See all the Great Lakes TeamRank Rankings - Boys | Girls

Taking a strong hold of the top spot among the U17 Boys in the Great Lakes TeamRank rankings is Javanon U17 Boys.

The Louisville-based club has had plenty of recent success, leading the U.S. Youth National League and being finalists in the Disney Showcase.

“Overall, it’s the team’s depth, athleticism, and just the fact that they are able to play at a pretty fast pace that attributes to the team’s success,” Javanon Head Coach Jason Bell said. “They are a very close bunch because the core of the team has been together for so long. They know each other’s tendencies very well, which is the biggest strength to their success.”

Aside from the familiarity the team has, Coach Bell points out his kids’ receptiveness toward additions to the team that has helped Javanon transform into a powerful team.

Forwards John Manga and goalkeeper Vincent Shaw were recent additions that added depth to the team, and complemented the play of current players like Neil Henly and Jacob Scearce.

“It’s important when new players have integral roles from the beginning,” said Bell. “When you bring players like Manga, who was immediately a starter, at times there could be tension, but that hasn’t been an issue with this team.”

Aside from the newcomers, Javanon’s midfielder Lindokule Mfeka is the heart of the midfield and has become the catalyst for the offense.

“Lindo is the without a question the best player out there in his position and age group,” Bell said. “I get calls from national team coaches asking for his availability but he’s here on a student visa.”

With three major competitions on tap for Javanon, the U.S Youth Soccer National League has become priority over the Kentucky State Cup and the Midwest Regional League.

“Right now our goal is to win our division in the National League, if we are able to do well in those games then we can secure a spot in the national championship,” Bell said. “To lock up a berth will take off pressure in the State Cup and the MRL, and will allow us to use those competitions to improve ourselves and get better.”

The rest of TeamRank for the Great Lakes regions sees Ohio Premier Eagles atop the U13 Boys, and Carmel United Soccer Club leading the U14 Boys.

Team Ohio and Cincinnati United Premier have slim-margin leads in the U16 and U18 Boys rankings.

Indiana’s U18 Westside United Green is a group that’s on the cusp of a lot of things.

For starters, they’re No.2 in our Great Lakes U18 Boys TeamRank rankings, just behind Cincinnati United Premier’s CUP Crew Juniors.

Then there’s recent postseason history, which has seen Westside win three consecutive state titles only to fall short in the next round.

Rather than stand pat and hope everything will fix itself, the squad has added reinforcements this season. This time, Westside United will go to battle with extra manpower.

“We’re deeper than we’ve ever been,” said coach Josh George. “We’ve kind of taken a small step forward every year. “Sometimes you can get group that is uncommitted unless they really want to play at the next level. Everyone in this group is very committed, and we get great numbers in training and matches.”

Among the new faces that will bring strength in numbers, defenders Dan Ulrich and Tyler Haag, along with striker Jake Keller and midfielder Alex Vassilo are players to keep an eye on.

Key returners include Kyle Sparks, an Indiana commit, leading scorer Sam Fuller and center back Chris Beall.

As with the boys, Ohio Premier Eagles also lead the U13 Girls as well as the U18 Girls rankings, while Michigan Jaguars FC rank first among the U14 Girls. Finally, the Michigan Hawks control the U15, 16, and U17 Girls tables.

See all the Great Lakes TeamRank Rankings - Boys | Girls