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

(scroll down for system details)

New No. 1 at U16

So Cal Blues ECNL takes over the top spot at this age group after a 6-0 run against Southwest Conference opposition since the San Diego Showcase.  U17 Women’s National Team member and UCLA pledge Lauren Brzykcy is the lead goalkeeper for this squad which earned a shutout in each match during the run and has just three goals against in conference play all season.

Indiana Fire makes a huge leap into the top ten, jumping 14 spots from its previous No. 24 ranking. The Fire extended its one-loss season for another month, reaching the top spot in the Ohio Valley Division. Coach Joe Sochacki’s squad will face a tough non-conference test at the New Jersey Showcase later this month when it faces No. 2 PDA.

More: Commitments

Newcomers make their mark at U17

Two newcomers hit the rankings this month in Crossfire United ECNL and Penn Fusion ECNL at No. 22 and No. 25, respectively. United climbed into the second spot in the Northwest Conference Mountain Division standings, just behind its Washington counterpart, No. 8 Crossfire Premier. With a 6-3-3 conference record and just two matches remaining before the New Jersey Showcase, United has put itself in a favorable position to earn a spot in the postseason. Penn Fusion’s season is heavily weighted in April and May due to a fall high school schedule, and has now got enough matches under its belt to earn a spot as a playoff hopeful. Fusion’s 7-3-3 conference record is good enough for third, and a hard-earned draw with No. 10 PDA thanks to goals by Rachel Dorwart and Britney Dragoni helped put Penn Fusion in the rankings.

Eclipse on top at U18

Eclipse Select earned four wins to extend its unbeaten record to 14-0-1 and is on the verge of entering the playoffs as the overall top seed.

FC Stars remains undefeated in conference action, but struggled at the San Diego Showcase against top-25 opponents No. 6 Slammers and No. 10 Maryland United. Nonetheless, FC Stars sits 15 points ahead of its nearest opponent in the New England Division with just four matches left to climb to No. 12.

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Boys

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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