Judging by the performance of two young ladies at last month’s adidas ESP event, the greater Milwaukee area is a production line for top-notch central defenders.

Brittany Von Rueden (2012) and Amy Kauffung (2011) are among the top recruits in their respective age groups and both were in fine form at the elite recruiting event held in Southern California. The two are friends off the field and have similarly outstanding qualities on it, but do not play on the same FC Milwaukee club team most of the time, as Von Rueden plays for Tony Wright’s U16 squad and Kauffung runs out for Billy Solberg’s U17 squad that includes other top players such as Emily Jacobson, Cara Jacobson and Kate Reigle.

But the pair were often mentioned together in the comments of college coaches attending the event, and always in very positive terms.

Kauffung is a more recent convert to the central defender position, and her attacking background shows. While club soccer has its share of outside backs who can get involved in the attack, Kauffung is a rare figure who will get involved from the center of the backline. She is comfortable enough with her ability on the ball to take advantage of the opportunity to make a surging run through the middle of the park.

“When I was younger I played more of a midfield position. Once I came over to FC Milwaukee, I started playing more in a defensive role. From there my coaches helped me realize when it was OK to go up and when I needed to stay back. You just have to make sure you know when to attack, to make sure if you are the last defender that you don’t get the ball taken away.”

Kauffung and Von Rueden played on a spring combination team at FC Milwaukee last year, and Kauffung recently returned from a trip to Portugal with the Region II ODP 92s. But Amy has opted to play with her high school team this spring. She makes no bones about the fact that her motivations aren’t so much to do with soccer excellence.

“I wanted a different experience. I wanted a more social experience,” she said. “I know it’s not the level I’m used to playing in club but I wanted to try it, so I do have to keep up on my own and make sure I get enough touches on the ball and stay in shape. Hopefully I’ll be ready when we come back for club (in May).”

Von Rueden recently returned from a different sort of alternative to her club team, as she joined the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II ODP ’93 team on a trip to Holland where they played Dutch and Belgian youth national teams.

“It was a great learning experience and we had some tough games,” she said. “It was good to play against different styles of play. They tried to possess it more in midfield where our club team plays against a lot of teams who just try to kick it long and run after it. These teams used their backs pretty well and really moved the ball better than we are used to.”

Von Rueden also has shown a willingness to get involved in the attack, and said it is a product of the club’s teaching program.

“Through our club we’re taught if it’s not on to go forward, don’t force it. Just keep it if it’s not on and swing it around the back. If we can switch it faster we can give their defense a lot of problems. I think a lot of times just try to force it in and that doesn’t work against good teams.”

Both players were open to the idea of someday playing at the same college, but both added they are keeping an open mind even as the offers come flooding in. The two are also keen admirers of one another as players.

“We’ve played center back together on the spring team and we train together sometimes,” Von Rueden said. “Amy is really good. As a center back to have that ability to go forward and feel confident to take people on is great. She’s technically very good and has a good understanding of the game.”

Kauffung made similar comments about Von Rueden.

“Brittany is a great player. We bond well on and off the field. She’s such a goofball and so much fun,” Kauffung said. “She’s a leader too. She forces other players to step up and play well.”