Setting the Standard: Virginia’s 2030 Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer state ranking for the Virginia 2030 class will be released this week. Prior to the release of the update ranking, check out a scouting report on some of the standout defenders (and midfielders) from this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["347846"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aea493448da8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart plays outside back on the [program_tooltip program_id='283514' first='VDA' last=''] U15 (2011/2012) ECNL team. She plays left back for her club side. She has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She's also taken part in Gotham FC scouting events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart is a talent with a lot of potential. She's got pace for days and skill to back it up. She's a quality player on the ball and helps her team in the build-out. She does well with her first touch under pressure and she has a good read on the game. She looks like she can play at a faster pace in possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, she's got the quick feet and positioning to be a lock-down outside back. To elevate her game for the next level, she needs to get more comfortable getting into the tackle and playing with an edge. She's a bit passive with her delay tactics at times. Considering the talent at center back on this team, it would be nice to see her gamble a bit more in jumping into passing lanes or playing tighter on the winger when the situation is available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["351005"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aea493448dde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fitzpatrick is a defensive midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='281469' first='Arlington' last='SA'] U15 ECNL team. She is listed as a defender/midfielder on her player profile. She can play a variety of spots on the field. She's a tall player in the center of the field who controls the play. She is a smart player who is always in the right spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fitzpatrick is right footed with an excellent passing range. She's been a valuable piece of the puzzle for [program_tooltip program_id='281469' first='Arlington' last='SA']. Her ability to spring the attack with her cross field pass keeps the defense honest and opens up the attack for her side. She's also an eager defender and will throw her body into a duel in the open field. Fitzpatrick has the instincts of a player bound for the higher levels of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416949"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aea493448e02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is a center back on the [program_tooltip program_id='281469' first='Arlington' last='SA'] U15 ECNL team. She plays left center back for her club team. She was part of the recent US Soccer Talent ID center event. She's also been id2 National Selection camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is an elite athlete, incredible 1v1 defender, and smart player on the ball. She's been a standout on every field she's been on. She's a rare two-foot player. She will hit a pass with the same confidence with either foot. She's capable of breaking the press with that ability to get either direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416985"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aea493448e22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saavedra is a midfielder on her player profile, but she's been playing center back for her club side this season. She's one of the standouts on the [program_tooltip program_id='281469' first='Arlington' last='SA'] U15 ECNL team. She plays right center back for her team. She's a stellar pair with [player_tooltip player_id='416949' first='Jackie' last='Williams']. They both are comfortable on the ball and look they have the instincts of a midfielder in the role. They also do a good job organizing with each other and keeping the rest of the defense in the right spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saavedra was recently part of the US Soccer Talent ID event as well. She has that enticing elite upside as a defender and also as a modern center back with her passing. She's a talent to know from this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["417976"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aea493448e42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watson is a midfielder on the [program_tooltip program_id='416940' first='NVA' last=''] U15 Girls Academy team. She was outstanding in recent games. She's always in the right spot to make the interception or put in the tackle. Her intelligent play helped her squad secure back-to-back victories against two of the top teams in the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watson is a dynamic playmaker in the No. 6 role who makes good decisions on the ball and can progress the ball up the field off the dribble. Watson has impressed with her play in the center of the field at the Girls Academy level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->