Colorado matchups are always a heated affair in the Rocky Mountain State.

This upcoming meeting in the Development Academy is going to be no different, as the Colorado Rush and Rapids square off for the second time in eight days.

 “I think because we’re still a bit of the new kid on the block, and because we’re the pro club in town, the other groups also have a little more incentive, a little more bite when they come see us,” Rapids U18 head coach Brian Crookham told TopDrawerSoccer.com.

The fact that both sides played each other the previous weekend adds a unique wrinkle to this meeting, with the Rush winning both games a week ago, U18s by a 2-1 score line, and the U16s 4-2.

Crookham is expecting a similar challenge when they two meet again this Friday evening.

“I thought Rush were very assertive in the way they approached the game and they were ready to do what they needed to do last weekend and I think we’ll see the exact same thing,” he said.

The Rapids U18s currently hold the top spot in the Frontier Division, just a point ahead of the Rush, while the Rapids have played two more games in the Division. The stakes aren’t quite the same for the U16s, as the Rush sits fifth and the Rapids in last place.

But the U18 battle is sure to be a fierce one, with midfielder Dillon Serna and forward Shane O’Neill expected to do the heavy lifting for the Rapids, while the Rush can hope Matt Marchena and Ruben Siguenza can drive the offense.

 

South Conference

Charlotte Soccer Academy has another chance to continue its climb up the Atlantic Division standings when they take on Carolina-rival CASL Chelsea this weekend. It won’t come easy against a CASL side that has yet to suffer defeat in the division, and an 18s side trailing Charlotte by seven points in the standings but has three games in hand.

Also in the Atlantic Division, North Meck and the North Carolina Fusion. Both are trying to fight for a playoff spot, either by the Division or through the Wild Card Race.

 

Central Conference

A big road trip lies ahead for the Indiana United Fire Academy.

The club travels to the Chicago region, where they’ll square off against the Magic and Fire in hopes of gaining ground on the Fire, whose U18s sit first in the Great Lakes Division and whose U16s sit second.

“I think both teams are going to present different challenges to us. Both teams from everything that we’ve heard, both are very, very good,” Indiana United U16 coach Adam Brah told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I think this will be one of those weekends where the weekend ends and we’ll have a very good idea where we’ll stand as a team going forward.”

A full six points could give Indiana a shot at first in the division, and it’s going to be up to the likes of Travis Wannemuehler and Rece Buckmaster to help the team this weekend.

Two other teams in the Great Lakes Division look to gain ground out in Ohio, as Crew Soccer Academy and Internationals do battle on Sunday. Both need to start winning soon to have a shot at the playoffs.

One week after clinching the Texas Division, FC Dallas’ U18s are back in action as they take on the Texas Rush.

 

West Conference

The SoCal Division features a clash of two of the top three teams at the U18 age group when Real Salt Lake-AZ hosts LA Galaxy. The stakes are that much higher at the U16 level as well, with RSL sitting first and the Galaxy in second. Making the clash even bigger is the fact that they play each other on both Saturday and Sunday.

Pateadores U18s will be looking to pounce on any team’s dropped points this weekend when they take on Arsenal FC as well.

 

East Conference

Action is perhaps thickest in the Northeast as clubs that were on hiatus for high school soccer earlier in the year get to the heart of their schedules. The New England Revolution Academy takes to the road to play Maryland sides Potomac and Baltimore Bays Chelsea.

It’s also a battle for bragging rights – and a spot in the standings – when FC Delco and PA Classics square off. Neither side has yet to open its Mid-Atlantic Division schedule, adding weight to an already fierce rivalry. FC Delco U16 striker George Tsirukis could play a key role as he looks to add to his 11 goals from 15 games.