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OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS – Today is the day the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships begin in the Kansas City area. Yesterday we previewed the Boys field, here is a look at who is playing on the Girls’ side.

Remember the formats: For age groups U15 through U17, 2 groups of 3 (4 regional championship winners plus two qualifiers from the National League). Teams play each of the three teams in the other pod and the top two teams in the standings group then square off in the final. For age groups U14, U18 and U19, one group of four (regional championship winners only). Teams play a 3-match round robin and then the two teams with the most points play a title game.

U14 Girls: MVLA Lightning are my pre-tournament favorites based on the Northern California team’s form. They have formidable opposition in Dallas Sting, Michigan Hawks and Washington D.C. area team Columbia United.

U15 Girls: This has become a prime recruiting age group in the current college climate. A pair of Dallas-area teams are here. Tatu’s Dallas Sting side is pushing for a national double, having just won the Elite Clubs National League title last weekend in Seattle. Crosstown rivals Dallas Texans won the National League. The two teams are not scheduled to meet in group play, but could meet in the final.

Also on hand are Region IV winners Real Colorado, Region I runners-up and Pittsburgh-area club Beadling SC, National League runners-up and Boston-area club Scorpions and St. Louis-area side JB Marine, the Region II champions.

U16 Girls: Look out for Region II Champions and National League runners-up Naperville Fury here. National League winners NASA (Atlanta) and Colorado Rush (Region IV champions) are other teams to watch.

But so are Region II runners-up Minnesota Thunder, Region III winners Solar SC and Region I champs McLean Strikers.

U17 Girls: There are a lot of top college recruits in this age group. No less than three Southern California teams are here, including So Cal Blues, Real So Cal and Slammers, so there will be a Coast Soccer League or Cal South State Cup feel to some of the games.

Contending with the group from Southern California are Region II champions Michigan Hawks, Region III winners D’Feeters and New York City area side Syosset Sting.

U18 Girls: Defending champions Eclipse Select will face Georgia’s AFC Lightning, Southern California’s Laguna Hills Eclipse and Region I winners McLean Dragons of Northern Virginia.

U19 Girls: Northern California’s Alameda County Northstars will contend for the title along with Austin club Lonestar SC, Chicago-area club Eclipse Select and Philadelphia-area side FC Bucks.

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