Today we unveil our latest update to Grande Sports Academy TeamRank, the comprehensive ranking system for elite club soccer teams nationwide, releasing the latest standings for U16, U17 and U18 Boys. Next week, we will update the older age groups on the Girls side. We will update our National Top 25 for each age group at least once per month.

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New teams rank at U16

Vancouver Whitecaps started the season 4-0-1 in September, and looked to be a top ranked team if the streak continued. However, the Canadian squad hit a rough patch in October, going 0-2-2 for the month, dropping it out of consideration for the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 for the time being. The MLS-based academy has since righted the ship with four straight wins, including a 2-0 performance over No. 5 PDA at the Development Academy Showcase in Florida on goals by Aymar Sigue and Thomas Gardner, and debuts in the rankings at No. 19.

Pateadores Academy is not new to the rankings, but re-enters this month at No. 23 after a one-month layoff. The Pats struggled to start the season, but have been gaining momentum and have climbed back into third in the Southwest Conference standings. Wins over NJSA 04 and FC Bolts Celtic at the DA Showcase highlighted their play in December.

Non-National League teams highlight at U17

The US Youth Soccer National League continued its season at the Disney Showcase over the holiday, but it was the play of non-National League teams that highlight the changes to the rankings this month. Smithtown Kickers remain undefeated in National League play, clinching a spot at the US Youth Soccer National Championships next summer, and therefore remain at No. 1 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25. But Arlington Strikers Red, who entered the rankings just last month, handed the Kickers a defeat in the Disney final. The Strikers will have to win the USYS Region I championship to have a chance at a national title, but defeating last year’s champion is definitely a step in the right direction, and the Strikers climb from No. 24 to No. 18.

Boca United Gold climbs from No. 19 to No. 14 this month after beating National League veteran squad GSA in the final of the Showcase Black division at Disney. GSA went 3-0 in National League play at the showcase, and remains at No. 3, but fell to the Region III Premier League-East champion in the final.

U18 New York Red Bulls back at No. 1

Last month’s showcase showdown proved to be just that, a tight match between the two top teams in the Development Academy standings. New York Red Bulls came back from a 1-0 deficit in the first half to take the match as well as No. 1 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25. TopDrawerSoccer New York Combine alumnus and Virginia commit Derrick Etienne provided the tying goal in the 55^th minute, with Alex Tejera adding the game winner for the Red Bulls just six minutes later.

Chicago Fire breaks into the top 10 this month at No. 8. The Fire has only one loss on the season, to No. 11 Shattuck St. Mary’s back in October, and is on a seven game win streak, including a dominating performance at the Development Academy Showcase against top 10 opponents. The Fire’s play on the weekend was highlighted by the performance of forward Jeffery Farina, a Notre Dame commit and IMG Academy 150 standout whose three goals earned him a nod as one of the best XI at the event.

Next Thursday: U16, U17, and U18 Girls

Grande Sports Academy TeamRank 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.