ESPNHS Girls' Soccer: Girls Club Soccer News
PDA Showcase ECNL Previews: Under-15 | Under-16 | Under-17
More than 200 teams from across the country head to Zarepath, N.J., this weekend for the annual PDA Showcase, one of the nation’s most esteemed club soccer events. In recent years, the Showcase has taken on new meaning, serving as the final stop for many ECNL teams before June’s playoffs. Forty-four ECNL clubs will send a total of 110 teams to this year’s PDA Showcase and the results will have major implications on which teams makes the playoffs in their respective age groups.
ESPNHS breaks down the teams to watch, the players to watch, and the matches to watch at U17 this weekend in New Jersey.
More than 200 teams from across the country head to Zarepath, N.J., this weekend for the annual PDA Showcase, one of the nation’s most esteemed club soccer events. In recent years, the Showcase has taken on new meaning, serving as the final stop for many ECNL teams before June’s playoffs. Forty-four ECNL clubs will send a total of 110 teams to this year’s PDA Showcase and the results will have major implications on which teams makes the playoffs in their respective age groups.
ESPNHS breaks down the teams to watch, the players to watch, and the matches to watch at U17 this weekend in New Jersey.
PDA Showcase ECNL Previews: Under-15 | Under-16 | Under-17
More than 200 teams from across the country head to Zarepath, N.J., this weekend for the annual PDA Showcase, one of the nation’s most esteemed club soccer events. In recent years, the Showcase has taken on new meaning, serving as the final stop for many ECNL teams before June’s playoffs. Forty-four ECNL clubs will send a total of 110 teams to this year’s PDA Showcase and the results will have major implications on which teams makes the playoffs in their respective age groups.
ESPNHS breaks down the teams to watch, the players to watch, and the matches to watch at U16 this weekend in New Jersey.
More than 200 teams from across the country head to Zarepath, N.J., this weekend for the annual PDA Showcase, one of the nation’s most esteemed club soccer events. In recent years, the Showcase has taken on new meaning, serving as the final stop for many ECNL teams before June’s playoffs. Forty-four ECNL clubs will send a total of 110 teams to this year’s PDA Showcase and the results will have major implications on which teams makes the playoffs in their respective age groups.
ESPNHS breaks down the teams to watch, the players to watch, and the matches to watch at U16 this weekend in New Jersey.
PDA Showcase ECNL Previews: Under-15 | Under-16 | Under-17
More than 200 teams from across the country head to Zarepath, N.J., this weekend for the annual PDA Showcase, one of the nation’s most esteemed club soccer events. In recent years, the Showcase has taken on new meaning, serving as the final stop for many ECNL teams before June’s playoffs. Forty-four ECNL clubs will send a total of 110 teams to this year’s PDA Showcase and the results will have major implications on which teams makes the playoffs in their respective age groups.
The U15 age group only includes about half as many teams as the older groups, but ESPNHS breaks down the teams to watch, the players to watch, and the matches to watch at U15 this weekend in New Jersey.
More than 200 teams from across the country head to Zarepath, N.J., this weekend for the annual PDA Showcase, one of the nation’s most esteemed club soccer events. In recent years, the Showcase has taken on new meaning, serving as the final stop for many ECNL teams before June’s playoffs. Forty-four ECNL clubs will send a total of 110 teams to this year’s PDA Showcase and the results will have major implications on which teams makes the playoffs in their respective age groups.
The U15 age group only includes about half as many teams as the older groups, but ESPNHS breaks down the teams to watch, the players to watch, and the matches to watch at U15 this weekend in New Jersey.
“Merge on to US-78 E towards Birmingham. Drive for 116 miles.”
The Google directions from Georgia Russell’s house to the Birmingham United practice fields are daunting. Anyone less committed or less hard-working would probably turn away immediately.
But not Russell. She crosses state lines at least twice a week to play for Birmingham United. She knows it’s the best competition around, and for the past two years, she’s made the trip to compete at the highest level.
The Google directions from Georgia Russell’s house to the Birmingham United practice fields are daunting. Anyone less committed or less hard-working would probably turn away immediately.
