ECNL Girls Phoenix: Five Midfielders 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 when it comes to midfield, here are five names you want to keep an eye out for:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22205"],"_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":"Krakowski and her Eclipse Selelct G08 team will have a tough schedule in Phoenix, playing Solar SC, Legends FC and the Colorado Rapids. The dynamic midfielder is the team's engine, always very active on both sides of the ball and controlling their rhythm. Krakowski covers a lot of ground in midfield and wins several 1v1 duels. She's also very good in possession, connecting good passes to her teammates and supporting the team's buildup. A box-to-box midfield, she also likes to finish chances around and inside the penalty box and occasionally catches defenders off guard with her off-the-ball runs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654513d5b0788"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/SheaKrakowski/status/1715188859305148620?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/SheaKrakowski/status/1715188859305148620?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27228"],"_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":"Johnson and her Solar SC G08 team will face Krakowski's Eclipse Select, SLSG Navy and Michigan Hawks in Arizona. As a central midfielder, she gets on the ball a lot and often hits great passes. Johnson has excellent vision and that impacts not only how well she's capable of finding teammates in good spots, but also how intelligently she places herself to get on the ball, be it by relieving her backline of pressure or offering an alternative to offensive players. She's also very good at reading the game and makes several interceptions by stepping up and cutting passing lanes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654513d5b0817"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjAY6X3pLU","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=5qjAY6X3pLU </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25478"],"_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 captain of Tulsa SC G07, Francy will be a big part of her team's game when they face Jacksonville FC, Midwest United FC and GSA. She moved to a new role this season, playing as a defensive midfielder, and has adjusted very well. The intensity with which she plays and her high soccer IQ make of her an excellent ball-winner in midfield, while she also can immediately start offensive plays with her passing. Francy uses her physical tools well defensively and has tremendous endurance too.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654513d5b088c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8iRRKJNdp4","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=C8iRRKJNdp4 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54813"],"_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":"Hess plays for Sting Dallas Black G07 and they will face Pateadores, Mustang SC and SLSG Navy this week in Arizona. A very technical player, she joined the team this season and immediately became their main playmaker. She can do it all with her skilled left foot and has the ability to hurt any team if not closely defended. Hess moves very well to get on the ball and doesn't need many touches to make big plays. She thrives for her vision and is never afraid to attempt a difficult pass if she spots a good chance. An excellent finisher, she also scores a lot of goals from her attacking midfielder position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654513d5b08f5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKFBumbhvt8","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=tKFBumbhvt8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["26743"],"_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":"Smith and Challenge SC G06/05 will get to play United Futbol Academy, Beach FC and LA Breakers FC in the event. Smith plays a defensive midfielder role for them, but is actually heavily involved with their offense. Most of the team's offensive plays either start from left foot or go through it at some point as Smith is one of the team's main playmakers. She moves the ball around well in midfield and controls the tempo of the game with intelligence. Smith, who's also tasked with handling most of the team's set pieces, also does a very good of winning the ball back, especially when she uses her frame to do it.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654513d5b095f"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNZehVws7hc","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=tNZehVws7hc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->