Players to Watch: ECNL Boys Fall 2023 Phoenix National Event

The ECNL Boys National Events calendar kicks into high gear with ECNL Phoenix from November 17-19 at Reach 11 Sports Complex. (College Coaches)

ECNL Phoenix will feature 180 teams from across the league’s U15-U18/U19 age groups. To view the schedule for ECNL Phoenix, 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.

2026

Zach Hume | Forward-Midfielder
Crossfire Premier 1 08 (WA)

Named last year’s ECNL U15 Player of the Year, Hume has avoided any notions of a slump by rocketing Crossfire, who are also the defending National Champions in the 2008 age group, to the top of the Northwest Conference (8-0-0, 24 points). On the ball, Hume can make the small, incisive cuts against defenders that lead to major goal-scoring opportunities.

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Timothy Hamp II | Forward
Association FC 08 (CA)

Storming through the Southwest Conference in just their first season of ECNL play, Association FC have made it to the top of the table thanks in part due to the attacking play of Hamp II. The dynamic striker likes to drive at defenders and can force them to immediately back pedal. He can hit strong goal-scoring chances from a variety spots inside and outside of the eighteen yard box.

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Joaquin Martinez | Defender
Beach FC 08 (CA)

Anchors a Beach FC defense that has conceded just five goals in Northwest Conference 2008 play this season (lowest among all teams). Martinez can track back to stem off counter-attacks and give his team the time necessary to reorganize, either through a clear or a professional tackle. He is also more than comfortable with the ball at his feet and can set up attacking chances from the back. Martinez was an ECNL All-American last season and earned Northwest All-Conference First Team honors.

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Jake Basinet | Forward-Midfielder
San Diego Surf 07 (CA)

The reigning U16 ECNL Boys Player of the Year, Basinet a multi-tooled attacker that can create goal-scoring chances for both himself and his teammates with relative ease. He has superb timing on the pitch and can immediately transition into attack mode off of his first touch. Basinet was the chief architect for Surf’s attack last season, leading the team to a National Championship. Surf’s 07s have picked up right where they left off, going undefeated in Southwest Conference play (7-0-2, 23 points) while scoring 30 goals.

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Lukas Ramans | Midfielder
MVLA 08 (CA)

An expert passer with limitless speed, Ramans can immediately move MVLA from a defensive posture to an attacking position. On the counter-attack, he can pick out teammates wide with highly accurate diagonal passes giving his teammates the perfect amount of time to capitalize. MVLA’s 08s have risen to the top of the Southwest- Blue Conference standings (9-0-1, 28 points) thanks in part to their balance in the midfield (30 goals scored, one goal allowed). Ramans has played a huge role in this development and should continue to lead the charge at this year’s Showcase.

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Justin Chen | Midfielder
Crossfire Premier 1 08 (WA)

Last season, Justin and his team went on the win ECNL national championship. There, he scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists, and was selected for the ECNL all-American team. He was also the top goalscorer on his team in the regular season with 17 goals, and this season continues to be the leading goalscorer on his team with 7 goals.

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Carlos Nieto | Forward
La Roca FC 07 (UT)

Rotates between both winger positions and up top for a high-flying La Roca attack. The dynamic winger/striker likes to drive at defenders and can force them to immediately back pedal. He can hit strong goal-scoring chances from a variety of spots inside and outside of the eighteen yard box. Named 2021-22 ECNL U15 Conference Player of the Year and on the ECNL All-American Team, Regional Player Ranking Class of 2026 in Jul/Apr 2023 and Oct 2022. While playing in USYS last season, Tillman led his team to a 2023 U16 National Championship.

2025

Liam Schumacher | Midfielder
Seattle United 07 (WA)

Organizes a highly efficient Seattle midfield that likes to build attacking plays from the back and can hold possession for extended periods of time. After a strong 2022-2023 campaign which saw Schumacher lead United to a Northwest Conference Championship, and in the process earn himself All-Conference honors. Operating as a number six, Schumacher is a threat on both sides of the pitch and has been invaluable to Seattle’s strong start in Conference play (5-1-0, 15 points)

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Dashiell Stein | Forward
Seattle United 07 (WA)

Dominated in the attacking third for Seattle at this year’s Surf Cup, scoring six goals while creating several strong chances for his teammates. Last year’s U16 Northwest Player of the Year has a clever first touch, particularly off of his dominant left foot, and can immediately go at defenders with his lightning quick speed. Stein was an ECNL All-American in 2022-2023 and alongside Schumacher, will be looking to improve upon Seattle’s Quarterfinal appearance from last season.

