Today we continue unveiling our latest update to TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide. The latest release is for U16, U17 and U18 Boys. June 7th, we will update the older age groups on the Girls side. We will update our National Top 50 of each age group at least once per month.

(scroll down for system details)

U16: PDA - playoff #1 seed?

Players Development Academy takes over the top spot this month with the best overall record (18-1-2) in the USSF Development Academy, the best points per game average, and the only team with just a single loss on the season. With five conference games remaining and one of those against #15 Albertson SC, we’ll have to wait to see if the New Jersey club is awarded the overall top seed in the playoffs.

Crew Soccer Academy Wolves drops to #3 after a less-than-stellar performance in May. The Michigan side lost its first matches of the season to Indiana United Fire and Chicago Fire, but retains the 3rd best points per game average in the Development Academy.

Dallas Texans move up to the #2 spot with two games remaining, and South Carolina United Battery and Chicago Fire round out the top 5. The Battery conclude their regular season with games against Weston FC and Kendall SC the weekend of June 9th.

Eastside FC still leading U17

Washington state club Eastside FC is remains #1 following their triumph in the Red Division of the U.S. Youth Soccer National League.  Coach Dan Strom’s team went 6-1-0 on the season and books a place in the U.S. Youth Nationals this summer in South Carolina. 

It’s U.S. Youth Soccer State Cup season for those not fortunate enough to earn their bid to Nationals via the National League, and Albion SC has regained its #2 spot in our standings by cruising to a 3-0 victory over Fullerton Rangers White in the Cal South National Cup final. The San Diego club will travel to Phoenix next month for the Region IV Championships. Although SC del Sol 95B Armstrong dismantled Albion last month in the Far West Regional League final, the Phoenix-area team has slipped to #3 in our standings after a loss in the Arizona State Cup final to Sereno SC.

Two Illinois clubs round out the top 5. #4 Galaxy SC has also booked a spot at the U.S. Youth Nationals this summer via the National League, and recently topped #5 Raiders FC in the Illinois State Cup. The two teams are still battling for the lead in the National Premier League’s NISL division, with Raiders FC currently holding the top spot.

Chicago Fire takes over at #1 for U18 

Chicago Fire is still undefeated in the Central Conference’s Great Lakes Division, and overtakes LA Galaxy for the top spot. The Fire hasn’t dropped a match since its first two games of the season, and with the best points-per-game average in the Development Academy, it’s likely to be one of the top seeds in the playoffs in June. #2 LA Galaxy retains the top wild card spot for the Development Academy playoffs, but only needs one point to overtake Real Salt Lake AZ for a conference bid to the postseason.

FC Dallas’ losses to Texans SC Houston and Texas Rush have dropped the MLS club to #3, while MLS’s Chivas USA keeps rolling past its opponents and retains our #4 ranking. Baltimore Bays Chelsea vaults into the #5 spot having not dropped a match in its last 14 outings. BBC has a 2.24 points-per-game average and is undefeated in Mid-Atlantic Division play.

June 7: U16, U17, 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.