Five Center Backs Scouts Expect to Break Out in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Texas soccer scene continues to produce some of the best center backs in the country. Below is a scouting report on five of them who are set to break out next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["300505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6954320243499"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alley is the left center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283497' first='Sting' last='Austin'] 2011 ECNL team. She has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past, and continuously impresses to earn an invite back for future events. Her physical stature stands out immediately from watching game film. She's tall and athletic. She is the target on set pieces thanks to that aerial duel prowess. Alley's quality on the ball also stands out from game film. She doesn't force passes. She is comfortable assessing all the options for her next pass and prioritizes keeping possession for her side. She's right footed, but looks good on her left as well. Her playing style reminds me a lot of Texas Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='27192' first='Reese' last='Liner']. She has a similar defensive approach especially with using her towering frame in 50/50 balls in the center of the field. Alley has a ton of potential and will be one of the top center backs candidate to steal the show in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["343816"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6954320243543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coffman is a center back on the Solar 2012 ECNL team. She plays right center back for her club team. She is a fluid runner who can stay step-for-step with any forward in the country. She's eager to have the ball at her feet and likes to operate as a playmaker from the center back spot. The passes and vision she displays in that role suggest she has had some time playing in the midfield as well. She's confident on the ball and quick to make decisions. The Solar 2012 squad puts a lot of faith in the center backs. There is a comfort to let them go 2v2 when in possession as both outside backs like to push forward. There is plenty of reason for this belief in their center backs. Coffman and her fellow center back play off each other well. They are almost linked in anticipating what the other will do so they can cover. Coffman is a smart player who understands the game at a high level. She will be one of the center backs to watch in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214717"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69543202435be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodin is a center back on the Sting Black 2010 ECNL team. She had a spectacular 2025 especially during the postseason run in the North America Cup for her squad. She's been just as good during the Fall Season at the ECNL level. Her Sting Black team has only suffered defeat twice during that part of the season. Goodin has impressed with her defensive instincts and leadership. She's a key fortress of the back line that has only let in more than one goal in one game this season. Goodin does well standing up defenders with her defensive technique and tackling ability. She's also good in retaining possession for her side with her passing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Daniella Fregoso","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69543202436a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fregoso is a five-foot-11 right center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] 2010 ECNL team. She is one of the key parts of the back line that has nine shutouts in 16 games. She is a tremendous athlete - agile, quick, and quick body control. Fregoso is an aggressive defender who uses her height to her advantage. She holds off defenders and uses her long legs to poke the ball away from attacking players. She is a consistent player who brings her best effort to every game. Fregoso has all the tools to be a top recruit in 2028 class, and should be in for a big 2026 with the attention heading her way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mattie Boone","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Sting Royal 2012 ECNL","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695432024376f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boone is a defender on the Sting Royal 2012 ECNL team. She is the right center back for the club team. She is a key part of the defense that is top of the conference heading into 2026. Boone is a do-it-all type of player and she could be one of the players who could be utilized in a different position in the future given her soccer intelligence and skill. Boone is a standout defender and just starting to show her potential as an impact player on the stellar Sting Royal squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->