Spring has sprung, and soccer is in full swing, especially for our youth girls’ leagues. Here are just a few things to look forward to this month!
Girls Academy
Girls Academy hosted the Northwest Talent ID event at the beginning of April and the rosters were stacked. This tournament showcased some of the best 2006-2009 girl players from Northern and Central California. The teams represented included Almaden FC, Clovis Crossfire, Lamorinda SC, Sacramento United, San Francisco Elite Academy, Santa Clara Sporting Club, Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, and West Coast SC.
There will be a lot of talent in these fields and plenty of opportunities for all of them. The intention of this event is to provide elite players with the chance to learn in the classroom and on the field in both practice and game experiences. Select players from Northwest Talent ID will then be invited to Regional and National GA National ID crossover matches throughout the season.
Additionally, the GA Spring Showcase will take place from April 13-17 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
ECNL
ECNL kicked off April with their Continental Tire National Selection Game, and it was a seriously eventful weekend.
Players from all around the country went to Phoenix to face off in a classic East meets West showdown. The day one star was Lizzy Engle of Minnesota Thunder Academy. She netted the first goal for the East in a mad dash from midfield. The West side team came out in a blaze in the second half, and the lead was cut in half thanks to Portland Thorn Academy’s Shaela Bradley.
Defense on both sides was cracking down on any potential goal opportunities, with Sophia King and Kaiya Jota, from FC Stars Blue and LA Breakers, respectively, doing everything they could to keep their lead. While Pacific Northwest FC’s Blayke Warner and San Juan SC’s Izabella Dunik worked overtime to keep the East side from extending their lead.
In the end, the East won the day with celebration from all for a truly killer game. There were stars on both sides from all over the country, and that’s something we all love to see.
The girl’s ECNL will also be welcoming new teams from Texas and Florida into the fold. This is just the beginning of promotions and elevations, and there are sure to be more in the coming months.
DPL
The Development Player League, a league that reaches all over the country, has announced its inaugural tournament, the DPL Open. This is a national championship-style tournament and works as a way for teams outside of the league to make a name for themselves and receive future consideration. It is also an avenue for teams to join DPL’s top competition, the DPL SUMMIT.
These pre-selected teams will be pulled from the U-13 through U-19 teams around the country. Players who earn their spots in this tournament will also be considered for the Player ID Program.
There are a lot of big youth girls soccer tournaments to come in April that will open the door for even bigger things down the road. These organizations and the arenas they are creating open up doors for players across the country. They make it so the best of the best, no matter where they call home, can face off and learn from one another.
Featured image via @ecnlgirls on Instagram
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