It’s nearly here. After months of battle led to a slew of highly competitive state cups - 56 in all - the four prominent US Youth Soccer Regionals are set to kick off in earnest on June 18.

This is the penultimate cog in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, which got its start in Federal Way, Washington in 1986. Since then, the national championship has been held in 18 different states, and that number balloons to 19 when Tulsa, Oklahoma hosts for the first time beginning July 22. The road to Tulsa goes through four bitterly contested regionals popping off across the country across the final few weeks of June.

From the East Coast-laden Region I in the rises of Appalachia to the California-heavy Region IV on the pancake-flat plains of southwestern Idaho, scads of some of the nation’s top up-and-coming youth talent will claw its way toward the championship. Here’s a look at a few teams and players to watch from each region.

Region I

Where: Barboursville, West Virginia

When: June 26-30

Who to watch

Maryland Rush Montgomery Coyotes U17 (girls): There’s a sense of destiny swirling around this team. Three years ago, this MRM side won the U14 National Championships with largely the same nucleus in tact. It’s matriculated up the chain to here, where the team will enter Barboursville as distinct favorites to snap up a second trophy with a similar group. Last year, this team was a Region I finalist. They’ll be looking for vengeance on the U17 return trip.

Loudoun 98 Red U16 (boys): If you wanted a top player to watch in this competition, you’ve found one in Loudoun’s Gio Vasquez. Earlier this year, Vasquez so impressed the Dallas Cup committee that it selected him as the American representative at an international five-a-side tournament run in conjunction with the Champions League final. Vasquez was flown to Berlin by adidas, played with players from all over the world and then watched Leo Messi and Andrea Pirlo in the final. In Barboursville, Vasquez will do his best to lift his U16 side past a talent-rich field in its drive toward Nationals.

Region II

Where: Fox Cities, Wisconsin

When: June 20-24

Who to watch

Cincinnati United Premier Gold U14 (girls): This is the rare youth team where the coach’s reputation probably outshines that of any of his players. Bobby Puppione has been gathering momentum as one of the guiding lights in girls soccer development from his station in the Midwest, and his CUP teams tend to echo that progress. This team already qualified for Nationals via its sterling performance in the National League, and they’ll be doing their best to down a talented field en route to Tulsa.

Ohio Premier Green U17 (boys): This spring’s Midwest Regional league was ruled by this OP Green side, which won five of its seven matches and scored five more goals than anyone in the league. Impressively enough, coach David Winner’s team full of 2016s already has a pair of Division I commits in keeper Brennon Davis and midfielder Jack Holland, both of whom are headed to Ohio State next year. This team made it to Nationals in 2014. Can they repeat the feat in Wisconsin?

Region III

Where: North Little Rock, Arkansas

When: June 19-25

Who to watch

Tennessee SC 16 U17 (girls): If you’re talking US Youth Soccer dynasties, coach Ronnie Woodard’s TSC 16 side is at the top of the list, at least in Region III. This team has won this region three years running now, and it’s no age-range fluke either. A staggering 11 TSC sides won Tennessee state cups in May to earn a shot in their respective regionals, and this U17 side led the way for a third straight year. This team has produced a ton of top Division I talent over the years, most recently 2016 Georgia commit and top keeper Jessica Harvey. Dynasties are tough things to uphold, but could you bet against this team grabbing a fourth in a row?

GSA 01 Premier U14 (boys): Coach Nuno Piteira’s Georgia-based side chock full of talented 2019 prospects will have its work cut out in Arkansas. Good thing the team looks up for the challenge. This is the defending Region III champion, and it looks as though the attack has already hit its stride. Forward Kendall Edwards tied for the national lead in goal-scoring among U14 boys players in the National League this season with seven goals. Midfielder Liam Butts wasn’t far behind with four, meaning that if this team can crank up its attack it’ll be tough to stop. Again.

Region IV

Where: Boise, Idaho

When: June 22-28

Who to watch

Santa Barbara SC White U17 (boys): Whenever you rope California into the youth soccer mix, regardless of the league or competition, you’re looking at some prodigious talent on display. This Santa Barbara team is living proof. This team won back-to-back national championships in 2012 and 2013, and they were only denied a rare three-peat when Ohio Premier dropped them 3-1 in the semifinals in 2014. This team has produced a dizzying of top talent, and Ghanaian wonderkids Geoffrey Acheampong and Abu Danladi both darkened its doors. You can be sure this team will have similar talent on display in Idaho.