Blue Division

The Under-18 Blue Division features a little bit of everything heading into the final weekend of play. It has a team on top that must wait and see if results in Las Vegas keep it in the top two. The group features not one, but two teams entering the final weekend with hopes of earning a rare perfect 7-0-0 record — but both must first make sure they take care of business to secure a top-two spot and the accompanying ticket to the National Championships. And it has a couple of teams competing in Vegas with hopes of an unlikely run to climb the table and finish in the top two. With so many variables, it will be an exciting weekend of soccer in the Blue Division.

Notable Teams

Carlsbad Elite 97/98 (CA-S) — Carlsbad is one of the 4-0-0 teams, and it has a chance to go down as one of the most successful teams in National League history. It has not conceded a goal in 12 straight National League games and has outscored opponents, 61-to-9, in 25 league games. If it takes care of business in Vegas, Carlsbad could capture its fourth division title — adding to its current record.

Kings Hammer Academy Red (OH-S) — KHA owns the other 4-0-0 record and is in position to challenge Carlsbad the for the division title. The Ohio South side was among the highest-scoring teams in North Carolina, and it will need to be focused from the start in Las Vegas. KHA begins with games against two Cal South sides after making the long trip from Ohio to Nevada.

Tennessee SC 16 (TN) and Legends FC 97 (CA-S) — Both of these teams are in the same boat. They need every point possible from the games in Las Vegas, along with some help in the other matchups, in order to have a chance at finishing in the top two.

*Syracuse Development Academy 97/98 (NY-W) — Syracuse is currently in first with a three-point advantage on both Carlsbad and Kings Hammer. It’s going to need to hope at least one of those teams stumble in order to remain in the top two when play wraps up in Las Vegas.

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

Game to Watch

March 19, Carlsbad Elite 97/98 (CA-S) vs. KHA Red (OH-S)
When looking at the race for the Blue Division title, this is an obvious game to highlight. Both teams enter the weekend with perfect records and in prime position to contend for the division title. The potential for Carlsbad to earn its fourth division crown in as many chances adds some extra intrigue to the title race. Before either side can focus on the division title, however, they must earn the points to pass Syracuse and secure a top-two spot. If either team stumbles in its opening matchup, that could put some extra pressure on that team to pick up points in this game and avoid the stress of an all-or-nothing match on the season’s final day.

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Red Division

It’s very rare for both first and second place to be wrapped up before the final weekend of play, but that’s the case in the Under-18 Red Division. What’s even more remarkable is the teams who are looking up at the leaders — Beach FC Academy 97 (CA-S) and Tampa Bay United 97 Premier (FL) — have competed for the last two National Championships in this age group. But impressive performances by MD United Coyotes (MD) and NJ Stallions Dynamite (NJ) have left the reigning finalists needing to capture their respective US Youth Soccer Regional Championships in order to return to Nationals. Meanwhile, the Coyotes and Stallions will represent the Red Division this summer in Frisco, Texas.

Notable Teams

Beach FC Academy 97 (CA-S) — Though the best it can finish is third place, Beach can gain some valuable momentum entering its US Youth Soccer State Cup. The team may also regain the services of Savannah DeMelo, who missed North Carolina’s action while on U.S. Under-20 National Team duty.

*MD United Coyotes (MD) — The Coyotes used a 3-2 win against NJ Stallions in Orlando to capture the division crown. Now, the Maryland side can set its sights on playing for its second National title after capturing the Under-14 crown in 2012.

*NJ Stallions Dynamite (NJ) — After a third-place finish in the league last year, the Stallions took care of business this season to secure a berth to Nationals as the Red Division runner-up. Along the way, they got some payback against Beach and Tampa Bay — who each advanced out of the Stallions’ group at the 2015 National Championships — by picking up victories against both sides in Red Division action.

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

Game to Watch

March 20, Beach FC Academy 97 (CA-S) vs. Albion USA 97/98 (CA-S)
The top two spots in the Red Division may be wrapped up, but there are still some interesting matchups remaining in Las Vegas. This game features a pair of familiar foes in Cal South sides Beach FC and Albion. It is also a rematch of a 2014 US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships quarterfinal that helped Beach begin its superb two-year run on the national stage. With each side needing to go through Cal South and Region IV in order to reach this year’s National Championships, this game could serve as the foundation for building some confidence and momentum heading into those competitions.    

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Other Notes

Savannah DeMelo was selected for the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team roster for the La Manga Tournament. DeMelo previously helped the U-20 WNT win the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and participated in a U-20 WNT camp in January.

The following Under-18 players were selected for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team camp in December: Kaylan Marckese (Tampa Bay United); Taylor Bennett (Syracuse Development Academy)

The following Under-18 players were named to the 2015 NSCAA Girls’ Fall High School All-American Team: Toni Bizzarro, Lexi Carrier (KHA Red); Nia Dorsey, Juliana Comer, Kia Rankin (MD United); Casey Richards, Jillian Vassallo (NJ Stallions); Jade Gentile (Syracuse Development Academy)