But not Russell. She crosses state lines at least twice a week to play for Birmingham United. She knows it’s the best competition around, and for the past two years, she’s made the trip to compete at the highest level.
Sereno player crosses desert to play soccer
May, 1, 2012
May 1
11:59
PM ET
By Chris Ackels | ESPN.com
Of all the athletes across the country who travel long distances to play for their club teams, Meg O’Brien has to deal with a little something extra.
O’Brien is from Flagstaff, Ariz., and travels 145 miles each way to play for Phoenix-based Sereno SC. It’s a drive through desert, mountain and valley, and after two-and-a-half hours it puts Meg at the Sereno practice fields.
O’Brien is from Flagstaff, Ariz., and travels 145 miles each way to play for Phoenix-based Sereno SC. It’s a drive through desert, mountain and valley, and after two-and-a-half hours it puts Meg at the Sereno practice fields.
Desire, dad drives KCFC keeper to her goal
May, 1, 2012
May 1
11:59
PM ET
By Chris Ackels | ESPN.com
Courtesy of Allen familyKeighton Allen travels more than two hours each way to play for KCFC.“She looked at me in the eighth grade and said she wanted to play soccer in college.”
Mark Allen is the father of seven children. The oldest, Keighton, is a three-time all-state goalkeeper and the 2010 Catch It Kansas Soccer Player of the Year. And four years ago when Keighton told her dad that she had dreams of collegiate play, he knew it was a reachable goal. He also knew it would take a serious commitment.
“He told me we were going to have to drive a long way for practice,” Keighton says. She responded: “Hey, that’s fine with me.”
And so, a long way they drove. One hundred ninety miles, to be exact. From their home in Wichita, Kan., to the KCFC practice facility in Kansas City. It was the beginning of Keighton’s sophomore year, and it was time to make a move toward her dreams.
Courtesy of the Rayfield FamilyLaura Rayfield (driving) and Laura Moore are rivals in high school, but team up to make the lengthy drive to club practice.Let’s be more specific -- they love singing Glee songs.
Rayfield and Moore carpool to practices and games together for Crossfire Premier, a top-level club based in Redmond, Wash. They both live in Kent, Wash., more than an hour from the Crossfire training and game fields. They make the trip together multiple times a week.
The ECNL National Event this weekend in San Diego features 38 clubs from across the country competing in southern California over three days. In total, 231 matches from across all five age groups make up the fourth national event of the 2011-2012 season.
At U17, we’ll see an early test for a strong squad, a chance to keep an undefeated season alive and a team looking to earn the final ECNL playoff spot. ESPNHS breaks down the featured storylines from this weekend’s games in San Diego.
At U17, we’ll see an early test for a strong squad, a chance to keep an undefeated season alive and a team looking to earn the final ECNL playoff spot. ESPNHS breaks down the featured storylines from this weekend’s games in San Diego.
The ECNL National Event this weekend in San Diego features 38 clubs from across the country competing in southern California over three days. In total, 231 matches from across all five age groups make up the fourth national event of the 2011-2012 season.
At U18, we’ll see a rematch of last year’s championship, a battle for national prominence and a chance to shake up the rankings. ESPNHS breaks down the featured storylines from this weekend’s games in San Diego.
At U18, we’ll see a rematch of last year’s championship, a battle for national prominence and a chance to shake up the rankings. ESPNHS breaks down the featured storylines from this weekend’s games in San Diego.
The ECNL National Event this weekend in San Diego features 38 clubs from across the country competing in southern California over three days. In total, 231 matches from across all five age groups make up the fourth national event of the 2011-2012 season.
In the younger age groups, we’ll see a few first place teams in action, a couple of rivalry games and a long winning streak put to the test. ESPNHS breaks down the featured storylines from this weekend’s games in San Diego.
In the younger age groups, we’ll see a few first place teams in action, a couple of rivalry games and a long winning streak put to the test. ESPNHS breaks down the featured storylines from this weekend’s games in San Diego.
National League: What a day for Legends
March, 26, 2012
Mar 26
10:38
AM ET
By Sheldon Shealer | ESPN.com
US Youth SoccerLegends FC (Calif.) went 6-0-1 through National League Under-15 play to secure a spot in this summer's US Youth Soccer National Championships.Before Sunday’s strong finish, only the Dallas Texans had ever won more than one National League title in a single year -- accomplishing the feat three times:
2010-11: Dallas Texans won U16 Girls and U17 Boys division titles.
