ECNL Girls Phoenix: Five Center Backs to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ECNL Girls League is hosting its third National Event of the season this coming weekend, in Phoenix, Arizona, where teams from the U16, U17 and U18-19 age groups will compete and have the opportunity to showcase their skills for three days, from Friday to Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As many as 166 teams from several different states will make the trip to Arizona and in their squads will be some of the most talented prospects in the country. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we preview the event, we're highlighting five players of each position that should be on your radar and these center backs certainly belong in that conversation:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110607"],"_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":"Rodell will anchor the backline of her Sporting Blue Valley G08 team that will have Concorde Fire Premier, San Juan SC and DeAnza Force as opponents in Arizona. A physical and intelligent player, she can go up against any attackers and has the tools to deal with players of any style. Rodell is very smart with her actions and does a very good job of putting pressure on opponents and pushing them away from the penalty box. She's also strong in the air, solid with her passing and can play on midfield too.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65428c7519fae"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1627749521294823445","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://x.com/grtorres/status/1627749521294823445 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112740"],"_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":"Grimes and her Sting Dallas Black G08 team will be faced with Mustang SC, Concorde Fire Platinum and MVLA in Phoenix. A new addition to the team this season, she's been forming an excellent center back duo with Reese Liner and the two have helped their team allow just six goals in ten matches in their undefeated ECNL Texas campaign so far. There's really nothing missing in Grimes' game as she's physical and intelligent enough to deal with any forwards and also has the technical tools to help the team in possession, besides being a threat in the air.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65428c751a01e"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="position:relative;width:fit-content;height:fit-content"> <a style="position:absolute;top:20px;right:1rem" href="https://clipchamp.com/watch/4z2cMu0CIAR?utm_source=embed&amp;utm_medium=embed&amp;utm_campaign=watch"> <img loading="lazy" style="height:22px" src="https://clipchamp.com/e.svg" alt="Made with Clipchamp" /> </a> <iframe allowfullscreen src="https://clipchamp.com/watch/4z2cMu0CIAR/embed" width="640" height="360"></iframe> </div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["86182"],"_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":"Hernandez will be representing FC Dallas G07, who will play Bay Area Surf, Beach FC and LAFC SoCal. The center back duo formed by Kiara Gilmore and her has been one of the best in Texas this season, as they allowed only three goals in 11 ECNL matches. Hernandez is very intelligent and technical and is excellent at anticipating plays and solving problems before they even happen. Despite not very tall, she's also strong in 1v1 duels and dominates attackers with her body. Hernandez has an excellent touch on the ball as well, connecting short and long passes from the back and being in charge of the team's corner kicks and free kicks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65428c751a07c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1708196276519493784","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://x.com/grtorres/status/1708196276519493784 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21660"],"_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":"Nystrom and her United Futbol Academy G06/05 team will compete against Challenge SC, SoCal Blues and Sporting Blue Valley in the Phoenix event. Capable of playing as a left-side center back or a left back, Nystrom, who recently committed to Georgia State, is very strong defensively. She reads space very well and is very quick to occupy it and win the ball. The defender also uses her body well to shield the ball and that helps her to initiate plays immediately after she gains possession. She's a strong weapon in set pieces too.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65428c751a0db"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["102095"],"_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":"Henley and the Dallas Texans G06/05 will be in action against Pateadores, Eagles SC and Utah Royals FC-AZ this weekend in Arizona. Capable of playing in the backline or right in front of it, she's a very solid defensive player, who plays a major role in the team's defensive system. Henley's main defensive asset is probably her ability to read the game, which allows her to make tackles at the right time and also to know exactly when to step up from the backline and put pressure on players in midfield. She's also very clean in possession and can hit some good long passes out of the back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65428c751a135"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/SkylarHenley4/status/1706414089755390025?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://x.com/SkylarHenley4/status/1706414089755390025?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->