It’s been a long time coming for some of the most talented and dedicated footballers in academy soccer. For some of these promising athletes, it’s just a matter of a few short months before they take the field at some of the premier collegiate institutions in the country. Here are some of the standout students athletes on the move to watch out for in the exciting year of 2025.
The Beautiful Game is getting some beautiful talent. The recruiting season is currently in full swing for the highly anticipated 2026 class. Throughout this period, we have witnessed a significant number of talented young girls make commitments to some of the most prestigious and noteworthy programs in the country. Let’s take a closer look at 20 of the standout commits for the class of 2026 and examine the exciting places where they will be heading..
Soccer, often referred to as the "beautiful game," holds a special place in the hearts of millions around the world. It's a sport that transcends borders, languages, and cultures, uniting people through a common love for the game. One of Team Give & Go unique initiatives involves organizing trips abroad for soccer players, exposing them to different soccer cultures, styles, and players from around the world.
These trips offer invaluable experiences that extend beyond the soccer field. By taking kids from diverse backgrounds on international soccer adventures, Team Give & Go is making a meaningful impact on young players of color and highlighting the importance of diversity in soccer - says Troy Jones founder. For their first trip abroad the organization is headed to the Netherlands next summer with three age groups U07, U08, and 09 age groups.
Team Give & Go is showing its forward-thinking as a soccer organization while staying committed to nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and instilling important life values in young athletes of color. The primary objective of Team Give & Go is to create opportunities for young athletes, especially those from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds, to broaden their horizons, both as soccer players and individuals. By taking these young talents on international trips, they get to interact with players from diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and skill levels, providing a comprehensive understanding of the global soccer community. It gives players the chance to showcase their skills on a global stage, highlighting that talent knows no bounds and transcends race, ethnicity, or nationality.
Secondly, diversity in soccer promotes social inclusion and combats discrimination. It sends a powerful message that everyone, regardless of their race, gender, or background, can participate and excel in the sport. Diversity fosters a sense of unity and harmony, encouraging individuals to work together and celebrate differences.
Players get to witness firsthand how soccer is played and celebrated in different parts of the globe. They learn to appreciate the diversity of the sport and the invaluable life skills that come with navigating through unfamiliar territories.
These trips will not only provide valuable exposure to the global soccer community but also emphasize the importance of embracing diversity within the sport abroad and in America. Team Give & Go is playing a vital role in shaping a brighter and more diverse future for soccer and its aspiring athletes.
Pay To Play Is harmful to American Soccer
The "pay-to-play" model in American youth soccer refers to a system in which young players and their families are required to pay fees to participate in organized soccer programs, typically through clubs or academies. This model has been scrutinized lately from a number of notable players like Alex Morgan on the development of soccer in the United States. We tend to side with Alex on this. Look at the pro’s and con’s of the pay for play model.
Positive Impacts:
Access to Resources: Pay-to-play clubs often provide resources and coaching that can help young players develop their skills. These clubs may have well-maintained facilities, experienced coaches, and access to tournaments and competitions that can be beneficial for player development.
Structured Development: Pay-to-play clubs can offer structured and organized development pathways, with teams at different skill levels. This can help players progress and improve their abilities.
Competition: Pay-to-play programs often feature competitive leagues and tournaments, which can help players test their skills and improve by playing against strong opponents.
Negative Impacts:
Barriers to Entry: The most significant drawback of the pay-to-play model is that it creates financial barriers for many young players and their families. The cost of participation, including club fees, travel, equipment, and other expenses, can be prohibitive for some.
Limited Diversity: The pay-to-play model often results in a lack of diversity in the sport, as it disproportionately affects lower-income communities. This can limit the talent pool and overall diversity in soccer.
Talent Development Gap: Many talented players may be excluded from the system due to financial constraints, limiting the talent pool from which top players can be identified and developed.
Pressure on Young Athletes: The financial investment required in the pay-to-play model can put a lot of pressure on young athletes and their families. There is a risk of focusing more on financial commitment than player development.
Inequality: The model can reinforce inequality within youth soccer, as players from affluent families may have access to better coaching and resources, creating disparities in opportunities.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to address the issues associated with the pay-to-play model in American soccer. Efforts are being made to reduce financial barriers, increase accessibility, and create pathways for talented players from all backgrounds to participate and succeed in the sport. Initiatives such as scholarship programs, grassroots development, and community-based soccer have aimed to make the sport more inclusive.
It's important to note that the impact of the pay-to-play model can vary depending on the specific club, region, and age group. Overall, addressing the challenges associated with this model is a priority for those looking to promote soccer development in the United States like Team Give & Go, who is trying to make the sport more accessible to a wider range of young players.
