The girls kick off the Elite 64 Playoffs when several teams travel to Mesa, Ariz., to compete Nov. 3-6. Each age group features a champions pool, where teams will play in a tournament style to determine the event champion. In the 14U-19U age groups, teams in every pool are also playing for qualifying spots into the May 2024 National League P.R.O. event, where teams will compete to advance to the 2024 USYS National Championships.
While teams in the 13U age group will see a Playoff winner crowned, the Playoffs primarily serve as an introduction to national events and do not include advancement in the 13U age group.
Take a look at some of the teams, games and players to watch in the 14U-19U Girls age groups during the Elite 64 Playoffs in Arizona.
14U Girls
Of the teams contending for the Champion Pool title, Legends FC (CA) 10G Elite 64 has some of the most impressive results over the past 12 months. Legends FC claimed the Elite 64 National Finals title in the 2010 age group back in May, and it has continued its fine form to begin the 2023-24 season. Legends FC is currently near the top of the Elite 64 Pacific standings, as it has captured 17 points from seven games.
CDA Slammers 10G Elite 64, which fell to Legends FC in penalties in the National Finals title game, is looking to build off an impressive all-around performance in 2022-23, when it preceded its National Finals run by riding a potent attack to a second-place finish in the Elite 64 Pacific standings.
The team that finished in first place last season in the Pacific —South Valley Surf SC 10G Elite 64 — will also be a side to watch in Arizona. Meanwhile, Utah Soccer Alliance 10G Elite 64, is out to knock off the California sides after it followed a perfect 2022-23 regular season record with a run to the semifinals at the National Finals.
Day 1 Game to Watch
East County Surf 10G Elite 64 and South Valley Surf SC 10G Elite 64 meet on Nov. 4 with a spot in National League P.R.O. on the line. They are currently each in the top three of the Elite 64 Pacific standings. South Valley secured a 3-2 victory in the teams’ season-opening matchup in September, and a similar showing will have added excitement in Mesa.
ProScore Players to Watch
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Selah Graney (Forward – CCV Stars)
Graney is a strong player with a very high work rate. Using her remarkable pace, she effortlessly bypasses opponents and regularly gets in behind defenses.
Video Highlight
Camilla Rodriguez (Defender – Legends FC (CA))
A relentless and imposing player who excels in physical challenges, Rodriguez also poses a threat in attack. She scored an excellent solo goal against East County Surf in September and regularly creates opportunities for her teammates.
Video Highlight
15U Girls
Two teams stand out in the 2009 Girls age group — South Valley Surf SC 09G Elite 64 and Las Vegas Surf 09G Elite 64. South Valley won the Elite 64 National Finals last season, and it needed penalties in a thrilling semifinal to hold off Las Vegas on its way to the title. Through eight games in the Elite 64 Pacific this season, South Valley is undefeated and looks poised for another strong campaign.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas has also secured four straight wins to begin this season, as the Nevada side has compiled an overall record of 19 wins, one draw and no losses in Elite 64 league play when combined with last year’s first-place showing.
Utah Soccer Alliance Elite 64 09G is another team to watch in Arizona, as it used a first-place finish last season in the Elite 64 Desert standings to secure its place in the champions pool. CDA Slammers 09G Elite 64 defeated USA at last season’s National Finals en route to a trip to the title game, and it could make another run this year in the Playoffs.
Day 1 Game to Watch
The Nov. 4 matchup between East County Surf 09G Elite 64 and Utah Soccer Alliance 09G Elite 64 features two teams that have shown an ability to string together results in league play. East County Surf has compiled a 7-2-1 record in the early portion of this season, while Utah went 8-1-1 to win last season’s Elite 64 Desert group. The winner of this one will secure its place in National League P.R.O.
ProScore Players to Watch
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Evelyn Contreras (Forward – Las Vegas Surf)
Contreras is a versatile attacker with superb technical ability, and she was a standout player at showcase events last season. She bagged a regular season hat-trick against CCV Stars in September and will be a big threat for defenses in Mesa.
Video Highlight
Elle Weathersby (Midfielder – Lobos Rush)
A talented midfielder who is strong and composed on the ball, Weathersby produced a number of spectacular long-range strikes last season. Goalkeepers beware.
Video Highlight
16U Girls
After capturing the title this past summer at the Elite 64 National Finals, South Valley Surf SC 08G Elite 64 looks to be among the favorites to have success at the Playoffs in Arizona. The California side finished first in the Elite 64 Pacific standings last season, and it’s back near the top of the table in the early stages of the 2023-24 season.
The team that finished behind South Valley in last season’s league standings — CDA Slammers 08G Elite 64 — could also make some noise in Arizona. A semifinal berth at the 2023 National Finals showed that Slammers can do well in tournament play. CDA has also shown good recent form in the Elite 64 regular season, as it is tied atop the Pacific standings.
