The top teams from around the Midwest are heading to the Badlands to see who will represent Region II at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships. The Midwest Regionals begin Saturday in South Dakota.

Following is a breakdown of group matchups for the younger boys’ age groups.

A U13 Carmel United player.

U13

Louisville-area club United 1996 FC will be in Group A along with Carmel United, KCFC Futura Academy and KC Wizards Juniors. In Group B, Michigan Wolves look to collide with Chicago G-Force, Wisconsin winners Bavarian Juniors and Nebraska club Gladiators. In Group C, Cincinnati United Premier will face Ambassadors FC (Ohio North), Rushmore SC (South Dakota) and Minnesota Thunder Academy. Cedar River SA (Iowa) and Red River Titans of North Dakota are listed alone in Group D.

U14

Midwest Regional League qualifiers Michigan Wolves highlight Group A along with Minnesota Thunder Academy and Illinois heavyweights Chicago Wind. Dakota United completes the group.  In Group B, Team Ohio (Ohio North) and Everest SC (Ohio South) will collide with Illinois side and MRL qualifiers Lemont Raiders plus Kansas winners Blue Valley SC. In Group C, Indiana winners Carmel United meet Waza FC (Michigan), Azzuri Italia (Nebraska) and FC Magic of Wisconsin. In Group D, Iowa’s JUSC faces off with St. Louis Scott Gallagher, FC Seekers of South Dakota and United 1996 of Kentucky.

U15

Minnesota Thunder Academy are in Group A along with Michigan winners Grand Rapids Crew, Chicago Fire Juniors and Dakota United. In Group B, Ohio side and MRL qualifier Blast FC meets Elm Grove Premier (Wisconsin), St.Louis Scott Gallagher and Dakota Gold. Cincinnati United Premier are in Group C along with Indiana champions Westside United, Gladiator FC (Nebraska) and JUSC of Iowa. Michigan giants Vardar, an MRL qualifier, lead Group D and will face Toledo Football Academy, KC Wizards Juniors and Mockingbird White of Kentucky.

Play begins Saturday, with group matches also taking place Sunday and Monday. Only group winners advance. Semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday and finals on Wednesday. The winners in U14 through U18 age groups advance to the National Championship Series Finals July 22-27 in Lancaster, Mass.

Also on TopDrawerSoccer.com:

Region II Older Boys preview
Region II Older Girls preview
Region II Younger Girls preview