L-R Top Tarik Scott FC Dallas MLS, Coach Lee, Coach Cruz, Taylor Cheatham, UCLA, Victoria Peterson SMU, Troy Jones Co-Founder TG&G / Bottom: Payten Cooper Solar Soccer Club, Ahnali Quinn FC Dallas 07 ECNL, Coda Jones Solar Soccer Club, Alex Quinn Howard Mens Soccer.
One of the premier soccer organizations catered towards providing more opportunities and visibility for youth, college and professional players of color wrapped up their first soccer camp on July 22nd, 2023. The much anticipated and free camp was executed flawlessly and featured collegiate players, professional players, a nutritionist, a recovery specialist, as well as, one of the biggest names in soccer training - Coach Cruz from Cruz Coaching.
“We wanted to give the the campers more than just skills training. We wanted them to understand that there are many faucets to becoming a world class player; like eating healthy and the necessary recovery treatments athletes can do before and after the game “- says Co-Founder T.Lynn Jones.
Players and parents were treated to a wealth of valuable information rarely seen at a soccer camp. One of the highlights featured both players and parents participating in Active Release Treatment (ART) sponsored by Dallas Sports & Recovery. Active Release Techniques (ART) are a soft tissue method that focuses on relieving tissue tension via the removal of fibrosis/adhesions which can develop in tissues as a result of overload due to repetitive use.
Mel from Dallas Sports & Recovery gives a sample treatment to player.
Some of those in attendance included: Tarik Scott of FC Dallas MLS; Taylor Cheatham, UCLA; Victoria Peterson SMU,, Rammell from Dallas Sports & Recovery, Tina Wilson YB Health & Fitness and previously crowned 2023 ECNL National Championship players.
Team Give & Go is a non profit 510(c)(3) based in the DFW Metroplex. For more information or to get in contact please email troy@teamgiveandgo.com or tlynn@teamgiveandgo.com.
TG&G would like to thank our sponsor Dicks Sporting Goods and their Sports Matters Organization for helping make this all possible.
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of people playing and watching it every day. It is a sport that brings people together, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or nationality. However, despite its universal appeal, soccer has struggled with issues of diversity and inclusivity, particularly at the youth level in America.
The importance of diversity in soccer cannot be overstated. Diversity brings different perspectives, experiences, and skills to the game, making it more exciting, dynamic, and innovative.
It also helps to break down barriers and stereotypes, promoting acceptance and understanding among players and fans alike.
One of the key benefits of diversity in soccer is the ability to tap into a wider range of talent. By embracing players from different backgrounds, teams can access a wealth of skills and abilities that might otherwise be overlooked. This not only makes the game more competitive but also helps to create a more level playing field, where players are judged on their merits rather than their race, gender, or nationality.
In addition, diversity in soccer opens up new markets and audiences, helping to grow the sport and reach new fans around the world. By showcasing players from different backgrounds, soccer can become a truly global sport, appealing to people of all ages, races, and cultures.
However, despite the many benefits of diversity, soccer still faces significant challenges in promoting inclusivity and equality. Issues of racism, sexism, and homophobia continue to plague the sport, both on and off the field. In order to truly embrace diversity, soccer must work to address these issues head-on, through education, training, and policy changes.
Overall, the importance of diversity in soccer cannot be overstated. By embracing players from all backgrounds and promoting inclusivity and equality, soccer can become a truly global sport, appealing to people of all ages, races, and cultures. It is up to all of us - players, fans, coaches, and administrators - to work together to make this vision a reality.
RICHMOND, Va. (February 14, 2023) – The ECNL Girls is excited to announce the rosters for the Continental Tire National Selection Game. The National Selection Game in Houston will take place at Meyer Park Field on February 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM on Field 4 and will be live streamed here. The game will feature players from the U16-U18/19 age groups.
The Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Games are “all-star” matches that bring top players at each regular season ECNL National Event together for representative competition on the first day of the event. They are one component of the ECNL National Selection Program, which encompasses all player identification and development programs within the league.
Players were selected for the games by ECNL Player Identification staff through a combination of scouting and recommendations based on performances over the past several months. These athletes will not compete for their clubs on this day in order to properly rest and prepare for the National Selection Game.
