Players That Impressed: ECNL Boys 2023 Texas National Event

This weekend saw 141 of the top U15-U17 ECNL Boys teams travel deep in the heart of Texas to Round Rock for the ECNL Boys Texas National Event.

SoccerWire is currently seeking Players That Impressed nominations from the competition. Coaches, parents and athletes are invited to submit nominations for up to two (2) players per team, highlighting standout performances from the event.

[Submit Your ‘Players That Impressed’]

Here are some of the top performers from the ECNL Boys Showcase, sorted by graduation year.

2026

Owen Shore | Winger/Left-Back
LA Breakers FC 07 (CA)

Hit a thunderbolt of a shot from distance to help the Breakers secure a 2-2 draw against the B-Elite Soccer Academy of Denver. Shore possesses boundless energy and can open defenses using at both winger positions. On the defensive side, he can stem counter-attacks with his work off of the ball, making precise track backs to limit an opponents space.

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Alex Afonso | Midfielder
BVB IA 08 (TX)

Scored a goal in all three games. Created chances down the wing. Got in the right spaces to score. Endurance was phenomenal. Game IQ was brilliant, could see the pitch very well. Very technical with the ball. Knows where to be on the field at all times.

2025 

Matthew Rodriguez | Midfielder
Albion Hurricanes 07 (TX)

Bagged three goals over the weekend to lift Albion to an undefeated record (2-0-1, 7 points). The numbers seven works well at both in the attacking midfield and in the striker position and can create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates just as easily as he can from himself.

https://twitter.com/matt_rod2025/status/1650320815215214593

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Lennon Kindred | Midfielder
FC Dallas Youth 07 (TX)

Netted a brace for the West in the ECNL National Selection Game on Saturday to lift the side to 3-0 win. With both goals he showed remarkable poise (his second goal came off of a penalty kick) and made excellent timely runs off of the ball to create space.

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Ramiro Garza | Forward
San Antonio City 07 (TX)

Polished off a high curling corner kick from Rodrigo Galvan with a sensational right-footed shot to give San Antonio the win over El Camino Football Club. He has been on fire for both his club side San Antonio City (where he scored a goal at the Dallas Cup earlier in the month) and for his high school Veterans. His tight movements both on and off of the ball make him a difficult attacker to break down. That he can shoot from both short and long distances with a high level of accuracy makes him even more dangerous.

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Cody Smith |Midfielder/Forward
San Antonio City 07 (TX)

Was a major contributor for San Antonio all weekend on the attacking side of the pitch, scoring a goal and adding an assist in their 1-0 win over Sporting California and their 5-2 win over COSC. He can make quick decisions with the ball at this feet and always seems to find the right amount of space to create a goal-scoring opportunity.

2024

Colin McKenna | Midfielder
Snohomish United 06 (WA)

Scored two key goals to help lift Snohomish to an undefeated record over the weekend (2-0-1, 7 points). The right-footed midfielder makes expert, darting runs at goal and can take on defenders with both pace and poise. He is also comfortable at making both the final pass or the decisive shot.

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Aidan Ahmad and Jack O’Donnell | Goalkeeper
Mustang SC 06 (CA)

The goalkeeping duo earned three shutouts over the weekend to help lift Mustang SC to the top of the 2006 standings. Both goalkeepers possess an excellent blend of athleticism and leadership that has helped lift their club side to the top of the ECNL Nor Cal standings (12-3-5, 41 points).

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Alexis Cervantes | Forward
MVLA Soccer Club 06 (CA)

Scored the third and final goal for the West in their 3-0 win over the East in the National Selection Game, an excellent effort set up by a strong run off of the ball. He possesses boundless speed but can also use his strength to drive at defenders and is unafraid to take a foul.

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Evan Mayhaw | Goalkeeper
Dallas Texans 06 (TX)

Made several key stops to help the Texans earn a critical 0-0 draw against Snohomish United in their showcase opener. Beyond his athleticism, he is also a natural leader and as captain runs a tightly-organized defense.

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Gabriel Romanenko | Defender
LA Breakers FC 06 (CA)

Captained his LA Breakers team in a thrilling goalless game against Houston Dynamo. He is a natural leader and is the core to a tightly-organized defense that shut out a vibrant Houston attack. He is composed on the ball and brings great energy on the field, even having a goal line clearance in the game.