Texas Forwards to Watch at ECNL Phoenix

<p>The ECNL Girls League is set to host a national event this week, with the city of Phoenix welcoming U16, U17 and U19 teams from all over the country for three days of action between Friday and Sunday.</p>   <p>As many as 206 teams will make the trip to Arizona, and each of them will play three times at the Reach 11 Sports Complex, getting strong competition to assess where they are as the spring season comes to an end.</p>   <p>The state of Texas will account for about 20% of the participating teams, having 21 representatives, with [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283296' first='Classics' last='Elite'], [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'], [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='[program_tooltip program_id='278668' first='Lonestar' last='']' last='SC'], Solar SC, [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'] and Sting Black all making the trip West.</p>   <p>Some promising prospects from the Lone Star State will get on the field over the weekend, and we're introducing them to you before the event starts. With the first kick-offs coming up shortly, we'll now meet the forwards:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Griffin plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='Lonestar' last='SC'] RL G10 RL team that will meet Stanislaus United SC RL, Santa Rosa United and COSC over the weekend in Phoenix. A forward, she has a lot to offer offensively for her team, being capable of contributing in different ways. Griffin has excellent size and plays very well with her back to the goal, shielding the ball efficiently and playing smart first-time passes. She can also be a threat on the wings, using her pace and ability to carry the ball to make it past defenders. Griffin also stands out for her determination in pressing opposing defenders, which sometimes makes her team win the ball in the attacking half.</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/reel/DJSjT6zSwjG/ </div></figure>    <p>Lario and her DKSC G09 team are set to play against Kansas City Athletics, Concorde Fire Premier and Pateadores in the event in Arizona. She can play anywhere in the attack for them, but is probably at her best when used out wide, where her pace and her ability to run at defenders can make more of an impact. Lario is very direct and aggressive on the ball, and can also be dangerous with her ability to make runs behind the backline. The forward also does a great job of getting into the box to get on the end of crosses and finish 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=qn-ZJmAL94E </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hurley is one of the attacking options for the [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'] G08 team that will be tested against Legends FC RL, LV Heat Surf and Pleasanton Rage. A creative and dynamic attacking player, she's typically involved in multiple areas of the team's offense, helping them create and finish chances. She plays centrally, behind a striker, and is very good at combining with the teammates around her and making direct runs on the ball into the box. Hurley doesn't hesitate when she has an opportunity to fire a shot, and is typically very precise with her attempts.</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/leah_hurley7/status/1783135427173507578/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cunningham will lead the line for [program_tooltip program_id='283296' first='Classics' last='Elite'] G08/07 in their matches against San Francisco Elite Academy RL, Concorde Fire Premier and Rebels SC in Phoenix. One of the top forwards in Texas, she's a handful to opposing defenders with her ability to make runs and attack the space. Cunningham is a striker, but an extremely mobile one, who moves everywhere on the final third looking to get on the ball and is very difficult to stop when she gets going. She's excellent at creating chances for her teammates and even better at converting the ones she has. </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/MikaCunningham_/status/1962179747833675909/ </div></figure>

The ECNL Girls League is set to host a national event this week, with the city of Phoenix welcoming U16, U17 and U19 teams from all over the country for three days of action between Friday and Sunday.