Rios plays for the Sting Black G10 team that has matches scheduled against Lonestar ‘ last=’SC’] RL G10 Red, New Mexico Soccer Academy G10 and Rise SC G09 in the tournament. She’s a dynamic and skilled attacking player who can play different roles in the attack, bringing quality and goalscoring to her team. Rios is lethal as a center forward but is probably at her best when playing out wide on the left. She’s very good at finding teammates with intelligent passes in the final third and can also create chances for herself with her smart positioning and aggressive dribbling.

She was patient during the buildup and scored easily with a well timed run to get into an open position and finding the right angle to get the ball past the GK. Cynthia also applied high pressure up top, while forcing the Pateadores ‘ last=”] to make errors in the backline. She has a tremendous upside and I can’t wait to see if her team can make it to the national playoffs or to see them in future ECNL events.

Rios featured for the Sting Black side that triumphed in both their matches in the event. She made a difference for them in a 2-0 win over NC Courage, scoring her team’s first goal in the match. Rios was used in the No. 9 role in that match, but didn’t limit her game to getting on the end of plays, instead dropping back and drifting wide to make on the ball and help create chances. She was excellent with her vision, consistently finding teammates in great spots in the final third. Rios did very well in the play in which she scored, getting on the end of a low cross on the back post and timing her run very well to remain onside.

Rios played a few different roles up top for Sting and was very efficient in all of them, showing a solid all-around game. She spent most of the match on the left side of their attack and thrived there, using her technical skills to take on defenders and make plays. She also played more centrally, as a false nine, and fluctuated very well in the final third, popping up in wide spots, running behind the backline and dropping back to operate as an additional playmaker. Rios was very comfortable on the ball and was consistently dangerous in the final third with her vision and quality on the ball.