ECNL Phoenix Day 2 Standouts

Day 2 here in Phoenix started at 8am with the day's first round of games and it ended at 8pm with the East VS West showcase. So bear with me I'm a little tired so I apologize in advance for any typos. The Showcase game was a set of players selected by various people within ECNL that featured the top players in the 2008 age group. The atmosphere was absolutely electric with what seemed like every team coming to watch their teammates compete. As well as all college coaches in attendance. It was fun to see and there was some big time talent on display.   At 8am I watched Bay Area Surf take on Slammers HB Koge in the U-19 age group. [player_tooltip player_id='54212' first='Vanessa' last='Aguilar'] scored an incredible goal and was an immense creative force for her team. She is exceptional in tight spaces and weights her passes very precisely. Vivi Zararias was a standout for Koge scoring a goal and putting in a great overall performance for her team.   I made my way over to catch a little of two games with FC Dallas taking on San Diego Surf in the 2008 age group and on the field right next it Slammers HB Koge taking on Real Colorado. From FC Dallas I was very impressed with center back Stella Sa she has great awareness and positioning. She also has an innate ability to player balls over the top of defenders into her wide players feet and is super composed on the ball. Jocelyn McKinney had a great game for FC Dallas she's so fast and scored a great goal on a break away.   Slammers 2008's have a ton of talent [player_tooltip player_id='19499' first='Ireland' last='Churchill'] is a stud. She's an attacking player that has great technique, vision, and anticipation. She scored a good goal and got a great assist. [player_tooltip player_id='112376' first='Julianne' last='Richter'] who will be attending SMU really caught my eye. She's a fierce competitor and gets it done on both ends. I really like the way she dribbles into space and finds gaps in the opposing defense. [player_tooltip player_id='112390' first='Abigail' last='Nuez'] who is uncommitted is a very strong defender with a bright future.   I went to go watch a U-19 matchup San Diego Surf play San Juan. San Diego just outclassed their opponents. A lot of strong performances all around but BYU's [player_tooltip player_id='19248' first='Cassidy' last='Drago'] was the best player on the field. She scored twice one being a phenomenal Messi like free kick from around 25 yards outs. [player_tooltip player_id='19150' first='Ava' last='Harrison'] is a star who buzzes around the field with intent. The Stanford commit has not taken her foot off the gas since committing to what is too many young soccer players their dream school.   It's not often you watch a Slammer Koge team get outplayed but KC Athletic did just that. Defensively you can thank Meila Brewer. She seems way too good to be playing at this level in my opinion. She should be a professional already if you ask me. It's like a woman amongst girls out there. Samantha Ogden scored for KC to help secure the win. [player_tooltip player_id='112217' first='Alexis' last='Katter'] had another strong showing for Koge proving that she can play any position she is asked and also taking every set piece.   Beach took on MVLA in the 2008 age group. [player_tooltip player_id='112383' first='Kaya' last='Herndon'] scored the best goal I saw all day with a lovely bit of feet in midfield that set up a dribble long dribble to the top of the box where she whacked a great shot off the crossbar and in. Herndon had a great game and had a great battle with MVLA's right back Taylor Belotti who also had a strong showing. [player_tooltip player_id='111255' first='Stella' last='Monberg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='111251' first='Maggie' last='Currie'] connected for a goal with Currie going on a great dribble to set up Monberg for the finish.   The showcase game was extremely fun. From the East team Mekenze Rogers was the biggest standout. She is so fast and silky with the ball. She's also a lefty which makes things even more difficult to defend for opponents. She reminds me a lot of Crystal Dunn. Marin Kotschau won the player of the match for the west and I think it was well deserved. She's a tenacious player with a ton of upside.

Day 2 here in Phoenix started at 8am with the day's first round of games and it ended at 8pm with the East VS West showcase. So bear with me I'm a little tired so I apologize in advance for any typos. The Showcase game was a set of players selected by various people within ECNL that featured the top players in the 2008 age group. The atmosphere was absolutely electric with what seemed like every team coming to watch their teammates compete. As well as all college coaches in attendance. It was fun to see and there was some big time talent on display.