The future of women’s soccer is being shaped right now on youth fields across the country, where dedication, skill, and passion come together in remarkable young athletes. From the competitive ECNL circuits to national team camps, these players are actively building the foundation for professional dreams. This spotlight features four exceptional GSN Ambassadors who are making waves in Illinois and beyond.
Reese: @soccergirlreece
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Reese is a winger/wingback for the Eclipse Select ECNL team and has played soccer since she was three. She is part of the graduating class of 2030 and is from Naperville, Illinois. Her favorite part of being a winger/wingback is getting to have freedom on the attack while also getting to use her speed on the defense. Reece’s Instagram account produces content featuring both workout and juggling videos that show how she puts in the work with agility and strength training. Along with being an ambassador for GSN, she promotes Salt products, the #1 smell-proof cleat bag. A fun fact about Reese is that she can play with both feet and does not have one dominant foot. Reese has received accolades such as the Golden Boot in 2022 with the Illinois ODP inter-regional roster. In her free time, Reese enjoys hanging out with friends and playing more soccer. In the future, Reece aspires to play collegiate soccer and in the NWSL. After her soccer career, she would like to be a teacher and coach soccer as well.
MeKenzie: @MeKenzie_Star
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Mekenzie is another player who plays with Eclipse Select as an attacking center midfielder. This past spring, she was called up to the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Camp. Mekenzie is committed to playing Division 1 soccer at Michigan State University as part of the class of 2030. She has additionally trained with Gotham FC in their 2nd Team Camp. Mekenzie’s favorite thing about being an attacking center midfielder is how much influence you can have on the game. From connecting passes to creating opportunities and setting the rhythm of the game for your team, she loves being the link from the defense to the forwards. In her free time, Mekenzie enjoys staying active through workouts and bike rides. She also loves cooking, watching good movies, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Additionally, she is a referee and loves watching matches to continue learning about the game. In the future, Mekenzie sees herself playing professionally and representing her country. She hopes to inspire younger players, travel the world, and earn a degree while doing what she loves.
Isabela: @isabelamoreno2011
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Isabela is a Chicago native playing for Kansas City ECNL and BRUFSA Futsal. At nine years old, she was featured in a No Days Off video where she was described by her coach as incredibly strong and wise on the field for her age. She has played with boys’ academy teams, where she was able to refine her speed and on-the-ball touches. Her coaches have said she has an incredible work ethic and dedication to the game. As a left winger, Isabela has said that her favorite part of her position is dribbling down the line. In her free time, she enjoys getting extra touches on the ball or going shopping with her mom. In the future, she has dreams of becoming a professional soccer player or marine biologist. Growing up playing futsal, Isabela shows a promising future in her ability to get out of tight situations with footwork and her speed down the line.
Leigha: @leigha.ghafari
Leigha plays for Elmhurst City Surf Elite in Chicago as a center midfielder. As a center midfielder who can play both attacking and holding positions, she always gets to be in the action of the game, controlling the ball and leading the team in the tempo of the game. Leigha has shared that her favorite player is Mal Swanson of the USWNT. In her free time, she loves to practice piano, hang out with friends, and go to Starbucks. In the future, she would like to play varsity soccer and volleyball in high school and possibly college, but her long-term goal is to become a neurosurgeon. Along with soccer, Leigha excels in volleyball and jiu-jitsu, having podiumed in five out of six jiu-jitsu competitions. Leigha has quick touches on the ball, using pullbacks and cuts to get out of pressure, and has a selflessness on the ball to find players close to goal and pass to them.
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