USYS Nationals: Philly Area Girls Standouts Day 1

The U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships kicked off in Orlando, Florida on Monday and with several of the games being streamed I was able to watch some Philly area teams play. Here are some of the girls that stood out in the games that were streamed live on Monday.   Emma Wasilewski, Midfielder, Penn FC Youth 2008 Emma was serving balls in from midfield threatening the United PDX back line throughout the day but her ball to Clara Webb just before halftime was the best of the bunch. Hitting Webb in stride on a dime, Webb was able to outrun two defenders and slot home the game’s only goal.   Clara Webb, Forward, Penn FC Youth 2008 Webb played the role of hero on the day with her game-winning goal which was harder than it looked. Yes, it was a perfectly played ball in stride but she had to beat two defenders on her heels and the keeper coming off her line. Though she didn’t see a ton of the ball on the day, her smooth finish was deserving of the game-winner.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/mattralph_tbg/status/1549427894904098819?s=21&t=hHPgZpZOfmeEDKlg3eAbWA </div></figure>   Erika Murphy, Midfielder, Penn FC Youth 2008 Murphy did a great job for Penn FC breaking up plays in the middle of the park and keeping United PDX off balance. Her strong play helped retain possession and also start a few promising counter attacks.      <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/7Z3A3967-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51339" width="373" height="249"/><figcaption>Jaden Aaronson</figcaption></figure>   Jaden Aaronson, Midfielder, Real Jersey FC 2006 Perhaps the most famous name of anyone playing in Orlando this week, the younger sister of Leeds United midfielder Brenden and Philadelphia Union midfielder Paxten showed early why she is a talent on the women’s side of the game. Jaden’s ability to penetrate the defense, break lines with her passing and do damage in tight spaces was all on display as she helped open the scoring against FC Revolution. Aaronson played the ball in behind to Morgan Kotch, who backheeled it and got it to bounce off a Revolution defender before falling to Ailyn Rowe.    Ailyn Rowe, Midfielder, Real Jersey FC 2006 Rowe had the goal but also started the play to open things up early for Real Jersey. She picked off a goal kick played the ball to Aaronson and ended up on the end of it with a ball placed into the corner of the net. Rowe was also a strong presence in the middle of the park on the defensive side of things, limiting Revolution’s ability to penetrate centrally.   Ava Sallee, Defender, FC Revolution 2006 Defenders sometimes have to get on the score sheet to get noticed in these national competitions, but Sallee breaking lines with her left foot caught my attention early in the game against Real Jersey FC. Playing down the left side, Sallee was smooth on the ball and aggressive when she needed to be against a very strong attacking side in Real Jersey FC.    Payton Quinones, Midfielder, Lower Merion Impact 2006 Quinones isn’t necessarily known for her offense but added a goal on a strong run forward to her defensive midfield duties on the day. On the play she was able to cut through three defenders and loft a ball up over the Cincinnati United goalkeeper. Lower Merion wasn’t able to keep the lead but settled for a 1-1 draw on opening day.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/07/6N4A4320-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-51340" width="-1805" height="-1203"/><figcaption>Jamie Swartz</figcaption></figure>   Jamie Swartz, Midfielder, Penn FC Youth 2004 Swartz was solid for the defending national champions on both ends of the field in their first game, which ended in a 1-0 win over Team Chicago SC. She had a rocketed shot saved by the Chicago keeper, broke up plays going the other way and was involved in the build-up to the play that led to a handball in the box.    Katelyn Economopolous, Midfielder, Penn FC Youth 2004 Penalty kicks aren’t often regarded as highly as goals from open play but the PK Katelyn took late in the second half came with plenty of pressure. It was an unorthodox run-up but she buried it for the game’s only goal with both of her sisters there to celebrate with her.    Alex Murphy, Forward, Penn FC Youth 2004 Coming off a summer playing in the USL W-League with Eagle FC, Murphy showed once again how vital she is to this team, creating as she so often does down the left flank. Her move to shake a defender and send a cross in to [player_tooltip player_id="25699" first="Ashley" last="Economopoulos"] led to the handball call that set up the game’s only goal.

The U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships kicked off in Orlando, Florida on Monday and with several of the games being streamed I was able to watch some Philly area teams play. Here are some of the girls that stood out in the games that were streamed live on Monday.