Today we unveil our latest update to the Grande Sports TeamRank Top 25, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, and we release 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)

Galaxy soars at U16

Making a big jump while other teams lay idle this month is LA Galaxy, who climbs five spots to No. 9. The Galaxy went 4-0-1 since the holiday break, the draw coming at the hands of No. 5 FC Golden State on January 23. During the five match span, Galaxy earned most of its offensive production from Class of 2018 No. 20-ranked Kevin Negrete and regional standout Jonathan Estrada, who combined for 11 of the team’s 18 goals.

FC Golden State had an undefeated run as well, earning a 3-0-3 record over the last month and climbs one spot to No. 5.

More:   Commitments | Academy Showcase Coverage | Signing Day Coverage

National League break at U17

A jam-packed December for the top teams in this age group allowed for a respite from the club soccer calendar in the month of January.

Baltimore Celtic’s Dominic Duncan and Loudoun’s Giovanni Vasquez concluded their National League seasons topping the goal-scoring charts. With one weekend remaining for half the teams in the league, Duncan finished his senior season as the top scorer with eight goals, while Vasquez followed closely behind with six.

Whitecaps surge at U18

The top ten teams remain unchanged, but a team that might soon put an end to that streak is Vancouver Whitecaps. The Whitecaps jumped to a four point lead in the Development Academy Northwest Division (with a game in hand) on a 4-0-2 record in the month of January, jumping five spots to No. 11.

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.