Today we unveil our latest update to TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, releasing 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.

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Baltimore Bays leap over competition at U16

Last month, Baltimore Bays Chelsea U16s were third in the USSDA Atlantic Division and 12th in our standings; what a difference a few weeks can make. BBC’s U16 Development Academy team is 4-0 since the last update, and hasn’t conceded a goal in its last seven matches. With the help of three goals each by class of 2015 grads Abdallah Bangura and Connor Smith in the last four matches, the #2 Bays have leapt past PDA and DC United, are now first in the Atlantic Division, and currently hold the second overall seed for the Development Academy playoffs.

Georgia United climbs from #23 to #17 after regaining second place in the USSDA Southeast Division. Tony Annan’s squad started the season well and climbed as high as 10th in our rankings last October, but had a bit of a mid-season slump. They have recovered well and with a win and a tie in the last month against conference leader CASL, are on their way to a seeded berth to the playoffs.

Olney BGC on its way at U17

Olney Boys and Girls Club Rangers remain #1 this month after advancing to the Region I Premier League semifinals on May 11, where they will play RIPL North winner Princeton Premier. IMG Academy 150 players #46 Bruno Scodari and #139 Jake Rozhansky, as well as regional standouts Jorge Quintanilla, Jony Karakbetyan, and Karl Brown will look to continue their winning ways when they partner with Bethesda SC and enter the US Soccer Development Academy’s Atlantic Division for the 2013-14 season.

New to the TeamRank Top 25 this month is #25 Pride SC Predators. The Colorado Springs-based Predators lead the Colorado Division of the Mountain Premier League with one game remaining, and have advanced to the semifinals of the US Youth Soccer Colorado State Cup.

PDA new #1 at U18

PDA’s Development Academy team has been at #2 almost the entire season, thanks to its lone loss to FC Delco back in November. #15 New England Revolution leveled the playing field by handing New York Red Bulls its first loss on April 21, and handing PDA the chance to become #1 in our rankings. With four games left in the regular season, it’s still anybody’s guess who will be the top seed heading into the Development Academy playoffs in June.

Next Thursday: U16, U17, and U18 Girls

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.