Rankings Analysis: Top 2027 defenders and GKs from MO/KS

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>USE PROMO CODE JR30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer state rankings for Kansas and Missouri were released this week. We combined the rankings for this group under the banner of Missouri. Read <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/10/behind-the-scenes-the-prepsoccer-2027-missouri-kansas-rankings/">more about this decision and our rankings process here. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defenders in this class feature players who have been identified by US Soccer scouts as some of the top in the region. We also mention a standout at the goalkeeper position below who is one of the best in the country. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the scouting report on some of the defenders and goalkeepers in our rankings below. Check out the<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/10/updated-2027-missouri-girl-rankings/"> full rankings here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["150131"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eEmo is a defender for the KC Athletics 09 ECNL team. She was recently called into a US Soccer Talent ID event. She plays as the left center back for her club team. She reads the game well and has excellent instincts defensively. She is a great organizer and keeps her side in the right spots. KC Athletics 09 squad is shaping up to be a top team in the Midwest and Emo is a major reason why.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["149761"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eWolverton is a defender on the KC Athletics 08 ECNL team. She was named to the ECNL Midwest All-Conference team last season She was also recently part of the US Soccer Talent ID Center event for the 08/09 age group. She is right footed, and plays as the left center back for her club team. Wolverton is a bit different from a modern center back. The way she defend 1v1 and can man-mark a player takes me back to the days of a sweeper-stopper style of defense. She doesn't play that style now, but her best skills seem like they would lend perfectly to the stopper role. She's an easy player to spot for KC Athletics because she does a bit of everything for the defense. She has a future as a defender, but also as a defensive midfielder. I hope she gets a chance in one of the ECNL showcase games this season because I think she could be a top performer at that level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["150135"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003ePhillips is a defender for the SLSG MO ECNL team. She plays as a center back for her club side. She is a modern center back - good on the ball, smart in her positioning, and fully capable of matching up against center forwards 1v1. Phillips is an impressive prospect for her role as she has all of the tools to be a top player in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["150083"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eWeitzel is a center back on the Sporting Blue Valley 09 ECNL. She plays on the left side of the defense. She is a strong defender who does not shy away from the challenge. She is a good leader for her team. Her approach and positioning impressed me from her recent play. She was excellent at reading crosses and dropping to the level of the cross to intercept the pass. It looks like she is right footed, but comfortable with either foot. Weitzel is an asset in the build-out and makes good decisions on the ball.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65257c4ee6e1f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TOP GOALKEEPERS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["137053"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eGillis was in the conversation for top five in this class. Gillis is the goalkeeper for the Sporting Blue Valley 09 ECNL team. She was part of the US Soccer U14 Regional Mini-Camp earlier this year. I'm a big fan of her game. This is an incredible class for the goalkeeper position considering the two studs at SLSG Navy. Gillis should be considered on level with them. One aspect of her game that really stood out to me was how well she moved in goal. She gets side to side quicker than almost anyone. She is always in an athletic stance and capable of making the diving save instantaneously. Gillis is good off her line with a strong right foot. All of the qualities are there for a top level goalkeeper in the future.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65257c4ee6e96"} /-->