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["144705"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Otu Bisong is a speedy attacking talent. He can play on either wing or through the center channel. He is a good finisher with either foot. His change of pace and quick twitch make him a nearly impossible mark in 1v1 situations. Bisong might have the highest ceiling among this group. His dominance at the high school level showed the excitement he brings in the final third. He didn't just run past defenders while scoring 18 goals at that level this past season. He worked on his craft - adding moves to his arsenal and improving on his control with the ball in tight spaces. Bisong is one of the top 2025s in the region.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d1394a02744"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uif8BYs2JNc","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=Uif8BYs2JNc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["7997"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='7997' first='Jude' last='Stone'] isn't exactly a new name to the spotlight, but it's good to see him still shining. The Santa Rosa standout earned a spot on the Best XI, as he shined while playing against and with the best players from the Boys ECNL. Stone is a center midfielder (box-to-box or attacking). His best attribute is his vision. He has the ability to see a pass that no one else on the field can see. This past season in the Boys ECNL, he regularly split defenses with his key passes to set up teammates. Stone has the quality to shine at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d1394a027e2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E0i6s3z1cw","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=-E0i6s3z1cw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">TEAM CENTRAL WINS INAUGURAL CONFERENCE CUP PLUS BEST XI NAMED</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following two days of high level competition between 90 of the top ECNL Boys athletes from around the country at the ECNL Boys Conference Cup, four teams remained standing with an opportunity to lift the inaugural ECNL Boys Conference Cup trophy at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center in California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Central advanced as the top four teams out of group play and faced off in a four team bracket for the Conference Cup Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first semifinal game, the Northeast and Northwest teams matched up for a spot in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an even battle between the two sides, but the Northwest grabbed the 1-0 lead in the second half from a left footed shot at the top of the box that was tucked away into the corner. With time winding down though, the Northeast found the answer and leveled things up at 1-1 to send the game into penalty kicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In penalties, goalkeeper Oliver Nybonn (Eastside FC) made two key saves and Alexis Cervantes (MVLA) fired home the game winning penalty in the fifth round of kicks to send the Northwest team into the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second semifinal, the Southwest and Central battled it out for the remaining spot in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like the first semifinal, the second was tightly contested throughout, but the Central managed to claw their way into the final off a late goal from a corner kick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After two days of group play and two semifinals it came down to the Northwest and the Central for the Conference Cup Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first half, the Central cashed in an opportunity from a set piece when Aidan Morrison (Albion Hurricanes FC) fired home a shot from just outside the box to put the Central on top 1-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northwest battled in the second half, but unfortunately had to play a man down throughout the entirety of the half and were unable to find the game tying goal despite some late attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, the Central held onto their 1-0 advantage and claimed the inaugural Conference Cup Championship trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the game, Jareth Mejia (DKSC) was awarded Man of the Match honors and the Best XI from the entirety of the week were recognized for their performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Best XI was selected by the technical staff at the ECNL Boys Conference Cup and is listed below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ECNL Boys Conference Cup Best XI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='7464' first='Dillan' last='Danks'] (West Coast FC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier Holloway (NCFC Youth Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reid Valentine (Solar SC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samahj Oyewo (LAFC So Cal)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabe Fernandez (Pacific NW)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac Scheer (Charlotte Independence Pro)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='7997' first='Jude' last='Stone'] (Santa Rosa United)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jose Romero (Oklahoma Energy FC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='79470' first='Noe' last='Morales'] (Legends FC)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pablo M Linzoain (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Otu Bisong (VDA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->