ECNL Texas National Event preview

ECNL Texas National Event preview
by Travis Clark
February 12, 2019

A total of 122 teams are heading to Southeast Texas this weekend for the Girls ECNL National Event in the Houston area.

It’s a chance for a variety of age groups to impress scouts and coaches, with U13-U17 squads making the trip.

Below is a look at 14 of the teams of note to keep an eye on as the action begins on Saturday.

Concorde Fire Platinum U13

Younger sides are making the trip to Texas, with 24 Under-13 squads on the travel list and 31 making the trip from Under-14. With 50 goals scored in 12 games and just six conceded, this Concorde Fire side looks intriguing. This weekend’s games are made all the more interesting considering the team hasn’t played since October 28.

Washington Premier U15

The Pacific Northwest sides are just heading into action for the new season. That represents a huge chance for a side like Washington Premier to get off and running at this part of the campaign. They’ll get a test from Southeast/Mid-Atlantic sides, facing Carolina Rapids, NTH Tophat and Carolina Elite SA in Texas.

Connecticut FC U17

The high-quality side from the Northeast is only getting their season started, jumping into action for the first time since their trip to Florida for the National Event there. CFC has a number of impressive players, including Ohio State verbal commit Peyton McNamara, an attacking piece on a well-organized, tough to beat team.

Minnesota Thunder Academy U14

Back in action for the first time since the last weekend of September, Minnesota faces tricky tests against Sting Dallas, March Fit Academy and Concorde Fire Premier. The Thunder were unbeaten in six games prior, posting a 5-0-1 record in three weekends in September. Getting going against tough competition is certainly going to help them prepare for the rest of the season.

TSC Hurricane U16

Undefeated in a very good Texas Conference, the Oklahoma side heads south for the weekend. Competition has been sporadic for this team, though they were in attendance at ECNL Florida. They’ll look to better their results this time around, as they face off against Minnesota Thunder Academy, Crossfire United and Carolina Elite Soccer Academy.

SLSG – MO U17

The Scott Gallagher side at this age group has put together a very solid run of results heading into this weekend’s Texas trip. In fact, this roundup of games against NCFC Youth, TSC Hurricane and Concorde Fire Platinum, represents its final three of the 2018-19 regular season.

Carolina Elite Soccer Academy U15

Unafraid to go toe-to-toe with any opponents in the league, this Carolina side returned to action last weekend with a 1-0 defeat against NCFC Youth. That was the first taste of games since December, and the games against Tampa Bay United, TSC Hurricane and Washington Premier represent their final three of the 2018-19 ECNL regular season.

D’Feeters SC U15

Prior to the winter break for high school, this D’Feeters side was rolling, winning its first seven games of the season. They sit three points behind Sting Dallas in the conference standings, conceding just three times from nine games, the best defensive mark in the Texas Conference at this age group. Their lone defeat of the season came during the team’s trip to ECNL Arizona, and with a shorter trip this time around, will be looking for a good trio of performances.

Colorado Rapids U17

The Rapids have just dropped one game from its 11 matches on the season so far, which included a trip to Arizona at the end of December. Form goes out the window, as this weekend’s trip to Texas represents their return to competitive matches for the first time since ECNL Arizona. Phoenix Rising FC, FC Wisconsin Eclipse and Concorde Fire Premier await.

Mclean Youth Soccer U16

The Virginia high school season draws near, and McLean has been in good form at this age group, winners of seven straight in 2019. That includes three wins from three during the ECNL Event in Florida, an accomplishment that they will replicate this weekend in Texas. Tampa Bay United, Boise Thorns and Tennessee SC are on the docket for the Northern Virginia side.

So Cal Blues U13

Any team at the youngest age group that scores at a rate like this So Cal Blues side is worth noting. They’ve scored 43 and yet to concede in conference play, and they’ll get Sting Dallas, Concore Fire Platinum and NTH Tophat SC.

Concorde Fire Premier U14

The Fire are doing well to show off the club’s depth, running two teams in the Southeast Division and both faring more than decently from a results perspective. Before breaking over the winter, the Premier side leads the Southeast Conference with an overall record of 8-1-1. Like others making the trip, the travel will be a big test heading into action after a long layoff.

Boise Thorns U16

Like other Northwest sides, the Thorns haven’t had a lengthy size of action to judge them upon. Connecticut FC, McLean and Michigan Hawks Black provide the perfect opportunity to see how they matchup against three sides from different parts of the country.

Sting Dallas U17

Sending a team at every age group, Sting Dallas is a quality side that finds itself near the top of the conference with several of its teams. The older age group traveling to Texas sits in first, with just two losses on the season, both out of conference at National Events. They’ll face Minnesota Thunder, McLean and Connecticut.

GSA U15

The end of the regular season approaches for this GSA squad, which sits at 17-2-1 in the Southeast Conference in second place. A 55-goal haul for the campaign is decent, even if they sit behind Concorde Fire Platinum in the standings. Two Texas teams await, AHFC and Sting Dallas, to go with a stiff test against a very good SLSG – MO team.

Related Topics: ECNL, Big Ten
Trending Videos
IMG Academy Top 200/150 Rankings
see full ranking:
Boys Girls