
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — It’s safe to say the ECNL Florida Winter Showcase is one of the biggest events on the girls’ club soccer calendar.
230 teams in the U16-U-19 age groups competed from Jan. 11 to Jan. 13 at the Premier Sports Complex in front of hundreds of college coaches. I attended the event and watched all six New England clubs play against top teams from across the country, focusing on the U-16 and U-17 levels.
The New England representatives were FC Stars Blue, FC Stars White, South Shore Select, Scorpions SC, Connecticut FC, and FSA.
As college coaches filled the sidelines, several New England teams and players impressed on the bright stage. The Scorpions 2008 squad went 3-0 behind their skilled crop of forwards, South Shore Select made their ECNL debut, and FC Stars Blue battled with the nation's top teams. The event served as a proper kick-off for the rest of the ECNL season.
Over the next few weeks, I will unveil standouts and highlight uncommitted players from the showcase. But first, here are five immediate takeaways from the ECNL Florida Winter Showcase.