Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Update

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Update
by Caroline Yort
November 21, 2013

Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, releasing the latest standings for U13, U14 and U15 Boys. Next week, we will update the younger age groups on the Girls side. We will update our Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 for each age group at least once per month.

(scroll down for system details)

WAZA, Kendall new at U13

It might be a difficult task to knock FC Golden State PDA 01 and New York Red Bulls Academy from their perches atop this age group, but several teams are making a go of it and climbing the ranks in the process.

Baltimore Celtic Dynasty finished the fall season with a perfect 7-0-0 record in the Eastern Development Program’s south division with a goal differential of +34, and climbs from No. 12 to No. 7. Dynasty had a recent loss to Lehigh Valley United in non-league action which keeps them out of the top five.

Two teams debut this month after successful league seasons in the fall. WAZA FC’s Midwest Developmental League team currently leads the MDL’s Erie West division with a 10-0-1 record including a win over Michigan Hawks and a draw with Chicago Magic PSG. WAZA has earned eight shutouts in league play and debuts at No. 20. Kendall SC White finished the South Florida UYSA season in first place, is undefeated in the NPL Florida Premier League, and enters the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank at No. 25.

New top three at U14

New York Red Bulls are the new No. 1 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25. The Red Bulls are undefeated in Development Academy play, the lone draw to No. 8 Philadelphia Union the only blemish on their record. La Galaxy’s U14 Academy climbs from No. 5 to No. 2 and has amassed 41 goals so far this season in an 8-1-1 overall record, nine of those from former Maui United forward Noa Harrisson. Harrison was a standout on the US Youth Soccer Region IV team before moving to southern California last year and is currently ranked No. 54 in the IMG Academy 150 for the class of 2017. Chicago Fire Academy takes the third spot in this month’s ranking, with a 10-0-3 record and a win over No. 5 Chicago Magic in September.

New to the rankings with this update is No. 23 Chivas USA’s U14 Development Academy squad. Highlighted for its smooth play at the West Coast Showcase, Chivas USA is undefeated on the season, and has earned draws against No. 2 LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Futbol Academy.

USYS National League teams take over top spots at U15

With Pateadores San Diego struggling to follow up its Surf Cup championship with a top finish in the Southern California Developmental Soccer League, three teams that start their season today at the U.S. Youth Soccer National League take over the top of the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25. Penn Fusion moves up from No. 2 to No. 1, and will face #21 Albion SC to begin National League play. No. 2 Michigan Wolves will be tested out of the gate as they face No. 8 Solar Chelsea Red. Solar climbs from No. 9 to No. 7 after winning the Region III Premier League West Division along with a second place finish in Southern Premier League play. Finally, Loudoun FC Red, who moves up two spots to No. 3, emerged as repeat Virginia Youth Soccer State Cup champion at the end of October, conceding only one goal throughout the tournament thanks to stellar goalkeeping from Colin Shutler. Loudoun will face United FC Gold from southern California.

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Girls

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 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.

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IMG Academy Top 150 Rankings
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