Central Conference

The Chicago Fire U18 has clinched first place in the Great Lakes Division and will get the chance to maintain its unbeaten record (14-0-1) in the division against the Chicago Magic this weekend. A win for the Fire’s U16 team over the Magic would be enough to secure the division title as well.

Vardar, which isn’t too far behind the Fire in the U18 standings – although out of reach – can secure a playoff spot via a top two finish in the division if it can get one win from the two games on the weekend against Sockers FC and FC Milwaukee.

A Texas derby wraps up the Academy season for FC Dallas this weekend against the Houston Dynamo. While neither of the Dynamo’s Academy sides put together playoff-type seasons, FC Dallas’ U18 look for a final tune-up prior to the Playoffs. FCD won’t be able to call on the services of leading scorer Danny Garcia, currently on the road with the U.S. U20 MNT.

Looking good for a pair of playoff spots in the Frontier Division is Shattuck St. Mary’s. Currently in first place ahead of the Rapids Academy at the U18 age group, St. Mary’s is a point behind (with two games in hand) St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro. This weekend, St. Mary’s is off to the Denver area to take on Real Colorado and the Colorado Rush.

East Conference

With a chance to extend its lead at the top of the Liberty Division U18, the New York Red Bulls take on Albertson SC and FC Westchester this weekend. The latter two clubs are aiming to close the gap on the Red Bulls, whose forward Brandon Allen sits on 21 goals in 22 games so far this year.

The U16 Liberty leaders, PDA, faces the same two teams as New York this weekend, looking to hold a lead in one age group, and ideally chase down the Red Bulls with two positive results – and some help.

Things are tight in the Atlantic Division heading into this weekend. Baltimore Bays Chelsea, U18 leaders, travels to play Match Fit Chelsea and NJSA 04 aiming to increase its lead and try and chase down the U16 leaders FC Delco.

Meanwhile, Delco will have its hands full this weekend as D.C. United and Potomac visits. United is in the hunt for a top two spot, while Delco’s U18s are holding onto second. Brett Campbell and Darius Madison have both enjoyed solid seasons for FC Delco.

South Conference

Action concludes in the Southeast Division this weekend, as teams in that division head back into action for the first time in 2011 for some of them. South Carolina United Battery, which last played in February, wraps up its season at home against Weston FC and Kendall SC. With two wins each for the U16 and U18 squads, the Battery would clinch first place for both age groups.

A win by Weston FC, which also visits Georgia United this weekend, would give them a chance to pass by the Battery at least at the U18 level and sneak into first place.

The Atlantic Division also draws closer to being settled. Charlotte Soccer Academy currently holds first place at both age levels, with a one-point lead on CASL Chelsea in the U16 age group and two points on McLean Youth Soccer’s U18s.

However, with Charlotte wrapped up its division schedule and on the road to play against Concorde Fire and Birmingham United, the door opens for CASL and McLean. CASL is one the road against the Richmond Kickers this weekend, while Mclean faces the North Carolina Fusion, where a win would give McLean first place in the division.

West Conference

With almost all the teams out in the West Conference having wrapped up their seasons, Arsenal taking on Nomads SC is the only Academy action on offer, with no implication in the standings.

LA Galaxy and Chivas USA sit first and second in atop the U18 SoCal Division, with the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake clinching the top two for the U16s. Meanwhile, Vancouver Whitecaps and De Anza Force claimed the two in the U18 Northwest Division, while Vancouver and Seattle Sounders claim first and second in the U16 age group.