2008-09: Dallas Texans won U16 Girls, U17 Girls and U16 Boys titles.
2007-08: Dallas Texans won U15 Girls and U16 Boys titles.
ESPNHS recaps each of the National League age groups following the final round of play this season:
National League: Six titles are on the line
March, 23, 2012
Mar 23
8:40
AM ET
By Sheldon Shealer | ESPN.com
The US Youth Soccer National League wraps up play for the 2012 season this weekend in Las Vegas with six age group titles on the line. Each group winner advances to the US Youth Soccer National Championships this summer.
ESPNHS previews this week's National League's key match-ups:
ESPNHS previews this week's National League's key match-ups:
ECNL adds Florida clubs for 2012-13 season
March, 22, 2012
Mar 22
12:37
PM ET
By Sheldon Shealer | ESPN.com
The Elite Clubs National League announced Thursday the addition of seven clubs for the 2012-13 season, which will include the first programs from Florida. The Florida additions are the Brandon Flames and CFK Krush. The five other newcomers are Albion Hurricane (Texas), Internationals (Ohio), Mountain View Los Altos (Calif.), Santa Rosa United (Calif.) and Texas Rush (Texas). Despite being one of the nation's largest states in terms of population and volume of college-bound players, Florida has never had an ECNL club.
IDing the top 11 from the Dallas PDP event
March, 14, 2012
Mar 14
9:01
AM ET
By Chris Ackels | ESPN.com
The ECNL/id2 Player Development Program is designed to identify top players in each region and gather those players for a weekend training and developmental camp. Throughout the spring, the ECNL and US Club Soccer are sponsoring 10 ECNL/id2 Player Development Program weekends across the country, inviting players from nearby clubs.
Players from all eight clubs in the ECNL Texas Conference took part last weekend’s PDP event at the FC Dallas complex in Frisco, Texas.
ESPNHS spoke with a few of the coaches who helped make it all happen after the event to find 11 players who stood out this weekend. Players are listed with club and high school.
Midfielders
Katie Gernsbacher, Lonestar, McCallum (Austin, Texas)
Coaches say: “Katie was one of the most versatile players we worked with this weekend. She’s really active, and seemed to always be around the ball. Attacking, defending, and communicating, she’s a great midfielder.”
Class of 2013
Lindsey Meyer, Dallas Texans, Coppell (Coppell, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s tall, and she’s just a ball winner. She controls everything in the middle. She has great presence in the midfield, and she can really be dangerous on the dribble.”
Class of 2012 – Signed with Texas
Ashley York, D’Feeters, MacArthur (Irving, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a very dynamic player in the central midfield, always buzzing around. She really stood out as a top midfielder this weekend.”
Class of 2013 – Verbally committed to Baylor
Katie Uhler, Lonestar, St. Mary’s Hall (San Antonio, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a very strong player, and not afraid to play physically. She defended well, and turned out to be very active on the pitch.”
Class of 2014
Forwards
Joanna Robertson, Challenge, Collins (Klein, Texas)
Coaches say: “She played a bit of midfield and forward, and really has the ability to do both very well. She showed herself to be a very versatile player.”
Class of 2013 – Verbally committed to Oklahoma State
Alli Murphy, D’Feeters, Plano (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s technically a very solid attacking midfielder, but basically plays like a forward. Just solid all the way around.”
Class of 2012 – Signed with Texas Tech
Emily Bates, Dallas Texans, Melissa (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s probably the best all around attacking player in the area. She plays all facets of the game well.”
Class of 2015
Defenders
Alexis Urch, Lonestar, Round Rock (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s really everything you want in a center back. She can shut down to most dynamic kids, and does a great job cleaning up everything in the area.”
Class of 2014
Meagan McCullough, Dallas Sting, Rowlett (Texas)
Coaches say: “When Meagan is on the pitch, she’s probably the most dangerous and dynamic player coming out of the back. She’s a defender who really helps your offense and midfield out.”
