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Real So Cal debuts at U13

All but a couple of teams in the top 25 at this age group are on a much needed winter hiatus from the harsh winter weather, opting instead for various forms of the sport in an indoor arena’s controlled climate. Real So Cal White, however had a 2-0 win in the Southern California Developmental Soccer League against Surf Thanksgiving Tournament semifinalist Arsenal Elite to improve its record to 11-3 and remain on top of the Flight 1 North standings. Real So Cal also earned a positive result against No. 4 Legends FC 01 at that Surf tourney, and climbs into the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25 at No. 25.

Light schedule at U14

Solar Chelsea ECNL suffered its first loss of the season, but holds on to the top spot due to its head-to-head defeat of No. 2 San Diego Surf last month at the Phoenix Showcase. FC Dallas topped No. 1 Solar on a brace by Hailey Davidson and an additional goal by Maya McCutcheon to improve to 10-2-3 on the season and No. 13 in our rankings.

Bethesda SC has a 10 point lead in the Ohio Valley Division after getting six points on two Mid-Atlantic Conference wins in the month of December. David Greene’s squad took care of business against No. 23 CASL as well as NC Fusion and climbs three spots to No. 18.

Richmond United, Indiana Fire debut at U15

The ECNL Florida showcase proved to be just that for Indiana Fire and Richmond United, two teams making their first appearance in the top 25 with this update. Both teams went undefeated on the weekend, the Fire with a 2-0-1 record to improve to 4-1-2 overall, and Richmond United with a clean sweep at 3-0, improving to 9-1-4. Joe Sochacki’s Fire sits atop the Ohio Valley Division standings at the mid-season break, and debuts at No. 25.

The first season for the merged effort between Richmond Strikers and Richmond Kickers out of Virginia has been a good one, especially at this age group. With roughly two-thirds of the season in the bag, Richmond United has produced two of the most prolific scorers in the ECNL U15 age group in Paige Franks, ranked No. 63 in the IMG Academy Top 150 for the Class of 2018, and McKinley Burkett, a regional standout. The duo have combined for 37 goals in 14 matches (just four shy of the team’s total), and Burkett’s 21 goals is second only to Charlotte SA’s Courtney Walker, who has six additional matches under her belt. Richmond’s loss to McLean in the first match of the season remains its only blemish, its 9-1-4 overall record lifting the team to No. 19 in the Grande Sports Academy TeamRank Top 25.

Next week: U16, U17, U18 Boys update

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.