Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy 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.

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Top teams will battle at U16

Top-ranked Real Colorado will face a tough test on Saturday when it battles ECNL Texas Conference leader FC Dallas, who climbs into the No. 2 spot with this update. FC Dallas is on a 10 game unbeaten streak since losing its first game of the season to now fourth ranked Dallas Sting. However, Real Colorado is on a mini-streak of its own, having won its last six matches after falling to No. 11 Eclipse Select on October 11, so this matchup will be one to watch at the showcase.

New to the rankings this month is Carolina Elite SA ECNL. The team from Greenville, SC has compiled a 7-1-3 record, including an upset of previously unbeaten No. 3 Concorde Fire on goals from Arianna Milicia and Elizabeth Stahlman. Andrew Hyslop’s squad, which debuts at No. 20 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25, will not participate in the Phoenix Showcase, opting to attend ECNL showcases later in the year.

Hawks, Mustang face off at U17

It could be the battle of the undefeateds at the ECNL Phoenix Showcase as the Michigan Hawks at 10-0-2 in league play and first place in the Great Lakes Division face Mustang SC on Sunday. The Hawks, who climb from No. 14 to No. 8 with this update, have already handed No. 5 Real Colorado its first loss of the season, a 3-2 result last month on goals by Hannah Cady, Jaclyn Engel, and Alexis Warner.

But Mustang is climbing the ranks quickly as well, from No. 23 to No. 18 this month, with a 5-0-2 record that leads the NorCal Division, its two draws with No. 21 San Juan SC the only spots on the record. Mustang’s Miranda Nild has the unique accolade of having been the only player to break through San Juan’s stingy defense this season.

Home Cookin’ for SC Del Sol at U18

Only five of the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 teams in this age group will be competing in the ECNL Showcase in Phoenix this weekend, many opting to stay home for various reasons. Of those competing, No. 14 SC Del Sol stands the best chance of improving its rank with good results. Having a definite home field advantage, SC Del Sol will take on No. 2 Michigan Hawks, No. 5 Sporting Blue Valley, and No. 12 Eclipse Select, and wins or draws against these top teams will surely put SC Del Sol back in the top 10.

Of those teams not competing at the showcase, So Cal Blues makes the biggest jump in the top 25 this month. The Blues climb to second in the ECNL SoCal Conference and from No. 21 to No. 13 in our standings. The Blues recently suffered their only defeat of the season by a slim 2-1 margin against undefeated and No. 4 ranked Real So Cal, but maintain a 7-1-1 record overall.

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Boys

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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