Players To Watch: ECNL Boys 2023 Las Vegas National Event

The final ECNL Boys National Event of 2023 is set to begin, with ECNL Las Vegas taking place from December 15-17 in Henderson, Nevada.

ECNL Las Vegas will feature 160 teams from across the league’s U15-U18/U19 age groups. To view the schedule for ECNL Vegas, click here.

Ahead of the weekend’s action, here are some players to know from this year’s event. Players are listed according to their graduation year.

You can nominate also nominate a player who has stood out this season that will be attending the event through the following link.

2027

Kade Taylor | Midfielder
Albion Hurricanes 09 (TX)

Made the jump to the ECNL for Albion after playing in MLS Next for multiple seasons and has made an immediate impact. Operating as either a winger or in the fullback position, Taylor can make the key interception and immediately push the Hurricanes into an attacking mindset.

2026

Love playing @BishopGormanHS – Thank you coaches and NIAA – Proud to be Offensive Player of Year, All State, All League and Academic All State. Counting days til next fall boys. 2 more years to grab another ? Let’s go Gaels. pic.twitter.com/YveWVrKnlN

— VegasChase2026 Chase Stewart – Class of 2026 (@VegasChase2026) December 5, 2023

———————

Dalziel Ozuna | Forward
San Antonio FC Pro Academy 07 (TX)

Called up to the USYNT U15 National Team Camp in April, Ozuna made his professional debut for San Antonio FC’s USL Championship team this past August. After connecting on a pass, he can immediately turn on the burners and directly take on defenders. He can also place his shots in the corners of the goal, giving goalkeepers little chance to stop them.

Youngest debut in SAFC history ✅
1st USYNT U15 training camp ✅

.@SAFCProAcademy product Dalziel Ozuna has had some exciting opportunities this year. ?#Defend210 | #OurClub pic.twitter.com/GJAA6MH7PA

— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) August 26, 2023

———————

Zachary Khorrami | Goalkeeper
Crossfire Premier 1 08 (WA)

Earned nine shutouts in Northwest Conference play this fall, not allowing a single goal in any of Crossfire’s matches. Khorrami has excellent footwork and technique and can use his body on dives to ensure that the opposition’s shot is either saved or deflected out of danger. He can also pick out his teammates on the wings with a long throw or punt, jumpstarting the counter-attack.

2025

Austin Chavarria-Flores | Forward
Concorde Fire Platinum 07 (GA)

Earned All-American honors last season after scoring 25 goals and tallying 11 assists for Concorde, leading the Georgia-based team to a National Playoff Appearance. His marksmanship towards goal has once again been on point this season, leading the Platinum attack to a Southeastern Conference best 56 goals.

———————

Dylan Drendel | Midfielder
Eclipse Select SC 07 (IL)

Operating out of the center midfield position last season, Drendel led Eclipse to a second placing showing at the ECNL National Championships. His patience on the ball and ability to retain for long periods of time helped organize his team all season and retain their shape even while under pressure. For his efforts, he was named to the All-American Team last season.

———————

Brandon Graham | Forward
NTH-NASA 07 (GA)

Scored both goals in NASA’s Elite Eight playoff match last year, doing everything he can to push his team into the semifinals. For his efforts, he was an All-American team member and First Team All-Southeast Conference last season. He possesses a hammer of a left foot and can use it to either drill shots on target or lay off and deliver a diagonal pass to a teammate out on the wing.

———————

Ethan Manzella | Midfielder
NTH-NASA 07 (GA)

Working alongside Graham, Manzella has formed a potent 1-2 partnership on the attack for NASA. Whether creating chances for his teammates or for himself, Manzella has a nose for goal or sometimes a head. He can make the small movements off of the ball while avoiding detection from the defense, in the end giving himself space to capitalize on.

Slo-mo makes every goal better #AlwaysBeMore

?: @ethanmanzella07 pic.twitter.com/CtQkK9xdOS

— ECNL Boys (@ECNLboys) November 30, 2023

———————

Ballack Villasana | Midfielder
San Antonio City 07 (TX)

Received ECNL Texas All-Conference First Team honors last season for San Antonio City SC. He has followed up with an equally impressive effort this season, scoring six goals and adding an assist. He has also previously trialed with Club America Fuerza Basicas and Austin FC Academy.

2024

Caleb Centeno | Midfielder
FC Dallas Red 06/05 (TX)

The reigning ECNL Texas All-Conference Player of the Year, Centeno has followed up a strong 2022-2023 season with an equally impressive effort, galvanizing the Dallas attack to 23 goals in Conference play. Centeno’s ball control is always tight and consistent and he can find teammates with precision passes on a variety of speeds.

———————

Alvaro Alanis | Midfielder
Eclipse Select SC 06/05 (IL)

Last season’s U17 Midwest Conference Player of the Year, Alanis enters this season’s campaign in fine form. For Marmion Academy, Alanis just racked up Chicago Catholic League, IHSSCA All-Sectional Team and IHSSCA All-Sectional All-Academic Team honors. The uncommitted striker can make the small cuts in tight space against defenders that forces them out of position and provides him with space to attack.

———————

Bryan Beck | Defender
Solar SC Academy 06/05 (TX)

Provides consistent defensive coverage out of the left-back position for Solar’s U19 roster. Thanks in part to his efforts to stem the opposition’s counter-attacks, Solar has allowed just twelve goals in Texas Conference play, tied for the lowest among all 06/05 teams. He can also lend his hand at the attack, providing service into the box for his teammates and hitting a hard shot from distance.

Bryan launched this rocket from outer space! What a goal! ?? @SolarSoccerClub

?: @BryanBeck_2005pic.twitter.com/7AuE8hvKdm

— ECNL Boys (@ECNLboys) November 8, 2023

2023

Ryan Clanton-Pimentel | Right Back-Midfielder
Lonestar SC Red 06/05 (TX)

Buried his penalty kick opportunity at last week’s ECNL South Carolina to give Lonestar Red the 1-0 win over Charlotte Independence. Clanton-Pimentel’s calm and coolness under pressure carries over to his service to his teammates. In last week’s 3-0 win over San Antonio FC Pro Academy, her assisted on two of their three goals. He also participated in the ECNL National Selection Game in South Carolina.