Today we unveil our latest update to TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide. Today we release the latest standings for U16, U17 and U18 Boys. Next week, we will update the younger age groups on the Girls side. We will update our National ranking of each age group at least once per month.

(scroll down for system details)

U16s Unbeaten Academy

The New York Red Bulls remain #1 this month and remain undefeated in Development Academy play. With nine different goal scorers in just five games, this team will present a problem for opposing defenses as the season progresses. 

Also in the undefeated category are #2 FC Dallas and #3 DC United. FC Dallas remains at #2 in the early portion of the Development Academy season, and while they may be 3-0 and leading the Frontier Division, four goals against in just three games leaves speculation that the MLS side might have some holes defensively.  DC United, on the other hand, has given up only four goals in six games (with a goal differential of +17), remains perfect on the season, and looks to be the clear leader in the Atlantic Division.

On the heels of FC Dallas in the Frontier Division is #4 Sporting Kansas City. The rankings will get a true test when these two teams face each other in Kansas City on November 3.

Finally, climbing from #10 to #5 is Real Salt Lake AZ Academy. The residential academy is six points ahead of its closest competitor in the always-strong Southwest Division.

Jaguars top U17s

Our rankings for the top teams in the U17 age group remain virtually unchanged from September’s update, due to the high school hiatus. There is an exception, however, at the #4 spot.  West Coast FC is spending the fall, not on break, but climbing the ranks of youth soccer in Southern California (and nationally, for that matter), and is currently undefeated in the Southern California Developmental SL. West Coast will compete against the rest of the top 5 (#1 Michigan Jaguars, #2 Cincinnati United Premier Crew Juniors Gold, #3 Soccer Domain FC Gauchos, and #5 Lehigh Valley United 95) when the US Youth Soccer National league begins in November.

Top ten showdowns set for November

After a quiet start, the Red Bulls have been raging through their competition on the way to a 4-0-1 record in the Development Academy, a 1^st place standing in the Northeast Division, and a continued #1 ranking. NYRB has scored 17 times since that 1-1 draw against Empire Revolution, with five of them coming from forward Ismar Tandir.

PDA climbs from #5 to #2 this month with a 4-0 record in the DA’s Atlantic Division. PDA has already beaten some stiff competition in #21 Baltimore Bays Chelsea and #5 PA Classics, but will face #3 DC United on November 17, which may be the toughest test to date. DC United falls slightly from #2 to #3 primarily due to that stiff Atlantic Division competition.  The MLS side lost to PA Classics on September 22 by a 2-0 scoreline.

Completing the top five this month are LA Galaxy at #4, and the aforementioned PA Classics at #5. The Galaxy trail #6 Real Salt Lake AZ in the Southwest Division, but RSL has a game in hand, and the two teams meet on November 17^th, so, depending on the outcome of that matchup, there may be some top five changes in next month’s rankings.

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 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.