Class of 2013 – Committed to Texas Tech
Chelsea Surpris, Dallas Sting, Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a freshman, but she didn’t look like it this weekend. She played right back, did a really solid job of shutting down some very dynamic players, and also did a great job of getting forward at the right times.”
Class of 2015
Gabby Deleon, Dallas Sting, Rowlett (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a big time ball winner and she shuts down everything back there. She’s also a great passer out of the back, and rarely ever gives up the ball.”
Class of 2014
Players from all eight clubs in the ECNL Texas Conference took part last weekend’s PDP event at the FC Dallas complex in Frisco, Texas.
ESPNHS spoke with a few of the coaches who helped make it all happen after the event to find 11 players who stood out this weekend. Players are listed with club and high school.
Midfielders
Katie Gernsbacher, Lonestar, McCallum (Austin, Texas)
Coaches say: “Katie was one of the most versatile players we worked with this weekend. She’s really active, and seemed to always be around the ball. Attacking, defending, and communicating, she’s a great midfielder.”
Class of 2013
Lindsey Meyer, Dallas Texans, Coppell (Coppell, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s tall, and she’s just a ball winner. She controls everything in the middle. She has great presence in the midfield, and she can really be dangerous on the dribble.”
Class of 2012 – Signed with Texas
Ashley York, D’Feeters, MacArthur (Irving, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a very dynamic player in the central midfield, always buzzing around. She really stood out as a top midfielder this weekend.”
Class of 2013 – Verbally committed to Baylor
Katie Uhler, Lonestar, St. Mary’s Hall (San Antonio, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a very strong player, and not afraid to play physically. She defended well, and turned out to be very active on the pitch.”
Class of 2014
Forwards
Joanna Robertson, Challenge, Collins (Klein, Texas)
Coaches say: “She played a bit of midfield and forward, and really has the ability to do both very well. She showed herself to be a very versatile player.”
Class of 2013 – Verbally committed to Oklahoma State
Alli Murphy, D’Feeters, Plano (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s technically a very solid attacking midfielder, but basically plays like a forward. Just solid all the way around.”
Class of 2012 – Signed with Texas Tech
Emily Bates, Dallas Texans, Melissa (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s probably the best all around attacking player in the area. She plays all facets of the game well.”
Class of 2015
Defenders
Alexis Urch, Lonestar, Round Rock (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s really everything you want in a center back. She can shut down to most dynamic kids, and does a great job cleaning up everything in the area.”
Class of 2014
Meagan McCullough, Dallas Sting, Rowlett (Texas)
Coaches say: “When Meagan is on the pitch, she’s probably the most dangerous and dynamic player coming out of the back. She’s a defender who really helps your offense and midfield out.”
Class of 2013 – Committed to Texas Tech
Chelsea Surpris, Dallas Sting, Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth, Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a freshman, but she didn’t look like it this weekend. She played right back, did a really solid job of shutting down some very dynamic players, and also did a great job of getting forward at the right times.”
Class of 2015
Gabby Deleon, Dallas Sting, Rowlett (Texas)
Coaches say: “She’s a big time ball winner and she shuts down everything back there. She’s also a great passer out of the back, and rarely ever gives up the ball.”
Class of 2014
ECNL action heats up in San Antonio
February, 23, 2012
Feb 23
10:41
AM ET
By Chris Ackels | ESPN.com
Today’s high in San Antonio is 87 degrees.
It won’t be quite that warm this weekend when 36 Elite Clubs National League programs head to the Lone Star State for the league’s third national event for the 2011-12 season. But forecasts call for 60s and 70s this weekend, a welcome break for most soccer players nationwide.
This weekend’s ECNL National Event has too many good games to count. Clubs from all eight conferences will participate in 189 matches, and ESPNHS has done its best to highlight five from each age group to keep an eye on.
It won’t be quite that warm this weekend when 36 Elite Clubs National League programs head to the Lone Star State for the league’s third national event for the 2011-12 season. But forecasts call for 60s and 70s this weekend, a welcome break for most soccer players nationwide.
This weekend’s ECNL National Event has too many good games to count. Clubs from all eight conferences will participate in 189 matches, and ESPNHS has done its best to highlight five from each age group to keep an eye on.