Blue Division

Some history has already been made in the Under-15 Blue Division, as Midwest United FC 01 Royal (MI) captured the division title by wrapping up a 7-0-0 season in Orlando. That feat had previously been accomplished by just six girls teams, and the Michigan side produced one of the highest-scoring campaigns while reaching that mark. Though the title is secured, there are still important matches left in the group, as several teams remain in contention for the division’s second ticket to the National Championships. That will be the main focus of the teams when they travel to Las Vegas to conclude their National League season.

Notable Teams

CUP Gold 00/01 (OH-S) — Entering the final weekend five points back of second place, CUP is in the best position of any side with games remaining to make its way into the top two. And the team has experience, as it took six points from its Vegas games a year ago to earn a ticket to Nationals.

HBC Impact 00 (NY-E) — The Eastern New York side is seven points behind second with three games to go, so it cannot afford a loss. However, a strong goal differential thus far could benefit HBC should it end up tied for second with OFC 01 Phillips (OK).

Greater Binghamton United FC (NY-W) — Like its New York neighbors, GBU has little margin for error in its pursuit of a second-place finish. It needs a win in each of its three remaining games, plus a little help, in order to make a run at a top-two finish.

*Midwest United FC 01 Royal (MI) — Midwest United is heading to Frisco, Texas, for the National Championships after a dominant National League showing.

*OFC 01 Phillips (OK) — OFC is currently in second place and has a five point cushion on the next contender. It tied both CUP and HBC, so goal differential may come into play in the event of a tiebreaker.

*Team has completed all seven games and will not be playing in Las Vegas.

Game to Watch

March 19, CUP Gold 00/01 (OH-S) vs. HBC Impact 00 (NY-E)
This is a pretty clear choice to be the most influential matchup within the Blue Division in Las Vegas. Should both teams win on Friday, this game will have major implications into who punches a ticket to Nationals. CUP could potentially lock up that spot with a win in this matchup, while HBC could jump past the Ohio South side with a victory when the two sides meet. A tie between the two teams would help idle OFC in its hopes to hold on to second place, and it would set up an exciting final day of play within the group. But don’t overlook Friday’s games, as CUP and HBC each need to be on top of their games to stay on course for a top-two spot.

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Red Division

Nothing has been decided in the Under-15 Red Division, as both of the top spots are still up for grabs heading into the final weekend in Las Vegas. Each of the teams currently sitting in the top two positions have completed all of their games and have a fairly significant lead on those who will be chasing them. That means the teams competing in Vegas will need to be aggressive as they look to close the gap on the leaders. Expect some of the games to open up, with teams realizing they need to pick up three points and may not have the luxury of settling for draws.

Notable Teams

Legends FC 00 (CA-S) — The defending National Champions are one of the sides chasing the leaders. They sit six points back of second place and have the experience to make up that gap and potentially challenge for the division title.

FC Pride 01 Elite (IN) —FC Pride has good memories of playing in Vegas after three wins in March last season led to a top-two finish. A similar performance this year won’t come easy, but the Indiana side knows what it takes to make up ground in the season’s final weekend. It will need to do so to overcome the six points currently standing between it and second place.

*Sunrise Sting 00/01 (FL) — Sunrise used a strong defensive effort to claim seven points at each National League weekend and climb into first place. The Florida side is in pretty good shape, as a loss by either Legends or FC Pride in Vegas will guarantee Sunrise a berth to Nationals.

*Campton United Navy (IL) — Campton will be keeping a close eye on the games in Vegas, as it owns a six-point advantage on both Legends and FC Pride. The Illinois side has the advantage of a head-to-head win over FC Pride, but it opened the season with a narrow 1-0 loss to Legends.  

*Team has completed all seven games and will not be playing in Las Vegas.

Game to Watch

March 19, Legends FC 00 (CA-S) vs. FC Pride 01 Elite (IN)
There are several factors that make this a game to circle on the schedule. Legends and FC Pride both enter the final weekend in position to make a run at the top two, and potentially a division title. In addition to the pure importance to this game within the Red Division, both teams have experience on the national stage and have even faced each other in such circumstances. Legends won a group game, 2-0, when the teams met at the 2015 National Championships. Both sides went on to advance out of the group — with Legends eventually claiming the National title — so they each have shown an ability to excel in pressure situations.

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Other Notes

The following Under-15 players were selected for the U.S. Under-15 Girls National Team camp in February and March: Vanessa Buso (Legends FC 00); Savianna Gomez (Beach Academy); Samantha Meza (Dallas Kicks)

Hensley Hancuff (OFC 01 Phillips) was selected for the U.S. Under-16 Girls National Team camp in February.

The following Under-15 players participated in the 2016 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls National Camp in January: Julia Hannon (HBC Impact); Regan Berg, Khloe Hayes (Midwest United); Aliyah El-Naggar (CUP); Chloe Laureano (Sunrise Sting); Michelle Slater (Dallas Kicks); Ava Benedetti (FCSC Nemesis)

Johanna Bozic and Hannah Lapeire (FC United) were on the Illinois 2000 roster at the 2016 US Youth Soccer ODP Championships.

Shadae Nicholas, Mackenzie Roach and Alexa Wojnovich (TFCA) were on the North Carolina 2000 roster at the 2016 US Youth Soccer ODP Championships.