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Oliver Adams | Winger-Striker
Mustang SC 07 (CA)

Rotates between both winger positions and up top for a high-flying Mustang SC attack that has scored 32 goals thus far this season. Adams is unafraid to take the difficult shot and will use his strength and speed to give himself the best chance possible at a goal-scoring opportunity. At 6’2″ he is also an asset on corners and set pieces.

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Ray Saldana | Forward-Midfielder
California Odyssey 07 (CA)

Scored eight goals in conference play this season for the Odyssey, lifting the team to the top of the Northern California Conference-Blue Division standings (7-3-1, 22 points). Saldana is an expert dribbler that can turn even the smallest of gaps in a defense into an advantage. He can also make the decisive pass to a teammate and has excellent field awareness.

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Noe Morales-Moya | Midfielder
Legends FC 06/05 (CA)

Serves as the sparkplug of the Legends FC midfield, using speed and pace to maintain their shape and control possession. Morales can pick out teammates with a clever pass or directly take on opponents with his expert dribbling. Legends have maintained a Goal Differential of plus eleven during Conference play this season, thanks to Morales’ highly organized midfield work.

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Corey Archuleta | Defender
La Roca 07 (UT)

A member of the Utah State Cup Champions and ODP West Region Team, Archuleta is a lockdown defender that can make the difficult challenge to stem goal-scoring opportunities. While playing in USYS last season he was a Best XI selection and a member of the National Championship team.

2024

Jordan Victor | Goalkeeper
Davis Legacy 06/05 (CA)

Runs a highly organized backline that has conceded just eleven goals in league play this season, Victor is one of the top goalkeepers in his age group in the ECNL. He is highly effective at communicating what he is seeing to his defenders and having them make small in-game adjustments to limit goal-scoring opportunities. Victor has verbally committed to play college soccer next season at Stanford University.

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Morgan English | Goalkeeper
Dallas Texans Academy 06/05 (TX)

Against high-scoring opponents in the ECNL Boys Texas Conference, earning three clean sheets and allowing just six goals. In close matches, Morgan has proven that he can lead to a team to results, slowing the pace down or speeding it up depending upon what is needed of him. That the Texans are 6-0-0 in games decided by one goal is a testament to the organization of their backline and his leadership.

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Reid McMillian | Goalkeeper
Dallas Texans 06/05 (TX)

Named to last year’s ECNL All-Regional team, McMillan is a strong communicator with commanding presence in the final third. While not only a consistent shot-stopper, he incorporates all aspects of the position into games, including mental toughness, strong leadership, prudent decision-making, and a technical last defender whom teammates trust on the ball.

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Ryan Dugan | Defender
San Francisco Elite Academy 07 (CA)

Spearheads a San Francisco defense that has allowed just eleven goals this season. Dugan can play at both the center-back and outside back positions using his strength and speed to end the opposition’s goal-scoring chances and immediately kickstart the counter-attack. At 6’2″ he is also an asset on set pieces on both sides of the pitch.

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Matteo Delmonte | Midfielder
San Francisco Elite Academy 07 (CA)

Serves as San Francisco’s captain and has led the squad to a 5-2-6 mark on 21 points in the ECNL Northern California Conference. Delmonte operates as a holding midfielder and can create long, sustainable possessions to help preserve results.

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Matteo Delmonte | Midfielder
San Francisco Elite Academy 07 (CA)

Serves as San Francisco’s captain and has led the squad to a 5-2-6 mark on 21 points in the ECNL Northern California Conference. Delmonte operates as a holding midfielder and can create long, sustainable possessions to help preserve results.

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Julian Tototzintle | Centerback
San Francisco Elite Academy 07 (CA)

Operates from the centerback position and possesses exceptional speed and agility. Totozintle is comfortable having the ball with either foot, and provides a high level of consistency and toughness along the backline.

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Atticus English | Defender
San Francisco Elite Academy 07 (CA)

Selected to participate in the 2021 USYNT Regional ID Center Camp, English is an exceptional athlete that gives San Francisco additional strength and speed in the defense. He can also play at either outside back position or as a holding midfield, giving his team some flexibility particularly late in games.