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 U13, U14, and U15 Girls. Next week, we will update the older age groups on the Boys side. We will update our National Top 25 for each age group at least once per month.

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Arsenal takes aim at U13

Coach Randy Brown’s Arsenal FC Pre-ECNL is starting this season at the top. Arsenal first took the Surf Cup crown in early August without conceding a single goal, even with the likes of other top 25 teams Solar Chelsea Red, Surf Academy EGSL, and CDA Slammers nipping at their heels. But the regular season in the SCDSL bodes more of a challenge, as Arsenal sits in second place in Flight 1 East, with a 3-1 record and a loss to No. 4 Legends FC 02 in the books.

Since the Region III Premier League doesn’t begin until the spring, Surf Cup finalist Solar Chelsea Red is competing in the U14 age group of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League for the 2015-16 season. A 2-1 record to start the season in this older age group helps them land at No. 11 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25.

More: Create a TDS profile | IMG Academy 150 Rankings | TDS Combines

U14 Blues begin at No. 1

No. 1 So Cal Blues rolled through Surf Cup and its home tournament, Blues Cup, taking down some stiff competition such as No. 13 Eagles SC and No. 24 West Coast FC even before the ECNL season began. U15 Girls National Team goalkeeper Ryan Campbell and forward Isabella D’Aquila will make both ends of the field difficult for opponents to control if they want to knock the Blues from the top.

No. 7 Michigan Hawks are off to a great start to their ECNL career, with five matches played, having yet to concede a goal. Class of 2020 forward Emma Hiscock leads the scoring with six goals, while midfielder Grace Kelley has provided five assists and added two goals of her own.

Slammers continue run at U15

Last season’s ECNL national champion didn’t skip a beat to start the new season in the nation’s top league, and remains No. 1 with a 4-0 record in the Southwest Conference. George Larsen’s U15s are loaded with talent starting with the Class of 2019’s top ranked player and US U17 WNT member Jenna Nighswonger. Add in IMG Academy 150 standouts Kate Weisner, Sarah Jayne Affleck, Amaya Gonzalez, as well as defender Madison Curry, and this team could be virtually unstoppable all season long.

Dallas Kicks may have narrowly missed out on the USYS championship trophy at the end of last season, but if the early Region III Premier League West season is any indication, the Kicks could be the team to beat once the National League season rolls around in November. The Kicks have already won the RIIIPLW, and with players like forward Samantha Meza, who is becoming a regular on the U15 GNT roster, and the additional firepower of forward Jaida Thomas, who tied for leading scorer in the NL last year, they are poised for another exceptional National League season.

Next Week: Final 2014-15 season update for all age groups

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 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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