Missouri/Kansas Rankings Preview: Six 2029s off to Strong Starts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening of the 2026/2027 club season is quickly approaching or already happened for teams all across Missouri and Kansas. Below is a scouting report on six players who impressed from the opening games/friendlies to kick off the campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["385343"],"_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-6a9094decc6e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kohler is a center forward on the St. Louis Development Academy U16 Girls Academy team. She was a standout during the first games of the season. She didn't put her name on the score sheet but she was involved in the play that led to a couple of goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's a good hold-up forward with the vision and close ball control to play with her back to the goal. She's shown the decision-making in the final third to be an elite playmaker from the No. 9 spot. She could improve on her strength on the ball. She has the physical frame to hold off defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kohler is a promising talent from the center forward spot and one to watch this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["321478"],"_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-6a9094decc753"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Calvert is a center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='281812' first='KC' last='Athletics'] U16 ECNL team. She's been a standout for the club for some time. Calvert is comfortable with the ball on either foot. She is an excellent passer and it's a key part of her game. Her quality on the ball is one of the strongest parts of her game. She has a great first touch and a lot of comfort to play out of pressure. She's good at adjusting her positioning to help support her teammates while in possession. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calvert reads the game well and does a good job organizing her defense. She likes to play as the last line of the defense. She's a strong, physical defender who is good at shutting down the opposition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["317162"],"_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-6a9094decc7a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bond has continued to impress with the St. Louis Development Academy U16 GA team. She was invited to the Seattle Reign Pathway to Pro combine over the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's been brilliant in the midfield for her club side at the start of the campaign. The way she sees the game and reads the opposition puts her in the perfect spot to make the play. She's shown the ability to slice apart the opposition off the dribble and pass. She thrives with her ability to make quick decisions on the ball and also improvise. She's been outstanding as a defensive midfielder through the opening weekends of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's got big-time potential thanks to her soccer smarts and quality on the ball. She's one of the top talents in the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386065"],"_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-6a9094decc7ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Griffin is a center back on the St. Louis Development Academy U16 GA team. She plays left center back. She's right footed. She's been a key part of her club team for the past few seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffin is another player off to a strong start to the season. She's got good on-ball skills for a center back. She can play physical with the forward and does well using her body to control the player. She reads the game and times her interceptions with expertise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffin's strength is on the ball as well. She connects passes and plays with her head up. She's got the tools to be a top prospect among the center backs in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386066"],"_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-6a9094decc833"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris is a winger on the St. Louis Development Academy U16 GA team. She was named to the Frontier Conference Talent ID event last season. Harris plays right wing for her club team. She's a dynamic attacking talent. She's good in 1v1 situations when there is space to let her pace win the battle. She can get crowded off the ball by outside backs when she is contained against the touchline. She needs to improve on that aspect to get her game ready for the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a good finisher and makes the run into the box consistently. She could improve on the sharpness of her runs in order to create more space away from the defender. She has the quick twitch athlete instincts that help set her up for chances at the youth level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386087"],"_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-6a9094decc882"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Springfield is a new addition to the [program_tooltip program_id='283382' first='Kansas' last='City Athletics'] 2009/2010 team. She previously played in the Girls Academy. She's an attacking midfielder. She's right footed. She's physical and thrives in contact. She uses her body well in duels to retain possession of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Springfield has looked like she belongs among the elite club players in the ECNL through the first few games of the season. She's got a good soccer brains and an enthusastic competitive drive. She's shown the qualities to suggest she will be making an impact this season for her KCA team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->