Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, releasing the latest standings for U16, U17 and U18 Boys. Next week, we will update the older age groups on the Girls side. We will update our National Top 25 for each age group at least once per month.

(scroll down for system details)

Unbeaten no more at U16

LA Galaxy nearly made it to the finish line unbeaten, but the month of April proved to be a tough one for the former No. 2, as they suffered their first losses of the season to No. 18 Pateadores and No. 2 RSL Arizona. Though falling to second in the Southwest Division, Galaxy still holds one of the best records in the Development Academy: second in goals scored, third in goal differential, and fourth in points per game, and now holds the No. 3 spot in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25.

Two teams making a resurgence into the TeamRank standings are Strikers FC and Dallas Texans, Strikers landing at No. 24 this month, and Dallas Texans at No. 25. Strikers FC are in a battle for third place in the Southwest Division with Pateadores, Strikers having the two point lead at the moment, but with a game in hand and some tough matches left on the schedule (RSL-Arizona and LA Galaxy), the Pats may end the season in that third spot. Dallas Texans have an even tighter race in the Frontier Division, with five teams vying for that third spot, but David Hudgell’s squad holds the position at the end of April and the No. 25 spot in our standings.

Dallas Cup highlights at U17

FC Golden State White takes another tick up the rankings this month to No. 7 after a successful trip to Dallas Cup as well as a good position in the Cal South National Cup (state cup) standings. FCGS won its group in the U17 Super Group division and proceeded to the semifinals where it fell to the eventual champion Club America from Mexico. Last weekend, the US Youth Soccer National League division winner secured a spot in the Cal South National Cup round of 32 by finishing first in its group.

Also ticking up a notch to No. 12 is Boca United Gold. Like FC Golden State White, the Region III Premier League East winner from last fall competed in the U17 Super Group at Dallas Cup, but didn’t fare quite as well, finishing with a draw and two losses in group play. However, Boca United has advanced to the Florida Youth Soccer state cup round of 16 and hopes to add a state cup title to its resume before Region III championships begin the middle of June.

Boston strong at U18

MLS Academy and Boston based New England Revolution has really turned things around since the Christmas Break. That one-eighty is most likely the product of a return to the lineup of IMG Academy 150 No. 70 Amadou Kunateh. Kunateh, verbally committed to Harvard for the class of 2015, spent the fall playing high school soccer for Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA, and his club team struggled as a result. Since his debut at the Academy showcase in December, the Revs are on a 6-1-1 run, haven’t lost in conference action, and land in the Grande TeamRank Top 25 at No. 23. Kunateh has scored five goals in eight games this spring, capping off his team’s resurgence by netting the game winner against No. 1 New York Red Bulls on April 5, the Bulls first loss of the 2013-14 season.

Next Thursday: U16, U17, and U18 Girls

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank 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.

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