(scroll down for system details)

Mid Atlantic, Northeast battles at U13

So Cal Blues Baker remains the clear favorite for the top spot in this youngest age group, but a couple of teams are on the rise as the season progresses. Braddock Road YC Elite climbs up a spot to No. 3 with a 5-0-1 record in the Virginia Club Champions League, which is a great start to the season, but BRYC could have a big test coming this weekend. If they make it out of group play at the Rael Vodicka WAGS Tournament, they could face No. 16 Tophat 20 Gold or No. 25 FC Virginia Pre-ECNL in the final.

The Northeast NPL’s U13 Pre-ECNL division has provided some tough competition to prepare these teams for what they will face in the ECNL proper next year. Topping the division at the moment is No. 6 East Meadow, who has a 5-1-1 record in the league so far, but just ahead of them in our standings is PDA’s pre-ECNL squad who is undefeated in the league with a 3-0 record and climbs to No. 5. The two teams will face each other Nov. 1.

Solar rises at U14

Dallas based Solar Chelsea SC hasn’t given up a goal in its 7-0 streak in the ECNL’s Texas Conference earning it a No. 6 ranking, up from No. 11. But defense isn’t this team’s only weapon. Jason Bates’ squad has multiple offensive weapons as well, already putting six players on the stat sheet with multiple goals on the season. Kayley Ables, Caroline Berutti, Kendall Gilpin, Sydney Nobles, Julia Parks, and Gabriella Wiemann have all scored at least twice for the conference leaders.

Though No. 17 FC Bucks’ defeat of No. 20 Penn Fusion on September 14 gives the Bucks suburban Philadelphia bragging rights for the moment, these two clubs will be battling for the top spot in the Northeast Conference Metro Division all season. There’s a lot of soccer to be played between now and May 3 when the two are scheduled to meet again.

Blues defense dominates at U15

So Cal Blues has continued its almost impenetrable defense from last season, already accumulating a 5-0-1 record with five clean sheets and only allowing one goal (in a 1-1 draw with Slammers) in its six matches. The Blues are loaded with talent this season, and aiding their climb from No. 5 to No. 2 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 are IMG Academy 150 Class of 2017 No. 52 Lauren Brzykcy as the shot-stopper, Class of 2018 standouts Madelyn Desiano and Chloe Boice in defense, and U.S. U14 Girls National Team member Skylar Smith, who heads up the offense for this squad.

Another So Cal team performing well at this early point in the season is Real So Cal, who sits in the second spot in the ECNL’s Southwest Conference, just behind So Cal Blues, and debuts in our rankings at No. 17. Forward Luisa Delgado Heinz is well on her way to surpass her 2013-14 season stats of 11 goals and four assists, already scoring seven times in seven matches, including a hat trick against Heat FC on Sept. 20. The U14 Girls National Team invitee and No. 86 in the IMG Academy 150 for the Class of 2018 will be one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

 

Next week: U16, U17, U18 Boys update

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 is the comprehensive team-ranking system devised by TopDrawerSoccer.com to provide an objective and common-sense approach to determining which elite youth soccer teams are the best in the nation.

The rankings, updated monthly, are primarily results-based, with a nod toward the league and championship competitions that emulate how excellence is determined in leading soccer nations around the world.

Tournaments are also included but at a reduced value due to the many mitigating factors involving such events, including attrition and guest players.

A final layer of executive evaluation is provided to account for variables that often impact results, thus ensuring that the monthly lists are not subjective, but are not purely mechanical.