The top teams in the country showcased their talent Thursday as several intense matchups took place to kick off US Youth Soccer National League Boys play in Wilson, N.C. All 16 teams in each of the Under-14, Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 Boys age groups began their 2014-15 National League season at the Wilson Gillette Soccer Complex and Rocky Mount Sports Complex.

National League teams earn their place in the league based on a proven track record of success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions and are among the nation's best. Competing for a league title and a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships, each and every game will play into who represents the National League this summer in Tulsa, Okla.

More than 150 collegiate coaches were on hand Thursday and over 300 are expected to attend this National League weekend to scout some of the top teams and players in the country, citing the competitive level of each game as every team has to earn their spot in the competition, regardless of location or club affiliation.

With each team having secured its spot in the league, many of the players were eager to get the season started and begin to see the hard work they’ve put in pay off on the field. Under-15 Arlington Eagles Red (VA) coach Tony Damiani saw his team turn weeks of preparation into in an opening-day win, but he knows his players need to stay focused to stick with the talented opponents in the league.

“We set a goal last season of earning our place in the National League and being first in the country for a while, and we achieved those goals,” Damiani said. “It is a tremendous honor for us, from Arlington Soccer Association, to be involved in the National League. We’re a big proponent of it. We have a couple teams in the National League that will be competing this weekend. We’ve had teams in the past compete in the league. It’s top flight. It’s the best competition we’re involved in.”

The strength of the National League competition was on full display Thursday, as eight 2014 US Youth Soccer National Champions and finalists combined for four wins and four losses, including two defeats for defending National Champions.

The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Region I Champions League, Midwest Regional League, Region III Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels.

Some highlights from Thursday's matches…

Under-14

In their first National League game, Loudoun 00 Red (VA) and Tampa Bay United (FL) provided some late excitement in their Under-14 Blue Division matchup. After a scoreless opening hour of play, Tampa Bay’s Philip Spengler struck twice to give his side a two-goal advantage with just five minutes to play. However, Loudoun responded with goals from Xavier Barreda and Mason Sergi in the final few minutes to force a 2-2 draw, as the teams each earned a point in the standings.

Another tight Under-14 Blue Division game saw BRYC 00 Elite (VA) and GSA 01 Premier (GA) play to a 1-1 tie. BRYC grabbed an 18th-minute lead when Elias Guevara sent a corner kick to the back post, where Nicholas Andersen headed it home. That advantage lasted until the 47th minute, when GSA equalized on a Liam Butts strike. Neither side managed to generate a winner in the final 20 minutes, as the teams settled for the opening-day draw.

Half of the teams in the Under-14 Red Division came away with victories. Baltimore Celtic Dynasty (MD), Sparta 01 JK (UT), SCU/MP 00 Elite (SC) and LFSC Geerling White (MO) each recorded two-goal wins, setting up some key games the rest of the week for teams to create separation in the standings.

Under-15

Arlington Eagles Red (VA) is off to an encouraging start after defeating Chicago Fire Raiders Elite (IL), 3-1, to begin Under-15 Red Division play. Matthew Leach opened the scoring in the 35th minute to give the Virginia side a 1-0 lead at half. Nelson Flores Blanco doubled Arlington’s advantage in the 51st minute, but Martin Lamas scored shortly after to pull Raiders within a goal. In the 76th minute, Flores Blanco hit a penalty kick off the inside of the right post and into the net to wrap up the 3-1 victory for Arlington.

A back-and-forth game in the Under-15 Blue Division resulted in a 2-1 win for Dallas Texans 00 Red (TX-N) over BRYC 99 Elite (VA). Just eight minutes into the game, Calum Sutherland put Dallas in front when he found the back of the net. Juan Benavides responded for BRYC in the 58th minute, as he beat the keeper to level the score. However, Aryan Bhatnagar registered a game-winner in the final minutes to help the Texans come away with the 2-1 victory.

Under-16

In the Under-16 Red Division, Albion SC White (CA-S) started strong with a 1-0 win over Solar Chelsea Red 99 (TX-N). Albion, which clinched a division title on the final day of last season, had its hands full with the Region III Champions, as each team was held in check during the first hour of play. However, Albion’s Alfred Barnes broke though in the 70th minute to help the Cal South side record the shutout victory and earn three points in the standings.

In the Under-16 Blue Division, SDFC Rangers (NJ) holds a narrow lead atop the standings thanks to a 2-0 win on Thursday. The New Jersey side’s victory came in the only game in the group to be decided by more than one goal.

Under-17

The defending National Champion, Baltimore Celtic 97/98 (MD), got off to a good start with a narrow 1-0 win against Dix Hills Elite (NY-E) in Under-17 Red Division action. Sean Clarke was able to put the Maryland side up in the 19th minute, as he broke through against a stout Dix Hills defense. The New York side, which didn’t allow a single goal last season en route to a division title, couldn’t find an equalizer Thursday against Baltimore, as Celtic hung on for the 1-0 win.

In an entertaining Under-17 Blue Division matchup, FC Alliance 98 Black (TN) and FC Golden State Platinum (CA-S) played to a 2-2 draw. Golden State controlled the first half and gained a two-goal advantage thanks to a pair of strikes from Anthony Lopez. It was a different story in the second half, as Lucas Altman pulled Alliance within one with a 61st minute goal. Damilola Omitaomu followed with a tally in the 70th minute that leveled the score, as the teams each earned a point with the tie.

Under-18

A couple of experienced sides matched up in Under-18 Red Division play, as FC Dallas 97 Premier (TX-N) held off Fullerton Rangers 96 White (CA-S) for a 2-1 win. Fullerton jumped ahead in the seventh minute on a Ronaldo Pineda goal, but Sergio Lara equalized for Dallas midway through the first half. After a Jose Benitez goal put Dallas in front, Fullerton created some dangerous chances as it pushed for an equalizer. Pineda had a pair of well-struck free kicks each ring off the post in the 78th and 80th minutes, and Dallas managed to come away with a hard-fought 2-1 win.

A 4-2 win in its first game has NASA 15 Elite (GA) atop the Under-18 Blue Division standings after a day of play. CUP Gold 96/97 (OH-S) and Century V (PA-W) also earned three points on Thursday, as they each posted 2-1 victories.