Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, releasing the latest standings for U13, U14 and U15 Boys. Next week, we will update the younger age groups on the Girls side. We will update our Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 for each age group at least once per month.

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Regional league leaders make moves at U13

While no one has been able to catch No. 1 New York Red Bulls 2000, FC Dallas Pre-Academy, Baltimore Celtic Dynasty, and Raiders FC all inch a bit closer this month as they continue to lead their respective regional leagues. FC Dallas moves to No. 2 and leads the Texas Pre-Academy League with an 11-1-3 record, but there are quite a few matches remaining in the season. Celtic leads the Region I Premier League and had advanced to the semifinals of the US Youth Soccer Maryland State Cup, ticking its stock up to No. 3. Mike Lookinland’s Celtic has yet to concede a goal in RIPL or state cup play. Illinois-based Raiders FC haven’t lost since the first match of the Midwest Development League season last September and have put a whopping 98 goals in the back of the net in just 17 league matches, allowing them to move up from No. 5 to No. 4.

Real So Cal makes its mark at U14

Real So Cal’s Development Academy squad got some redemption against fellow SoCal rival LA Galaxy a couple of weeks ago, and as a result enters the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 at No. 20. Real’s only loss on the season was to LA Galaxy last fall, a close 2-1 affair determined by Noa Harrisson’s stoppage time game-winner. Real took the rematch 2-0, both goals scored by Jason Manning, who now has 19 on the season. LA Galaxy was without several players due to youth national team commitments, most notably 7th grader Jacob Muchnick, who commanded the midfield in the first match between the two.

Orlando City enters the rankings this month at No. 24. Orlando City has been on the cusp of the rankings for several months now, but its 16-4-1 record coupled with a couple of losses by fellow Floridian Kendall SC, as well as a good performance so far in the U15 age group at Dallas Cup were reasons to finally make the move.

READ MORE: U14 BNT Camp Notes | U14 Development Academy Scoreboard

BW Gottschee knocking on the door at U15

A New York team comes close to the No. 1 spot in this age group, but unlike at U13 and U14, it’s not the Red Bulls. BW Gottschee took over the top spot in US Club Soccer’s Northeast Pre-Academy League last month and will be looking to finish the regular season with a chance for a NPL national title. Gottschee got through a couple of major hurdles, earning a draw against the No. 3 Red Bulls and a hard fought victory against No. 5 PDA to establish themselves as the clear leader of the National Premier League race in the northeast, and climbs from No. 7 to No. 2 in our rankings.

 

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Girls

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.