Today we unveil our latest update to the Grande Sports TeamRank Top 25, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, and we release 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)

New No. 1 at U16

New York Red Bulls take over the top spot at this age group after a 3-0 run at December’s Development Academy Showcase. The Red Bulls’ leading scorer and No. 28 ranked Omir Fernandez scored five of his teams 14 goals over the four days.

Sockers, the only team to remain undefeated to this point in the season, had an interesting run at the showcase, earning draws against No. 3 Weston FC, No. 8 New England Revolution and Real So Cal to extend its record to 7-0-6. Sockers continues to lead the Mid-America division and climbs to No. 7.

More:  Commitments | Academy Showcase Coverage | Disney Showcase Coverage

Seeing Red at U17

Solar Chelsea Red and Loudoun Red finished 1-2 in the USYS National League’s Red Division at the conclusion of the Disney Showcase, but Loudoun tops Solar in our rankings, climbing to No. 2, while Solar climbs two spots to No. 3. Loudon finished its National League season undefeated, handing Solar its only loss of the season, and championed the Disney Showcase Red division, defeating No. 25 Real Miami Madrid in the final.

Sporting St. Croix Inter 99 climbs four spots to No. 7 after a successful National League opening weekend in North Carolina. St. Croix earned a draw against No. 1 Baltimore Celtic and wins over Houstonians, Arlington Attack Red and Soccer Domain FC for a 3-0-1 record halfway through its NL season.

Showcase stars at U18

BW Gottschee continues to dominate this age group, remaining perfect at 15-0-0 with three shutouts at the showcase and just four goals against all season. Princeton recruit Sean McGowan leads the team in scoring with 10 goals.

Chicago Magic earned three wins in December, climbing from third to first in the Development Academy Mid-America Division standings, and lands at No. 8 in our rankings. Akron recruit and U.S. U20 Men’s National Team member Emmanual Sabbi and leading scorer Anselm Pasquina combined for nine of the team’s 11 goals at the showcase. Magic is on an 8-0-1 run since October 10 and will look to continue that streak when play resumes March 12.

Next Thursday: U16, U17, and U18 Girls

Grande Sports 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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