Our annual stop in Chicago always boasts a wide array of talent on the pitch, and this year was no exception. The girls in attendance this year hailed from clubs including Chicago Fire Juniors, Sockers FC, Eclipse and others. Here are some of the players from the event on July 30^th.

 

Interested in playing in front of college coaches and earning a spot on a TDS Unsigned Showcase Best XI list? Check out all of the information on upcoming events.

 

TDS Unsigned Showcase Chicago Girls Best XI:

 

GK, Julia Lentz, Team Chicago (2018): Lentz has a real spring in her step and is able to fly across the goal. She performed well throughout the day, but looked best as a shot stopper. Lentz is somewhat small in stature, but often commanded respect in the box. She has good, quick feet and showed a solid understanding of the position.

D, Caroline Lyman, Chicago Magic PSG (2019): Lyman was the best defender at the event. She is very smart in terms of spacing and providing options for her teammates. Her touch is often clean and opens up pockets of space to play the ball. Not only is Lyman technically sound, she also has a great soccer IQ. Lyman is a player that you want on your back line.

D, Alexis Rosa, Kicks United FC (2018): Rosa has tons of potential. She is an exceptional athlete and understands how to utilize her strengths to her advantage. Rosa has all of the physical attributes and athleticism to excel in the future, but needs to continue to work on the technical and tactical sides of her game to make a true leap forward. She is definitely one to keep an eye on.

D, Sydney Grodsinsky, Vardar (2019): Grodsinsky was one of the hardest workers on the day and covered tons of ground as a central defender. She loves to get forward but has the speed and endurance to recover. Grodsinsky is good in 1v1 defensive situations but needs to work on her communication out of the back to become a well-rounded center back.

D, Isabella Cook, Eclipse Select (IL) (2019): Cook is a young but talented player who truly knows the game. She moves in to smart space and anticipates where attackers are going to move to. As Cook continues to grow, she will look to add more pace and strength to her game in order to move to the next level.

MF, Daena Schuh, Sockers FC (2019): Schuh was one of the top players on the day. She is very good on the ball and has excellent, quick feet. Schuh is deceivingly quick in small spaces and very fast over longer distances. She has a great skill set and showed the ability to finish in and around the box. Schuh has a great head on her shoulders and a high soccer IQ.

MF, Whitney Keever, Michigan Hawks East (2018): Keever is a quality outside midfielder who has a great ability to stretch the field both wide and long. She has decent speed, but utilizes her spacing and runs to smartly move up and down the pitch. On the day, she was the most creative outside midfielder and helped to provide many opportunities for her teammates in and around the box.

MF, Danyelle Hass-Hunter, Omaha Football Club (2017): Hass-Hunter showed an excellent engine and a never-say-die attitude on the day. She does not stop working, but is smart about her movement when not in possession. Hass-Hunter has an ability to read the game and anticipate the spacing that needs to be occupied. The technical side of her game can be improved, but definitely has a solid foundation moving forward.

MF, Alexis Elliott, Sockers FC (2019): Elliott is a skilled player who is always happy to receive the ball at her feet. She knows the game and utilizes how to use her teammates and spacing well. Elliott is very coachable and has the technical side of the game down. As she continues to grow, improve strength and improves stamina, Elliott will be a quality midfield player.

F, Elise Stanley, Eclipse Select (IL) (2020): Stanley has great physical attributes, especially her speed. Her feet are very quick and she is fast in tight spaces. On the ball, Stanley shows a good understanding of how to use her ball to hold off defenders and keep possession. She also has the ability to manipulate the ball and glide past defenders when using her body isn’t the correct option. To improve moving forward, tactical understanding of the position will move her to the next level.

F, Dana Kiszkowski, Elk Grove SC (IL) (2018): Kiszkowski is a good target forward who is very difficult to handle in the box. She is very physical and has good height, which she understands how to use. Kiszkowski showed a good ability to collect the ball at her feet, hold up play, and bring her teammates in to the attack. Not only is Kiszkowski good with her back to goal, she also has a solid shot when she turns and faces goal.

Honorable Mention

GK, Grace Tantillo, Metro East Legacy FC (2018): Tantillo is a smart keeper. She is quick to get down to low shots but needs to work on improving her ability to hold the ball for mid to high shots. Tantillo has good feet when moving across the line, which will be improved by continued fitness and agility work.

D, Sarai Gomez, Chicago Fire Juniors City (2016): Gomez is a defender who is not afraid of receiving the ball; rather she thrives on receiving and playing quick passes away from pressure. Gomez understands the game and position well but needs to work on improving her speed of play to make it at the next level. She always keeps her shape and provides support to her teammates.

D, Emma Tabor, FC Wisconsin Eclipse (2019): Tabor is a gifted athlete who is not only physically talented, but also showed a great ability to read the game. She has good speed in the open field and a very good engine. Tabor is a tall, physical defender that can strike fear in a forwards mind. Tabor also has good foot skills and technique on the ball.

D, Sophia Lenfestey, Junior Irish SC (2021): Lenfestey constantly works hard for her team and never gives up on the play. She showed a good understanding of the flow of the game and had the ability to anticipate and find smart space. She is sneaky in her ability to clog passing lanes and intercept passes. Lenfestey will grow over the next few years to include more physical aspects in her game, but is already a smart player.

MF, Nicolette Elliott, Sockers FC (2021): Elliott was one of the youngest players at the event, but was one of the most skilled. She moves the ball very well and involves each of her teammates in her play. Elliott has a true understanding of the game, far beyond her years. She understands the flow and roles of each player and position.

MF, Arly Escamilla, Chicago Fire Juniors City (2018): Escamilla was a bit quiet on the day and tended to be on the fringes. However, when she gets involved and is on the ball she is a quality player. She has a clean first touch and good technique. In 1v1 situations, Escamilla is dangerous in attack and sound defensively. If she focuses on becoming more involved, Escamilla will make the next step forward.