Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, releasing 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)

Development Academy undefeateds climb at U16

New York Red Bulls’ and Philadelphia Union’s U16 Development Academy squads keep their records perfect in the Atlantic Division, and climb as a result to No. 1 and No. 3, respectively.

The Red Bulls’ attack is led by IMG Academy 150 class of 2017 standouts and U.S. YNT members Jean Paul Marin and Omir Fernandez. Fernandez is the team’s leading scorer with five goals on the season, including the game winner against Continental FC Delco to keep that perfect streak alive.

The Union’s stout back line has given up just a single goal this season, and even that was after taking a four goal lead on FC Bolts Celtic back in September. Center back Matthew Real and right back Andrew Aprahamian have played a major role in the team’s success to date, and both are U.S. U15 Boys National Team members who had good showings at the U.S. U15 BNT camp in August.

FC Tampa back in at U17

Fall regional leagues at this age group are not producing a clear favorite for a national title in USYS ranks. For that we will just have to wait another month for the National League to begin its season. One team in the south, however, is making the most of its fall, leading three leagues at once, and climbs back into the rankings at No. 18.

FC Tampa Rangers started the Southern Regional Premier League with a 1-1-1 record and temporarily dropped from the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 initial rankings. Since then, the Rangers have climbed to the top of the standings in both the SPL and the Region III Premier League East, and are currently undefeated in the Florida Premier League. Those stats plus a key win over No. 19 United FA-Norcross on September 28 helped put FC Tampa back in our rankings.

More:  IMG Academy 150 rankings | Fall Fab 50 HS Rankings

Whitecaps peak, Concorde on fire at U18

Vancouver Whitecaps continue their climb up the rankings this month, landing in the top five at No. 4. The Whitecaps are 5-0-0 on the season, lead the Northwest Division, and currently have a goal differential of +19, thanks to the standout attacking duo of Marco Bustos and Dario Zanetta who have combined for 15 of the team’s 22 goals on the season.

Though their stats may not be as impressive as those of the Whitecaps, Concorde Fire went 4-0-1 since our last update, and its 6-0-1 record leads the Southeast Division, raising their ranking from No. 24 to No. 15. Concorde’s only draw was against No. 23 Kendall SC down in Miami, and their wins included a shutout of Carolina Rapids, one of the most prolific squads in the Development Academy during the 2013-14 season.

Next Thursday: U16, U17, and U18 Girls

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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