ECNL Boys Phoenix: Texas Outside Backs to Watch

<p>One week after the girls, it's now time for the Boys to appear in the fourth national event hosted by the ECNL League this season this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, with teams from all over the country set to play from Friday to Sunday.</p>   <p>Having the Reach 11 Sports Complex and the Reata Sports Complex as its venues, 230 teams in the U15, U16, U17 and U19 age groups will come from the entire country to play three matches each and showcase their skills against some of the top talent in the country.</p>   <p>Texas will send 36 teams to the event, with sides from Albion Hurricanes FC, BVB International Academy, Dallas Texans, El Paso Locomotive, FC Dallas, FC Westlake, HTX, Rise SC, San Antonio City SC, San Antonio FC and Solar SC representing the Lone Star State in Arizona.</p>   <p>As we count the days for the start of the event, let's take a look at some of the top talent from Texas who will be heading to Arizona this weekend. This time, we'll feature the outside backs:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cannings plays left back for the Albion Hurricanes FC 09 team that will duel with El Camino Futbol Club Salinas, LV Heart Surf and XF in Arizona. He has a good mix of technical and physical tools and typically makes a strong impact with his game. Cannings is capable of contributing to his team's offense in different ways as he has vision and passing ability to come inside and help their buildup, but also the pace and athleticism to make plays out wide - he crosses very well and is also dangerous in set pieces. A track and field student-athlete, he has impressive endurance and that helps him play defense with great energy during entire matches.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/IMG_1184.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-270994" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Albion Hurricanes FC 09 vs. HTX 09</figcaption></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cleveland and his HTX 08 team are scheduled to meet Pateadores, FC Tucson and LA Breakers FC during their time in Phoenix. Expect the left back to be a key player for them with his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. A very physical player, Cleveland is a tough defender, who uses his physical tools well to win duels and also thrives with his interceptions. He also has great quality on the ball, using both feet well to dribble, cross and pass, and likes to get into the penalty box to finish chances, which he does with tremendous efficiency.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhT_5Fvzx7/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Bautista captains the FC Dallas Red 08 team that will have Colorado Rapids, Eastside FC and SDSC Surf as their opponents in the event. Originally a winger, he converted to left back and continues to be an attacking threat in his team. An excellent dribbler, Bautista likes to be isolated 1v1 against a defender out wide to beat him with a quick dribble and send a cross into the penalty box. A solid passer, he is creative and has good vision, at times coming inside to help his team overload the central area of the field. Despite his size, Bautista plays hard on defense and shows great energy to get stops and recover possession.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_4004.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170916" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">FC Dallas Red B08 vs. Real Colorado National B08 </figcaption></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Potter will be with the BVB IA 07 team in their matches against Association FC, Santa Rosa United and River Islands Surf in the showcase. A very physical defender, he can play anywhere across the backline, but has been spending more time at outside back. His ability to dribble the ball forward and shield it with his body and the way he times his run off the ball make of him a very interesting player to have out wide. Potter is also very determined and disciplined defensively, doing a very good job of shutting down opposing wingers with his physical game and relentless work off the ball.</p>    <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=sNwJgrlrRkM </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Having Tober in the lineup, San Antonio FC 07 will face Sporting California USA, San Juan SC and PacNW SC as their opponents this weekend. He's a versatile player, who can occupy wide positions in the backline or the midfield, and who's capable of contributing on both sides of the ball. A right-footed player, Tober is mostly used on the left, which gives him the ability to hit accurate diagonal passes or come inside and engage in combination plays. He also does solid work off the ball, staying alert on defense and being ready to react when he spots a heavy first touch or an attacker under pressure.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/IMG_3607.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-170753" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SAFC B07 vs. Colorado Rapids B07</figcaption></figure>

One week after the girls, it's now time for the Boys to appear in the fourth national event hosted by the ECNL League this season this weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, with teams from all over the country set to play from Friday to Sunday.