Today we unveil a rankings update for the Grande Sports TeamRank Top 25, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, taking a look at the latest standings for U16, U17 and U18 Boys. Next week, we will update the older age groups on the Girls’ side. We will update our National Top 25 for each age group at least once per month.

(scroll down for system details)

New No. 1 at U16

Real Salt Lake-AZ’s 1-2 loss to LA Galaxy on November 6, followed by its draw against Real So Cal just before Thanksgiving, drops RSL from the top spot just before the December showcase. Atlanta United takes over that spot for the time being, but will face RSL-AZ, No. 5 LA Galaxy, and No. 15 Baltimore Armour over the course of the weekend. The No. 1 spot could be on the line once again.

Baltimore Armour went on a 5-0 run in the month of October, and followed that with two wins and a draw in November to climb to No. 15. Armour took down No. 4 New York Red Bulls on November 6, knocking them from the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

MORE: Commitments

National League on tap at U17

US Youth Soccer National League play begins next weekend, and teams heading to North Carolina will look to prove their rank. CASL 00 Red climbs to No. 2 after taking the Southern Regional Premier League title, while West Coast FC Armour ticks up one after finishing second in the SCDSL.

Baltimore Celtic 2000, however, had the biggest jump in rank, climbing six spots to No. 13.  Celtic competed in two tournaments in November, winning its group at the Bethesda Premier Cup over Virginia Youth Soccer State Cup champion SOCA Elite 2000, and the EDP College Showcase over No. 11 Lower Marion Sabertooth Rats over Thanksgiving weekend.

New No. 1 at U18

The No. 1 jinx was in effect at this age group as well, with former No. 1 New York Red Bulls losing twice in November to fall three spots to No. 4. NYRB fell to Continental FC Delco and New England Revolution, the Revs taking the 2-1 result on goals by Izaiah Jennings and Alex Shterenberg to keep them undefeated, lifting them into the top ten at No. 7.

Strikers FC went on a 4-0-1 run in November to finish the month second in the Soutwest Division and at No. 15 in the Grande Sports TeamRank Top 25.

Next Thursday: U16, U17, and U18 Girls

Grande Sports TeamRank 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.