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

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Showcase performances boost rankings at U16

Oregon based Crossfire United extended its record to 5-0 in its first season in the ECNL, and debuts at No. 19 with this update. The team travelled southeast to the Florida showcase, earning a 2-1 result over No. 20 Concorde Fire on goals by team-leader Haley Clark and 2017 regionally-ranked standout Monet Kunz.

Richmond United ECNL also went 5-0 in the month of December, and improves its record to 8-2-4 overall, lifting its ranking into the top 25 at No. 22. During the course of the season, Richmond has earned two draws against Grande Sports Academy TeamRank No. 18 and ECNL Chesapeake Division leader FC Virginia, and went undefeated at the Florida showcase. Leading the way are top scorer Taylor Guy as well as two standout midfielders, Gabrielle Johnson and TDS Raleigh Combine alumna Morgan Hall.

More: ECNL Scoreboard | IMG Academy 150 Rankings | College Commitments

Internationals debut at U17

PDA extended its unbeaten streak in Florida to 5-0-1 overall and its goal differential to 22, although the New Jersey squad did concede its first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Dallas Sting. Sean Sinko, a Michigan recruit, minds the net for PDA, which rises from No. 5 to No. 3 with this update.

Internationals SC is off to a good start in the 2014-15 season and debuts at No. 25. ISC leads the ECNL’s Ohio Valley Division and boasted a 3-0 record at the Florida Showcase, which included a 3-1 win over home side No. 18 Orlando City. Coach Zdravko Popovic has a wealth of talent at his disposal in this age group, with IMG Academy 150 standouts and US Soccer youth national team members Alyssa Baumbick (No. 35) and Grace Bahr (No. 44) leading the way. Top regional players Gabriele Kouzelos, Christina Trickett, and TDS New England Combine alum Katherine Waghorn have contributed to the team’s success as well, while 2018 standout goalkeeper/forward Jordan Brewster (No. 85 in the IMG Academy 150) contributed a goal and an assist playing up two age groups with the squad back in November.

Stars rise at U18

FC Stars of Massachusetts climbs four spots to No. 7 this month after a good start to the season and a superior performance at the Florida Showcase. The Stars limited GSA’s prolific duo of Jennifer Westendorf and Ella Stevens to a single goal in its first match in Florida, while scoring three of its own to hand GSA its first loss since October 11, and to lift the Stars’ record to 5-0-1 overall. Jason Dewhurst’s squad has a two month winter break ahead, but hopefully will be able to continue its run into the spring season.

 

Next Thursday: U13, U14, and U15 Boys

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.