Meanwhile, Idaho Rush Soccer Club Elite 64 08G could be a team to watch in the Silver Pool after it compiled a 7-1-0 record en route to a first-place finish in last season’s Elite 64 Northwest standings. The Idaho side will aim to string together some wins in Arizona to earn qualification to National League P.R.O.
Day 1 Game to Watch
The Nov. 3 game between Valor Soccer 08G Elite 64 and Las Vegas Surf 08G Elite 64 will determine a National League P.R.O. qualifier. Valor finished second in last season’s Elite 64 Northwest standings and will look to build off that performance. Las Vegas has shown improvement after a mid-table finish last year, as the Nevada side is off to a 3-0-1 start this season in the Elite 64 Pacific, with the group’s best goal differential.
ProScore Players to Watch
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Leilani Phillips (Forward – AYSO United)
After showing promise last season, Phillips has stepped up her game significantly already this campaign, recently scoring consecutive regular season hat-tricks against Strikers FC North and Legends FC (CA). Look out for her pace and power.
Video Highlight
Amanda Bear (Midfielder – East County Surf)
Bear consistently thwarts opposition attacks with a combination of precision and grit. Her excellent vision and passing range often allow her to initiate counterattacks and create goal scoring opportunities.
Video Highlight
17U Girls
One of three teams to average more than two points per game in last season’s tight Elite 64 Pacific standings, South Valley Surf SC 07G Elite 64 finished its 2022-23 league campaign in first place. That sustained performance earned it a spot in the Champions Pool in the Elite 64 Playoffs, and South Valley will head to Arizona with even more momentum following a 7-1-0 start to the current league season.
South Valley will need to get through Legends FC (CA) Elite 64 07G to earn the Champions Pool title. Legends FC finished third in the Elite 64 Pacific last season and elevated its game in the summer to win the Elite 64 National Finals. That proven success in tournament play, coupled with its own hot start to the 2023-24 season — including a recent win against South Valley — makes Legends FC a difficult matchup for any opponent.
The team that Legends FC defeated to win the National Finals — FC Premier (CA) 07G Elite 64 — will be another side to watch in Arizona. Its finalist showing in June followed a second-place finish in the Elite 64 Pacific standings, as FC Premier recording an impressive all-around season.
Day 1 Game to Watch
A pair of second-place league finishers match up on Nov. 3 when FC Premier (CA) 07G Elite 64 takes on Idaho Rush SC 07G Elite 64. FC Premier’s recent resume is noted above, while Idaho Rush narrowly missed out on finishing on top of last season’s Elite 64 Northwest standings due to a goal differential tiebreaker. Idaho went unbeaten in showcase action last year in Arizona, and a similar performance in this game could help it to punch a ticket to National League P.R.O.
ProScore Players to Watch
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Natalia Ramirez (Goalkeeper – AYSO United)
Ramirez possesses impressive shot-stopping ability, leading to a consistently high save count in her games. Her fast reflexes and composure under pressure have helped her record two regular season shutouts prior to this event.
Video Highlight
Mia Rodriguez (Forward – Legends FC)
Eye-catching center forward play by Rodriguez has helped Legends FC (CA) to an outstanding start to the Elite 64 regular season. Excellent close control combined with a powerful right foot has led to prolific recent goal scoring form.
Video Highlight
19U Girls
The 19U Girls age group features numerous teams with results over the past year that should give them confidence heading into the Elite 64 Playoffs in Arizona.
Last year’s Elite 64 Pacific winner, South Valley Surf SC 05/06G Elite 64, will look to add another first-place showing to its accomplishments. A 2-1 league win against second-place Strikers FC North Elite 64 06G was the difference between the two sides in the Pacific standings, as just two points separated them in the final table. If strikers can carry over its high-scoring attack to the Playoffs, it will be a challenge for all opponents. More recently, CCV Stars 05G Elite 64 opened its first Elite 64 campaign with four wins from four games against Elite 64 Pacific competition. If that good form can continue into the Playoffs, the Arizona side will be a team to watch in the Wildcard Pool, as it looks to advance to National League P.R.O.
Day 1 Game to Watch
East County Surf 05/06G Elite 64 and Strikers FC North 06G Elite 64 meet on Nov. 3 with a spot in National League P.R.O. on the line. East County made a run to the semifinal round of last season’s Elite 64 National Finals and used a busy early fall schedule to move to the top of the current Elite 64 Pacific standings. Strikers have played at a consistently high level in Elite 64 over the last 14 months, and the two sides drew, 2-2, in their meeting earlier this fall.
ProScore Players to Watch
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Mia Martinez (Defender – LASC)
An excellent reader of the game at the back, Martinez consistently wins duels and is particularly strong in the air. In addition to playing a key part in a solid LASC defense, she also poses a threat with powerful shots from distance.
Video Highlight
Ella Barron (Midfielder – CCV Stars)
Barron is a well-rounded midfielder who loves to make big plays. Excellent technique on free kicks and with long-range strikes have helped her net multiple goals already this season and make her a constant threat from outside the box.