Grande Sports U16-U18 TeamRank update

Grande Sports U16-U18 TeamRank update
by Caroline Yort
July 14, 2016

With this, the final monthly release of the Grande Sports TeamRank Top 25 for the 2015-16 season, we release the latest standings for U16, U17 and U18 Girls. Next week, we will update the younger age groups on the Boys side. We will update our National Top 25 of each age group at least once per month.

(scroll down for system details)

Undefeated run at U16

PDA finished the ECNL season undefeated and still No. 1, a rare feat in such a difficult national league. But not only did the New Jersey side finish without a loss, but the goalkeeping duo of Grace Barbara and Meagan McClelland conceded just seven goals the entire year. 

Real Colorado climbs five spots to finish the season at No. 2. Real lost to Crossfire Premier in the final match of the regular season, but emerged the victor in the ECNL semifinal before succumbing to PDA to finish as runner up.

More: Commitments | ECNL Playoffs + Finals Coverage

Surf surges at U17

San Diego Surf finished the regular season in third place in the Southwest Conference standings, but finished the year in fourth place in the Grande Sports TeamRank Top 25. A second half of the season surge, helped at least in part by the return of star forward Catarina Macario, helped Surf make an ECNL semifinal run.

Slammers made a run of its own to end the season at No. 8. After finishing behind Surf in the Southwest Conference standings, Slammers got past Minnesota Thunder, TSC Hurricane, CASL, and Colorado Storm before succumbing to eventual champion Michigan Hawks in the semifinal.

Texans climb at U18

Dallas Texans finished their final youth regular season in second place in the ECNL Texas Conference and at No. 16 in our standings. A productive run to finish, with a loss to eventual champion Slammers the only thing that stood in the way, Texans land at No. 8.

Michigan Hawks made a leap of their own, climbing to No. 2. After earning two losses to former No. 1 Eclipse Select to end the ECNL regular season, the Hawks swept group play at the ECNL finals, then earned some redemption against Eclipse in the semifinal before falling 2-0 to Slammers in the championship match.

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Boys

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.

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