Rosters
East
Kelby Dansby (Sting Dallas Black)
Neliaj Deleon (Classics Elite SA)
Mia Draper Kunz (Eastside FC)
Landry Fieker (Tulsa SC)
Avery Fitzgerald (FC Wisconsin)
Helen Ghertner (Tennessee SC)
Kennedy Husbands (Sting Dallas Royal)
Allison Macke (Sporting Iowa)
Fiona Mahan (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Ashley Moody (Real Colorado National)
Brilynn Mueller (Kansas City Athletics)
Maddie Padelski (Tennessee SC)
Gabrielle Poretto (Eclipse Select SC)
Leslie Razo (Dallas Texans)
Carisma Rosales (Eclipse Select SC)
Grace Smith (Challenge SC)
Grace Vest (Sporting Blue Valley)
Kenley Whittaker (Northwest Elite FC)
West
Ava Amsden (Colorado Rapids)
Payten Cooper (Solar SC)
Hadley Delaney (Utah Avalanche)
Macey Fothergill (Pride SC)
Celina Frenz (Real Colorado National)
Narissa Fults (Oklahoma Energy FC)
Allison Goodwin (Albion Hurricanes FC)
Arriannah King (Seattle United)
Allie Love (DKSC)
Maggie Manning (DKSC)
Sophia Martelli (Atlanta Fire)
Isabella Martinez (FC Dallas)
Madeline Munguia (Pacific Northwest Soccer Club)
Teagan Myers (Colorado Rapids)
Taylor Person (FC Dallas)
Kylie Snell (Sting Austin)
Alex Tay (Seattle United)
Sienna Ward (Crossfire Premier)
To view a full list of the rosters for the National Selection Game, click here.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
Girls FB: /ECNLGirls | Girls IG: @ECNLGirls | Girls TW: @ECNLGirls
CHICAGO – U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has named the 23-player roster for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.
Twenty-two of the players were with the USA for the successful trip to New Zealand in January that featured two wins over the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup cohost Football Ferns. Veteran forward Megan Rapinoe returns to the roster with a chance to hit 200 caps during the tournament. She is currently on 197.
The 2023 SheBelieves Cup kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 16 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., as Japan takes on Brazil (4 p.m. ET) and the USA faces Canada (7 p.m. ET). The tournament resumes on Sunday, Feb. 19, as the competition moves to Nashville’s GEODIS Park with the USA playing the first match of the day against Japan (2:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. ET) and Brazil facing Canada (5:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. ET) in the nightcap. The tournament concludes on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, with Canada taking on Japan (3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET) and the USA facing Brazil in the tournament finale (6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET).
All four nations will be participating in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer and all four are ranked in the top 11 in the world with the USA at No. 1, Canada at No. 6, Brazil at No. 9 and Japan at No. 11.
Defender Tierna Davidson, a 2019 Women’s World Cup champion and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, is in the final stages of her recovery from an ACL injury and will participate in the first part of the Training Camp in Orlando but will not be on the tournament roster.
“All three of these matches are great opportunities for the players and coaches as we enter the final stretch to choose the World Cup roster,” said Andonovski. “To get to play three top teams, all who are in the World Cup, over seven days, will test our team mentally and physically, and that’s exactly what we need at this point in our preparations. We still have a few players in the pool recovering from injuries, but we are confident that they will be ready for selection for our April matches.”
Forward Alex Morgan, who comes into the SheBelieves Cup with 201 matches played for the USWNT, will be honored before the opening match in Orlando for earning her historic 200th cap, that coming against Germany in the final match of 2022 in Harrison, N.J. Morgan played at Exploria Stadium for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL from 2017-2021.
The SheBelieves Cup, part of U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves initiative to inspire and empower women and girls to achieve their goals in sport and beyond, was first played in 2016. The USA won the inaugural edition and France took top honors in 2017. The USA won again in 2018, and England finished first in 2019, but the USA returned to the top of the podium in 2020, the first title for Andonovski, and took top honors in both 2021 and 2022.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current; 10), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 12), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 87)
DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 21/0), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 24/0), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 128/24), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 12/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 27/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 212/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 70/1)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 123/26), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC; 9/2), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 86/24), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 47/7), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 19/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 39/3)
FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 15/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 201/120), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 22/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 197/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 12/2), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars; 84/28), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 49/15)
The roster features five players with 100 caps or more in defender Becky Sauerbrunn (212), Alex Morgan (201), Megan Rapinoe (197), Crystal Dunn (128) and Lindsey Horan (123).
Should Rapinoe appear in all three matches for the USA at the SheBelieves Cup, she will become the 14th player in USWNT history to reach the 200-cap milestone. The two other active members of the USA’s 200-cap club – Sauerbrunn and Morgan – are also on this roster.
The roster features 11 players with 27 or fewer caps, but only one with single digit caps in Taylor Kornieck (9).
Morgan is by far the leading scorer on the roster with 120 career goals, good for fifth in U.S. history. Megan Rapinoe has 63 career international goals, Swanson has 28 and Horan has 26 while both Dunn and Rose Lavelle have 24.
Sixteen players on this roster were on the roster for the 2022 SheBelieves Cup.
