Three Legends Make TopDrawer Soccer's Best XI for ECNL PHX
Jessica Carlton
Tatiana Fung
Ally Lemos
The first ECNL National Event of the season wrapped up on Sunday from the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Arizona. The event featured some of the top clubs in the country, which included some of the top players in the club game.
TopDrawerSoccer’s Best XI from the event is below.
GK Grace Klosinski, LAFC Slammers U19 - Klosinski made a number of quality saves in the second half of the game against Eclipse. She has displayed her instincts as a shot stopper in the past with heroics in penalty kick shootouts. The Arizona commit for 2021 was playing at an equally high level in Phoenix over the weekend.
D Khalia Gathright, So Cal Blues U19 - So Cal Blues recorded a shutout and three wins from the weekend in Phoenix. Gathright was impressive in her competitiveness and intelligence on the field. She shut down attackers with ease and helped start the attack for the Blues. She will be one to watch in the Pac-12 as she is part of the Washington State recruiting class for 2021.
D Cailin Bloom, Davis Legacy U19 - Bloom had a couple of standout moments in the game against LA Breakers. She dominated the center of the field from her spot at center back and completely shut down the oppositions attack. The California commit was a standout from the National Event.
M Korbin Albert, Eclipse Select SC U19 - Albert was a standout for Eclipse during their 2-1 weekend in Phoenix. She is a dynamic play maker as an attacking midfielder. She can be the orchestrator of a potent attack at the never level. She helped Eclipse scored seven goals form the three games. Albert is a verbal commit to the Notre Dame class for 2022.
M Jessica Carlton, Legends FC U19 - Carlton scored an outstanding goal for Legends in the win over Pacific Northwest. She struck the ball perfectly on a shot from over 25 yards out. The Legends squad was full of talent for the next level. Carlton earns the spot for the goal and the terrific workmate in the center of the field. The Brown commit for the class of 2021 is one to watch in the future.
M Macaira Midgley, Michigan Hawks U19 - Midgley made some exquisite passes from the midfield in the games in Phoenix. She is smart in possession and moves well without the ball. The Tennessee committee showed well during the National Event.
M Ellie Walbruch, La Roca FC U19 - Walbruch had an outstanding event. She was a dominant force in the attack for La Roca and scored a number of noteworthy goals from the competition. The UCLA bound talent is going to be a stud for Amanda Cromwell and the Bruins.
M Heather Gilchrist, Colorado Rapids U17 - Gilchrist was a standout on Sunday in Rapids’ battle against Slammers. She scored a terrific goal as she broke free of the defense and took a touch around the goalkeeper for an easy tap-in. She was outstanding in the attack at winger in the game. She has the skill and speed to influence the game at the next level. Florida State landed a top prospect in the Rapids attacker.
F Allison Montoya, MVLA U17 - Montoya was unstoppable in the game against Michigan Hawks. She played on the wing and got to the end line whenever she wanted. She scored and set up goals throughout the weekend. She should do exceptionally well at the next level with the Stanford coaching staff pushing her to reach her potential. She is a verbal commit to the Cardinal recruiting class for 2022.
F Ajanae Respass, Real Colorado Nation U17 - Among the players on this list, Respass has made the largest leap forward in the past year. She has improved her game and become a multidimensional threat in the attack. She was always a dominating presence at center forward, and had the strength to bully the game. She clearly has put in the work to continue to takeover the game even as defenders get bigger and smarter. She showed off her quality in the attacking third with a goal and multiple assists in the game against Slammers Oregon landed a good one with her for the 2022 class. She is a piece to build that program up in the future.
F Degen Miller, Real Colorado U19 - Miller displayed breakaway speed during the Phoenix Showcase, which made her the focal point of the Real Colorado attack. She can get behind defenses and make the most of opportunities. Miller is bound for Virginia at the next level.
Others: Colby Barnett (So Cal Blues), Megan Hutchinson (Eclipse Select), Ella Karolak (Michigan Hawks), Tatiana Fung (Legends), Ally Lemos (Legends)