Top talent was on display on Friday at USYS National League Arizona, as the boys showcase teams kicked off their weekend of action at Bell Bank Park, Powered by Legacy Sports USA in Mesa, Ariz.

Friday’s showcase games included many competitive matchups featuring teams in the 15U-19U boys age groups from the 13 National League Conferences, plus additional teams competing as part of the Legacy Sports USA showcase.

MORE: US Youth Boys Showcase Results

National League Arizona provides teams with a unique competitive environment, and many of the players are gaining valuable experience in performing in front of college coaches and scouts. Such was the case for 16U Oregon Premier FC 06B Academy (OR), which performed well in a 4-1 win on Friday.

Come for the Arizona ☀️, stay for the sights and sounds of day 1 of National League showcase games in Mesa 🎥 pic.twitter.com/VxNpllVbWX

— National League (@NationalLeague) March 12, 2022

“[This event] can change the whole story of their soccer career. We had four college coaches here today, and a couple of them were specifically interested in players they saw for the first time today,” Oregon Premier coach Mike Iacolucci said. “That can turn into a conversation that leads to where they end up playing the next four or fives years of their careers. That’s a big part of it. These are 06s, so they graduate in 2024. They’re still learning how to perform at that level in front of college coaches, but we need these opportunities to get them accustomed to that.”

Aside from the college exposure offered at National League Arizona, Iacolucci said the teams enjoy the variation in competition that allows the players to see how they match up against unfamiliar opponents.

“We try to take as many of these opportunities as we can to get out of Oregon and see what the regional and national competition looks like,” Iacolucci said. “It carries with it opportunities for the boys to learn off the field how to carry themselves and prepare for these sorts of events. On the field, it’s just fantastic to see different competition from around the country. We played an Alaska squad today. We play Ohio and Indiana the rest of the weekend. It’s invaluable. It’s fantastic.”

Showcase games will continue on Saturday, while the National League P.R.O. teams will compete in their first games of the event.

The action in Arizona features half of the boys National League P.R.O. teams in the 15U-19U age groups. Top-finishing National League P.R.O. teams (12 per gender age group) earn direct advancement to the USYS National Championships, and many of the results in Florida will determine which teams punch their tickets.

Some 🚀 strikes during today’s showcase action at NL Arizona! #EarnYourPlace 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/aIS29OZy6m

— National League (@NationalLeague) March 11, 2022