Eight of the 12 NWSL clubs are represented on this roster, led by five players from OL Reign, four players from the Washington Spirit and three players each NY/NJ Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC.
This will be Tierna Davidson’s first action with the USWNT since the 2022 SheBelieves Cup in which she played in all three matches. She suffered her knee injury in late March of 2022 while training with the Chicago Red Stars. She has 48 caps.
At the World Cup, which is taking place from July 20-Aug. 20 in 10 stadiums across nine host cities — five in Australia and four in New Zealand — the USA will open Group E play against Vietnam on July 22 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, which will also serve as the host venue for the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 World Cup on July 20 when New Zealand plays Norway. The USA then faces Netherlands on July 27 at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, followed by the Group A Playoff Winner on Aug. 1 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.
Lately, we’ve been getting many questions from parents and players about how players rankings work. How are these players truly being analyzed and evaluated? What we do know is that there isn’t a true science to it. Sometimes it’s just by a few biased eyeballs or the player fits the profile. Other times, it ‘s just the amount of news articles a player can generate. (For example: Got an article mentioning your call up to the US National Team Camp? You just might go from the unknown to top 10) Believe it or not, some of these articles are parent generated. Is this fair? Does this mean this player is the best player? Who’s to say? But this is what you get in a pay to play system that is paid for by parents. Ask any good coach and they’ll tell you. Give me 10 mins and I’ll be able to identify the best players on the pitch. The eye test never lies.
This got us to thinking. Since there isn’t a true evaluation method being implemented, and the U.S. doesn’t have a grass roots system - why don’t we just hear from the players themselves. I mean, they are the ones competing, working hard, and grinding it out against some of the top players in their conference and national events.
So, TG&G wants to know… who is the toughest/best player you’ve played against? We’ll compile this information and let the soccer community know at the end of the 22 2023 season. We’re looking for nominations in age groups U15, U16, and U17. We’ll cover defenders, forwards, midfielders and goalies. So who are they? WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU?
Tis the season for soccer camps targeted at the thousands of youth soccer players striving to take their game to the next level, whether it’s enhancing their skills or showcasing their talents for recognition by collegiate programs. Nowadays, there are so many soccer camps targeting youth athletes and it’s often hard to decipher which ones are really worth it.
I often get asked by parents how to select the best camps for their student-athletes. I’m always reluctant to answer that question. It used to bother me that I didn’t have a simple answer for parents, particularly being the parent of a youth soccer student-athlete myself. The reality is, it’s not one size fits all. Selecting whether to participate in camps and what camps to participate in are individual decisions. Below includes my top five considerations for attending camps.
Consideration #1: What is your overall objective? Are you seeking a camp where your student-athlete can continue development during off-season, expand their skills or showcase their talents during college recruiting season?
Unfortunately, many camps can be money-grabs and lack the number of trainers or staff to truly help develop or ID players. Many parents find themselves rushing to send their soccer players to camps too early, only to learn that they may have to repeat the process when their student-athlete is closer to recruiting age. If your student-athlete is too young for college ID camp consideration, and you’re exploring general camps, be sure to validate the experience of the staff executing the camp - the trainer to athlete ratio and specific skillsets you can expect your child to learn while at the camp.
Consideration #2: If at recruiting age, is the camp held at a school that your student-athlete is really interested in? Can the school and the soccer program meet the needs of your athlete? If in fact, the ID camp is on the top five list, it may be worth exploring the opportunity, but be cautious because the financial obligation can add up pretty quickly.
Consideration #3: Did your athlete receive an invitation to the camp or was it an email-blast that went to tons of youth players after a showcase? It may be beneficial to have your student-athlete talk to other players on their teams and if you’re finding that the majority are attending the same camps, that may be a dead-giveaway that the camp is just looking to fill slots versus personalized consideration for your student athlete.
Consideration #4: Have you checked reviews or watched testimonials on the camp? Do they receive good ratings and work on various aspects of the game? While reading reviews can be quite tedious, they can be highly beneficial in providing insight from a previous participant.
Consideration #5: Does your student-athlete have real potential? I know, I know, every parent believes their student-athlete has high potential, but it’s important to honestly assess how your athlete compares to other athletes who play their position in their age group and unfortunately, if they lack the necessary skillset it may not be worth spending the dollars. There are less costly ways to get your athlete more training or exposure without signing up for the higher priced camps.
Keep in mind that ID camps can be valuable for your student-athlete. Increased visibility, access to coaches, ability to experience college campuses and opportunities to test your skills against comparable players are just a few reasons you might decide to bite the bullet and invest in camps. However, going in blindly without proper consideration will only end in huge financial commitments that may not deliver a return on your investment.
By: Linda Miller
