Spotlight on ECNL Conference Cup's Southwest Roster

The ECNL Conference Cup Rosters were announced this week. The Conference Cup is an annual event the brings together 120 of the top players from the ECNL for a competition. This year's edition features the U16 through U18 age groups (2009 through 2007). Check out <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S5wrL85bq1KzLX5T-Gs4zi7sMhNKwz2nqhO4s7YW5Mw/edit?gid=632805546#gid=632805546">the full rosters here</a>.   Below is a breakdown of some of the players to watch on the Southwest Roster.     Sogabe is one of two 2028s on the Southwest Roster, as they have one of the youngest squads at the event. Sogabe plays for the newly renamed Legends FC San Diego (previously Del Mar Sharks) 09 ECNL team. She is listed as a defender or midfielder on the Conference Cup roster. She played outside back during the ECNL playoffs for her side. She is right footed, but often plays on the left. She is good with either foot. She is a technical player with good skill on the ball and a clever passer. She's not an overwhelming player in terms of physical attributes or speed, but she is a player with high Soccer IQ, which makes her an impactful player at the highest levels. Sogabe could flourish alongside the other top talent on the Southwest team.     Kelly is a defender on the Legends 08 ECNL team. I believe she was pulled up to the 07 team for the National Finals in Richmond after her stellar play with her own age group. Kelly can play a variety of positions, but she is listed as only a defender on the Conference Cup roster. She is likely to line up at outside back. She had a terrific game against Internationals during the postseason. She is a great two-way player. She is physical as a defender and uses her body well to shield players off the ball. She is not afraid of contact and is smart about how she positions herself to keep her balance in the confrontation. She offers a weapon in the attack as well. She is skillful on the ball and has a ton of energy to get up and down the side of the field. Kelly can play either side of the defense, which should make her a valuable weapon at this event.     Hayward is two years post ACL surgery and is looking better than ever in recent games. The Phoenix Rising forward earned a spot at the top players event thanks to her standout performances throughout the ECNL season. Hayward had some brilliant moments during the playoffs in Washington. She was great in the game against LAFC So Cal. She is a dynamic playmaker from the No. 9 role. She can play with her back to the goal as a target for her side. She likes to take the first touch past the defender and get into a foot race on her terms, which sets her up for success given her speed and strength. She plays with her head up and spots the run of teammates. Hayward could also flourish in the No. 10 role thanks to those playmaking abilities.       Hansen is another 2028 graduate on the Southwest Roster. She is part of the US Youth National Team program, as she was called up to the U15 Women's Youth National Team in the past. She plays as an attacking midfielder on the Pateadores 09 ECNL team. Hansen will likely be one of the smallest players at this event so she will need to utilize her quick feet and quick thinking to stand out from the talented group of prospects.     Brucker was a standout to me during the ECNL Champions League. The Slammers FC Koge defender showed elite game awareness during the postseason events. She is one of the best defenders at scanning the field, tracking her mark, and still being in position to make a play on the ball. She is clearly well coached for her role, and takes a lot of pride in her ability to shut down the opposition. She will be tested against the best of the best at this event, and she will probably come out on top.      Southwest Roster   Ryder Ajeto (Legends FC)   [player_tooltip player_id='112212' first='Laney' last='Brucker'] (Slammers FC HB KØGE)   Giselle Fuentes (So Cal Blues SC)   [player_tooltip player_id='19164' first='Avarie' last='Gonzalez'] (Slammers FC HB KØGE)   [player_tooltip player_id='147282' first='Kendra' last='Hansen'] (Pateadores)   [player_tooltip player_id='18838' first='Ruby' last='Hayward'] (Phoenix Rising FC)   [player_tooltip player_id='77962' first='Abbie' last='Kelly'] (Legends FC)   [player_tooltip player_id='20055' first='Peyton' last='Marinos'] (So Cal Blues SC)   [player_tooltip player_id='83516' first='Kaia' last='Santomarco-King'] (LA Breakers FC)   Alexis [player_tooltip player_id='198762' first='Miya' last='Sogabe'] (Del Mar Sharks)   [player_tooltip player_id='58773' first='MacKenzie' last='Stearns'] (So Cal Blues SC)   [player_tooltip player_id='19572' first='Jenna' last='Verplancke'] (Slammers FC HB KØGE)   [player_tooltip player_id='58256' first='Presley' last='Williams'] (San Diego Surf)   [player_tooltip player_id='18699' first='Cali' last='Winstead'] (AZ Arsenal)

The ECNL Conference Cup Rosters were announced this week. The Conference Cup is an annual event the brings together 120 of the top players from the ECNL for a competition. This year's edition features the U16 through U18 age groups (2009 through 2007). Check out the full rosters here.