BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – First of all, Abby Lutzenkirchen was ranked way too low in our 2012 Girls Top 100, apparently for quite some time.

Secondly, she should be with whatever is the appropriate national team for her age group. I guess right now it would be the U18 WNT, depending on whatever plan U.S. Soccer has for that squad.

Thirdly, what I saw from her in Tuesday’s 1-0 win by the Region III 93s over the U15 Girls National Team is what I don’t see nearly enough of in elite girls soccer these days.

Along with scoring an excellent winning goal just minutes after coming on in the 1st half as a sub for an injured teammate, Lutzenkirchen showed some great qualities in the tactical and technical aspects of the game. Her feet are superb, but her vision, creativity and composure really set her apart as a central midfielder. This is what the women’s game is crying out for. I’ve seen so much kick and rush soccer in three days here at what is supposed to be the crème de la crème of elite girls soccer in this country, I am greatly concerned for our ability to hold onto any level of superiority at the international level.

Understand, I don’t blame the players here. They show they work on their technique. They are good athletes. Many of them are true lion-hearts when it comes to work rate and just never saying die in a competitive sense. But across this country we are failing to produce sophisticated players with the capability to produce team-oriented, passing-heavy attacking soccer – the kind of soccer that is required to beat really good opponents. You can get so far with brute force and athleticism, but only so far.

{mosvideo:350}We’ll talk more about it as the week goes on (and beyond), but I was heartened by a superb midfield display from Lutzenkirchen, who plays club soccer for NASA in the Atlanta area.

Mike Dickey’s U15 GNT took a bit of a pounding in the first half today, losing most of the 50-50 battles to the Region III team which seemed just a little bit quicker on the draw. In the 2nd half the U.S. side did much better and created some good chances to score, but couldn’t get on the board. Other players who did well on the day included Carson Pickett and Emily Sonnett of Region III, and Miranda Freeman, Lauren Kaskie and Zoe Swift of the U15 GNT.

Texas Tech’s Aaron Gordon coaches the Region III 93s and this is what he had to say.

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These teams played today because the squad from Norway, originally scheduled to face the U.S., got pounded 8-0 Sunday night by the Region II 94s, so having them play the U.S. team didn’t seem like such a good idea.

Lineups

Region III 93s
GK: Alyse Scott (Lauren Watson)
D: Taylor Narvaiz, Taylor Schneider, Carson Pickett
M; Heather Magee, Margaret Casscells-Hamby, Madison Smith, Emily Sonnett
F: Taylor Smith, Cherrelle Jarrett
Subs: Sarah Daane, Bryana Gold, Abby Lutzenkirchen, Kelsey Shimmick, Sara Trexler, Cheyna Williams

U.S. U15 GNT
GK: Carissa Miller (Jane Campbell)
D: Maddie Bauer, Jenna Romano, Miranda Freeman, Lauren Kaskie
M: Gabrielle Miranda, Joanna Boyles, Lydia Simmons
F: Rebecca Schoales, Amber Munerlyn, Summer Green
Subs: Zoe Swift, Morgan Andrews, Elizabeth Boon, Betsy Brandon, Rosie DiMartino, Mikaela Harvey, Annia Mejia, Meaghan Mulligan, Gabriela Stoian, Katherine Stratton, Andi Sullivan, Sarah Teegarden

Once again the DI coaches were out in full force watching the action of all the games. Here is a sample walking down half the sideline of one of the games. There are at least twice as many coaches here.

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So many games, and only one set of eyes to watch.  Here are results and a few other highlights of what went on Tuesday.

Region I 93s 0, Region II 93s 0: Region II defender Brittany Von Rueden is solid in the back and in taking free kicks – one of the top 2012 grads still uncommitted. Region II goalkeeper Caroline Stanley of KCFC Alliance is a safe hands goalkeeper with very good technique. Cassandra Pecht of Penn Strikers and Whitney Church of Loudoun Loud were both active in attack.

Region I 94s 1, Region IV 94s 0: Region I got a winner from Lina Granados of McLean Strikers.

Region IV 93s 3, Norway 0: Chrystal Martinez scored twice and Caprice Dydasco once for the westerners.

Region III 94s 4, Region II 1: Anna McClung scored a pair of goals with her head including one top-notch finish from an Allison Wetherington serve. The impressive Gabrielle Seiler and Sophie Groff also scored for the southeastern side. Region II’s goal came from Crystal Thomas.

Here is the Region I 94 team warming up before their match.

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