The U16, U17 and U18 Boys teams contesting the U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Championships this week will be dealing with possible high winds and definite high temperatures. The championship teams will have played six matches in seven days, so endurance is as important as quality soccer playing.

While the players on these teams are in the midst of their college decision-making (or even packing for the trip away from home to college), the successful teams will have managed to maintain focus on team-building and the duties necessary for playing winning soccer.

Seeing how the older boys’ age groups stack up between clubs who go the Academy route and those who don’t is always interesting. The thing to remember is that there are still a number of very good teams in these competitions.

U16

Real So Cal White headlines Group A and will face off with Santos River Plate (Oregon), Helena Arsenal (Montana) and Idaho Rush. In Group B, Washington’s Crossfire Premier will meet Nevada’s Cordica USA, Alaska’s Full Force and Colorado Storm Copa.  Group C action features Elite FC Gladiators (New Mexico), West Coast FC (Cal South), Blue Knights Premier (Utah) and Westside Metros Remix (Oregon). In Group D, Cal North winners MVLA Raptors take on Real Rush of Hawaii, Sereno SC of Arizona and FWRL qualifiers Arsenal (Cal South).

U17

Cal South teams CZ Elite (FWRL) and United FC (State Cup) headline Group A and will face Mustang SC (Cal North and Pros 92 (Arizona). In Group B, Eastside FC (Washington), Inter FC (Utah), Honolulu SC and Colorado Storm North will square off. In Group C, FWRL qualifiers Slammers take on Real Rush (Hawaii), Rio Vista (New Mexico and Las Vegas Premier. The final group includes Oregon winners East Side United, Utah wild card La Roca, Idaho champions Boise Capitals and Alaska Rush.

U18

Group A features Las Vegas Premier, Utah wild card Sparta Premier, Arizona champions Cisco SC and Montana’s Magic City. In Group B, FC Barcelona (Cal South) leads a tough quartet including  Westside Metros (Oregon), Rio Vista (New Mexico) and Boise Capitals (Idaho). Group C features Honolulu Bulls, Sereno SC (Arizona), Impact Black (Utah) and Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Sting. Group D may be the toughest of all with San Diego side Atlante facing Fort Collins Arsenal (Colorado), Eastside FC (Washington) and Central Marin (Cal North).

Group play begins Monday, June 15th, and concludes Wednesday, the 17th. Quarterfinals begin Friday June 19th (watch for TopDrawerSoccer.com LIVE that day), with semifinals the 20th and championship matches June 21st. Watch for the results all week on TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Also on TopDrawerSoccer.com:

Region IV Younger Boys Preview
Region IV Younger Girls Preview
Region IV Older Girls Preview

Coming Tuesday: Region III Previews