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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U16 back in action

Vancouver Whitecaps suffered just their second loss on the season in the month of January, falling to Strikers FC in cross-divisional action on January 17. Even with the loss, the Whitecaps remain 12 points ahead of their nearest competitor in the Development Academy Northwest Division and retain the No. 2 spot in our rankings. In the West Conference’s Southwest Division, LA Galaxy is on a 5-0-1 run and 3-0-1 in the month of January. Led by MLS homegrown prospect Ethan Zubak, who has 18 goals in 18 games, the Galaxy ticks up a notch to No. 4.

Solar Chelsea enters the rankings this month at No. 20 after taking over the second spot in the Frontier Division standings. Solar has a game in hand to current third place Real Colorado (No. 23), and with a full slate of matches on the schedule in the month of February and Real Colorado idle, is likely to extend its lead heading into spring.

More:  IMG Academy 150 rankings | Homegrown Watch | Commitments

Spring season prep at U17

Spring season begins in the coming month, and teams are busy preparing for regional league play as well as for the final weekend of the US Youth Soccer National League in March. Check back with us next month for updates on this age group.

New No. 1 at U18

Real Salt Lake AZ takes over the top spot this month after an incredible run in January handed them the best record in the Development Academy to this point in the season.  RSL went 4-0, scoring 21 goals with zero goals against, with MLS homegrown Brooks Lennon earning a hat trick in two of the four matches.

Capital Area Railhawks-CASL climbs four spots to No. 15 after topping the Southeast Division standings and earning key wins against No. 16 Kendall SC and No. 20 Weston FC. Dominic Jensen, a North Carolina recruit and the IMG Academy 150 No. 61-ranked player in the class of 2015, bagged the game winner against Kendall plus an insurance goal in the final 10 minutes to secure the victory. But there are five teams within shooting range of the top in this highly competitive conference. Weston FC, No. 22 Concorde Fire, and Orlando City all have a chance at the title before the end of May.

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.