Players That Impressed: ECNL Boys 2024 Virginia National Event

The ECNL Boys held their latest National Event of the 2023-24 season over the weekend  Virginia. ECNL Virginia featured 150 teams from across the league’s U15-U17 age groups playing in front of over 400 college scouts (Results | College Coaches List).

Below are some of the top players from the weekend’s event sorted by graduation year. You can also nominate a player who stood out during the event through the following link.

2027

Cole Montgomery | Forward-Midfielder
Virginia Union 08 (VA)

Scored the game-winning goal for the Union in their 1-0 opening day victory over Manhattan SC. Montgomery’s overlapping runs from the winger position have posed major problems for defenses all season and continued to do so over the weekend in Richmond. He can also play as a ‘false No. 9’, relaying passes from the midfield to the attack and is comfortable with the one touch passes in traffic.

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Ethan Debrah | Midfielder
North Carolina FC Academy 09 (NC)

Netted four goals, including a brace against World Class FC in their finale, to lift NCFC to a 2-1-0 record on 6 points over the weekend. Debrah is always efficient with his shot selection, positioning himself in front of goal and timing his strikes to give himself the highest percentage chance at a goal. Through the middle of the field he is instrumental in pushing his team into the attack, making small adjustments to open up play.

2026

Huge game for Class of 2026 Featured Player @VegasChase2026 at #ECNLVA, leading the @HeatFCNV attack with 1 goal and 3 assists:

⚽️ https://t.co/EyzhZvY9Cx pic.twitter.com/qnW8l8VqX2

— SoccerWire (@TheSoccerWire) May 27, 2024

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Andrew Jacques Ardrey | Defender
Manhattan SC 08 (NY)

Earned Player of the Match honors at the National Selection Game after scoring a brace in the second half to lift the West over the East 4-2. Ardery’s consistent ball control and darting runs off of the ball posed problems for opponent’s all weekend in Manhattan earning points against Florida Kraze (2-2) and St. Croix (0-0).

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Ethan Summers | Midfielder
Northern Virginia Alliance 08 (VA)

Buried a hat trick on matchday one to give Northern Virginia the 4-1 victory over Match Fit Academy. Working through the center midfield position, Summers organizes possession for the Alliance threading passes to open targets throughout the pitch and directly taking on defenders when they need to transition from one phase to another. He can also impede opponent’s advances with tight marking and key interceptions.

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Daniel Frye | Midfielder
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals RL 07 (PA)

Knocked home the go-ahead goal to book a 3-1 victory against Penn Fusion Soccer Academy. Frye’s pinpoint passes and clever first touches helped spur the Ukies to an undefeated record over the weekend (2-0-0, 6 points). After a standout season with CB East in high school play in which he earned Suburban One Player of the Year honors, Frye played a pivotal role in Philadelphia finishing atop the ECNL-RL North Atlantic Conference (11-2-1, 34 points).

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Riley Bedics | Goalkeeper
FC Pride Elite 08 (IN)

Blanked SUSA FC 1-0 on Friday to hold on for the close victory. Bedics athleticism was on fully display during the match, including making a penalty kick stop early in the game to keep the score level. Against a tough attacking team, Bedics showed that he can handle the pressure between the posts and lead his team out of the back.

Less than two minutes into the game SUSA was awarded a PK, but Riley Bedics was up to the task! pic.twitter.com/CkYEHQBnHC

— FC Pride 2008 Boys ECNL (@FCPride08bECNL) May 25, 2024

2025

Tustin Todd | Outside Back
St. Croix Soccer Club 08 (MN)

Set the tone for the East in the National Selection Game by scoring twice in the first half to give them the early advantage. Operating on the edges of the pitch, Todd can make the small cuts necessary to break past defenders and open up play off of the counter-attack.

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Brady Jacobs | Forward
World Class FC 09 (NY)

Bagged a goal and an assist on matchday one to lift World Class past Virginia Development Academy 5-0. The two-time New York All-State and United Soccer Coaches All-East Region honoree used his speed and quick dribbling to break past defenses and wreak havoc inside of the eighteen yard box. Off of the ball, he times his runs perfectly to connect on a pass and set up his shots.

Helped set up one…cleaned up a spill and scored another in our 5-0 win over VDA at the ECNL Showcase in Richmond, VA! Back to work tomorrow vs. Cleveland Force at 4pm. Vamos, World Class! @WorldClassFC1 @NcsaSoccer @ncsa @TopDrawerSoccer pic.twitter.com/2nsR3VsMZ3

— Brady Jacobs #10 (@bradywcfc10) May 25, 2024

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Isaac Guerrero | Midfielder
North Carolina FC Academy 07 (NC)

Provided a consistent attacking presence up top for North Carolina over the course of their three matches pushing the team to an undefeated record (1-0-2, 5 points). He scored the opening goal in their 3-2 win over Parkland SC on Friday and added a third on Saturday against Penn Fusion SA, a 3-3 draw. The 2022-2023 Mid Atlantic All-Conference First Team member has excellent pace and can break down defensive lines with relative ease.

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Ethan Manzella | Midfielder
NTH NASA Tophat 07 (GA)

Alternating between right midfield and the center midfield positions, Manzella sparked NTH NASA’s ball movement in victories over HEX Dominion FC and Florida Premier FC (both 2-1). He also showed what he can do in creating attacking chances, assisting on one of the two goals in the HEX match and drawing a penalty kick chance that was converted in their loss against Richmond United (2-3). Moreover, he showed a knack for retaining possession for long periods of time a skill that is critical in retaining one goal advantages.