ECNL Phoenix – Standout Midfielders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top-level players and up-and-coming players left their mark on the field and put on some memorable performances in the tourney.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to standout midfielders, the ECNL Phoenix showcase had no shortage of such. The players from the 2028 and 2029 classes were on hand to either make a name for themselves or to solidify their top-level rankings, with hopes of becoming a rankings riser. These players laid it all out on the field and left nothing behind. They played with such intensity that scouts clearly had them on their “must-watch” list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the teams came in with impressive records, while others used this tourney as a springboard in hopes of getting their team eligible for the national playoffs. Whichever the case may be, here are the players and their teams' results at ECNL Phoenix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL'] G10 - Tourney Record of 2-0-1 (won [program_tooltip program_id='280776' first='Eagles' last='SC'] 3-0, tied LAFC SoCal 1-1, and won SoCal Blues 2-0) - Overall Record of 14-4-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] - Tourney Record of 2-1 (won Connecticut FC United 4-0, lost to [program_tooltip program_id='283257' first='Bay' last='Area Surf'] 2-1, and won La Roca 3-0) - Overall 5-8-5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL G11 - Tourney Record of 2-1 (won PacNW SC 5-0, lost to [program_tooltip program_id='283395' first='Legends' last='FC'] 3-2, and won La Connecticut FC 1-0) - Overall 11-6-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='283443' first='Rebels' last='SC'] ECNL G10 - Tourney Record of 0-3 (Lost to La Roca FC 1-3, lost to Ohio Premier 3-0, and lost to Minnesota Thunder 1-0) - Overall 3-9-5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Featured Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='112156' first='Noa' last='Arhangelsky'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G09 - Midfielder/Defender - #10 in AZ and #5 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='278046' first='Kylie' last='Tang'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G09 - Midfielder/Forward - #53 in the Nation, #17 in AZ and #8 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='268389' first='Kaitlyn' last='Ventura'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL'] G10 - Midfielder - #133 in CA and #37 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Cara Gouveia - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283443' first='Rebels' last='SC'] ECNL G10 - Midfielder/Forward&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='338839' first='Sasha' last='Landsdorf'] - 2029 - [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL G11 - Midfielder/Forward&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highlights: Utah Royals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038086197856358843?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038086197856358843?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highlights: [program_tooltip program_id='283443' first='Rebels' last='SC'] and Ohio Premier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038045363081490703?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2038045363081490703?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='112156' first='Noa' last='Arhangelsky'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G09 - Midfielder/Defender - #10 in AZ and #5 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112156"],"_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-69d5bb3894788"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She was zipping up and down the channel while making runs in the attacking third. Her tenacity and will to break the surf backline were a sight to see. Going up against one of the best teams in the nation at 18-3-0, Arhangelsky didn't back down and made a name for herself at the tourney. Her quickness on the ball and ability to shake off players when making 1v1 challenges are testament to her #10 ranking in AZ and #5 in position. Noa was impressive to say the least, as I've covered this G09 team a lot last season, and it's good to see other players step up and get this team back on track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noa's Highlights: ECNL Phoenix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/narhangelsky/status/1992642606313148523?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/narhangelsky/status/1992642606313148523?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='278046' first='Kylie' last='Tang'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283510' first='Utah' last='Royals FC-AZ'] ECNL G09 - Midfielder/Forward - #53 in the Nation, #17 in AZ and #8 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["278046"],"_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-69d5bb38947f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She played as a box-to-box player, contributing on both ends of the pitch. Kylie found open pockets and was able to deliver quick and precise passes. Her closing in on players attempting runs to the box limited the high-scoring Surf team from making runs down the channel. Kylie is a top-level player in Hawaii and plays for Punahou High School. She is ranked #53 in the nation, #17 in AZ, and #8 in the position. Looking forward to seeing her rise in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kylie's Highlights: ECNL Phoenix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2041666910920831430?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2041666910920831430?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='268389' first='Kaitlyn' last='Ventura'] - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL'] G10 - Midfielder - #133 in CA and #37 in position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268389"],"_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-69d5bb3894846"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's a player I've evaluated a few times before. Each time I see her, she seems to be adding a little more to her game and skillsets. Her ability to read the game is one of her strengths. The box-to-box player can make it happen on both ends of the field. She made some clean tackles on the defense while making quick and decisive combo passes to players in open pockets. Really like the way she stays calm and collective even when competing against some of the best teams in the tourney. She's a player who should have gotten a bunch of looks from scouts, especially as her team went undefeated at 2-0-1 and now posts a 14-4-3 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaitlyn's Highlights: ECNL Phoenix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQu002du002dUODERhW">https://www.instagram.com/p/DQu002du002dUODERhW</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Cara Gouveia - 2028 - [program_tooltip program_id='283443' first='Rebels' last='SC'] ECNL G10 - Midfielder/Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":354635,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cara Gouveia","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Punahou","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283443' first='Rebels' last='SC'] ECNL G10","_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-69d5bb38948ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She showed some flair with the ball at her feet. Getting by defenders with quick turns and cutbacks were some of her key moves. I really liked how she didn't back down when facing players attempting to knock her off feet. Her calm and composed play kept her in the match and put her in a position to give a good showing at ECNL Phoenix. Cara also showed her ability to strike the ball from range. She had a few shots on goal that barely missed the mark, but she is definitely a player who can contribute on the offensive side. Cara plays for Punahou High School, the #2-ranked team in Hawaii and #64-ranked in the nation. She will be a player we will be hearing a lot about, sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cara's Highlights: Fall 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GouveiaCara/status/1981883495170625989?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GouveiaCara/status/1981883495170625989?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='338839' first='Sasha' last='Landsdorf'] - 2029 - [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL G11 - Midfielder/Forward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["338839"],"_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-69d5bf1221838"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She recently was chosen as a Top Five performer for the U18 age group at the COPA Talent ID Day in February 2026. The Menlo freshman is an up-and-coming player who will be getting a lot of attention as she progresses in the sport and gains more recognition. One of her strengths is striking the ball with power and precision. Specializing in set pieces and long-range shots is what sets her apart. Her ability to shake off players while in the attacking third and penalty area will result in more goals to come. It's going to be awesome to see if she and her team can make it to the national playoffs, as the last stretch of the season is going to be crucial in determining their position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sasha's Highlights: ECNL Phoenix</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWc-cMzAr92">https://www.instagram.com/p/DWc-cMzAr92</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->