ECNL Preview + Players to Watch: March 21
It’s another relatively slow weekend in the ECNL with only a handful of clubs in action. Between the five age groups, there are some blockbuster matchups this weekend that could have huge consequences on the postseason standings.
U14
Solar Chelsea SC takes on D’Feeters on Saturday in a crucial Texas Conference showdown. Solar is top of the table in the division and has only lost one game all year. D’Feeters sit in the bottom half, but they kept it close in the previous meeting. Solar only pulled out with a 1-0 win thanks to a tally from Caroline Berutti. Will the rematch be as close?
GSA is in action this weekend with games against Orlando City and West Florida Flames. GSA sits in first place in the Southeast Conference with a 13-1-2 record. The Georgia team has enjoyed a solid balance to the attack this season with five players record six or more goals. The balance helped GSA secure six points from the first meeting of the season between the teams. Can they do it again?
Crossfire Premier, the club that is going to play the most games in March, is in action again this weekend with games against Utah Avalanche and FC Nova on the road. Crossfire is 4-1-3 on the campaign and in need of wins to keep the lead in the division. FC Nova is 2-1-5 and hopeful to close the gap. The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw earlier this year.
U15
Bethesda SC hosts Richmond United on Friday in an exciting8 matchup between two of the top teams from the U15 age group. Richmond is 11-1-4 on the season and has one of the best attacks in the country. Bethesda has been hot out of the gate with a 3-1-1 record and already 12 goals scored. It should be a quality fixture.
The Crossfire Premier trip to Idaho is also a quality matchup in the U15 age group. Crossfire (7-0-1) is first in the national standings at this point of the season. FC Nova (4-2-1) is in 24th place in the national standings. Crossfire’s dynamic attack and abundance of speed helped the team nab a 4-0 win in the first meeting. Can the Seattle club duplicate that on the road on Sunday?
Dallas Texans (11-4-3) hit the road this weekend for a game against TSC Hurricane (5-9-4). Texans sit in second place in the Texas Conference; 10 points back of leaders Solar Chelsea SC. Hurricane sit toward the bottom, but the Oklahoma club held Texans to a 2-2 draw earlier this year.
U16
Pleasanton Rage and MVLA battle on Saturday for Northern California bragging rights. Rage is looking to keep its winning streak going after knocking off Santa Rosa 2-0 last week. MVLA is playing its first game since November, which could lead to some rust after a long break for high school.
Ohio Elite Soccer Academy takes on Indiana Fire Juniors on Saturday in a Ohio Valley Division clash. Ohio Elite is 4-4-1 on the season and trying to close the gap on the top three teams in the division. Indiana Fire 3-2-2 and sitting in the 31st spot in the national standings.
The best matchup of the weekend comes from the Texas Conference where TSC Hurricane, No. 2 in the conference standings, hosts Dallas Texans, the top team in the standings. Hurricane beat Texans 2-1 in the first meeting this season, which is Dallas Texans only conference loss up to this point. Parker Goins had a goal and an assist in the victory that day.
U17
Washington Premier is making the trek to Idaho this weekend for games against FC Nova and Utah Avalanche. Washington Premier (4-1-2) is in second place in the Northwest Conference, but holds an identical record to the division leaders. Paige Lyons leads the team in scoring with four goals in five games.
U18
Ohio Elite and Indiana Fire Juniors square off on Saturday with both eyeing the top spot in the division. Indiana holds a firm grasp on it with a perfect 4-0 record in conference play. Ohio is not far off with a 4-1-1 mark. Saturday’s matchup is the first meeting this season between the teams.
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