Today we unveil the initial 2015-16 rankings for the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide. And we take a closer look at 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.

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New York Red Bulls No. 1 at U16

New York Red Bulls got a jump start on the new season before the Labor Day weekend, and are looking to best last season’s runner up finish in the Development Academy at this age group. If the first weeks’ results are any indication, NYRB are well on their way. With 18 goals for and only two against in just three matches, leading scorers Jack Valderrabano, Zach Ryan, and Omir Fernandez are leading the way to a very productive season.

Last season’s Philadelphia Union finished the year at No. 3, but have added some firepower up top for the new year in Class of 2018 forward Issa Rayyan. Rayyan was a leading scorer for Vardar’s U14 Academy last season, and was selected by TopDrawerSoccer.com as one of the best at the final U14 showcase in June. His move coupled with returners Rayshaun McGann, Benjamin Ofeimu, Seth Kuhn and Andrew Aprahamian, among others, could propel Union beyond their initial No. 2 ranking.

More:  IMG Academy 150 rankings | USYS Nationals Coverage | Commitments

Celtic on top at U17

US Youth Soccer National Champion Baltimore Celtic 98/99 will be without IMG Academy 150 Class of 2016 standout forward Nicolas Brown for the 2015-16 USYS National League season, but remains on top for our initial ranking. Brown has already logged 69 minutes and a goal for DC United’s U18 Development Academy in his final youth season before heading to Loyola(MD)(m), but Brandon Quaranta’s national champions will still be the team to beat come December.

No. 2 Seattle United 98 Copa had four goal scorers on the top ten list at last month’s national championships, and with a defense touted as one of the best in this age group, they will be tough to beat throughout the Far West Regional League and National League seasons.

FC Dallas No. 1 at U18

Last year’s U16 Development Academy champion, FC Dallas, is off to a good start at the U18 age group, with a 1-0 victory over Solar to land at No. 1 to begin this season.

DC United is using some newly acquired talent to start the season on a 2-0 run and with a No. 2 ranking in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25.  DCU rostered several players from surrounding clubs over the break including Juan Ramirez from Bethesda Olney, Daniel Damiani from Arlington SA, and the above-mentioned Nicolas Brown from Baltimore Celtic. All three logged minutes in a 5-1 defeat of New York Red Bulls, with Brown earning a goal. Add in a plethora of returners from both the U16 and U18 squads and DCU will be one to watch in the coming weeks.

PDA is another Atlantic Division team in the running for the top spot at the beginning of the season. Coming in at No. 5, PDA started the season 2-0 and has yet to give up a goal. But the New Jersey squad’s rank will be tested by divisional foe DC United on September 26.

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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