All-Around Midfielders at the Texas Shootout

<p>The club soccer season is entering its final stretch around the country and girls' teams from Texas will have an excellent opportunity to fine-tune their games ahead of the start of the playoffs in their respective leagues this weekend.</p>   <p>One of the most traditional showcases held in the Lone Star State every year, the Texas Shootout will have its 38th edition from Saturday to Monday, at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, in the Austin area.</p>   <p>The tournament organized by [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'] will feature as many as 120 teams from several different leagues, which will play in five different age groups during Memorial Day weekend. Some of the best players in the state will be in action this week, and before the tournament begins, we're taking a look at some of them. Today, we'll get to know the well-rounded midfielders:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">El-Deir plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283624' first='Capital' last='City SC'] G07/06 GA team. An offensive-minded midfielder, she typically plays in the central area of the field for them and gets heavily involved in their chance-creation efforts. El-Deir is very skilled on the ball and quick with her decision-making, using turns and quick moves to beat defenders and create space to initiate runs through the middle. She also has excellent vision and can find good passes in the final third when driving the ball forward, facing the goal, or when operating with her back to it, and connecting with midfielders and wide attackers.</p>   <p><strong><a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/grace.eldeir/soccerwomen/videos/2712215">Highlights</a></strong></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Zukeran is a key player in [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] G08 ECNL's midfield. The captain of the El Salvador youth national team, she has what it takes to pull the strings in the team's offense, taking great care of the ball and intelligently dictating their offensive rhythm. Zukeran is at her best when used in the attacking midfielder role, as she does an excellent job of circulating in the final third and popping up in great spots to find the forward with accurate passes and finish from a distance. She can also play wide, mostly on the left, where she uses her dribbling ability to beat defenders and create chances.</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=CtD_zEw3ZqE </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gotto is set to appear with [program_tooltip program_id='283319' first='Dynamos' last='SC'] RL G09 ECNL. A central midfielder, she is very solid at shielding the team's backline and making a defensive impact on the team. Gotto is very strong physically and uses it to win duels in the center of the field and to dominate in the air, deflecting long passes aimed at opposing forwards. She also displays good quality and vision in possession, often initiating quick transition plays with accurate long passes.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Brundage is a dangerous offensive player for Sting Black G09 ECNL. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or higher up as a forward, she stands out for her vision and quality on the ball. Brundage is very good at creating separation from opposing defenders with her first touch, and a couple of feet of space is all she needs to scan the field to pick and execute lethal passes in the attacking half. She also plays a major role in the team's scoring efforts, displaying calm and composure in front of the goal and being capable of sending the ball into the back of the net from inside or outside the box.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KalaniB_10/status/1905036493384483019 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">King is one of the attacking options in the [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'] ECNL G10 team. She can make a difference for the team playing through the center of the field with her ability to appear in great spots around and inside the penalty box and make plays. King is very difficult to stop when she gets on the ball and makes runs because of how well she uses her body to shield the ball and keep opponents away. She also does a good job of getting into the box to finish chances and is lethal from the penalty kick spot.</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/C8xIV_YPHku/ </div></figure>

The club soccer season is entering its final stretch around the country and girls' teams from Texas will have an excellent opportunity to fine-tune their games ahead of the start of the playoffs in their respective leagues this weekend.