BLACK DIVISION

With a perfect record of seven wins and no defeats, Campton United 1 (IL) claimed the 18U Black Division title in Bradenton, Fla. Despite the berth to the National Championships being off the line, the four teams competing in Las Vegas still have the power to determine their destiny for the 2018-19 National League season as the top two teams will secure a spot for next year.

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Sitting in third place, Celtic FC 00 Premier (UT) is the closest to the top with its 3-1-0 record. Rebels SC Elite (CA-S) and MapleBrook Fury (MN) each hold 2-2-0 records and both have the opportunity to move up in the standings. Beadling 2000 Elite (PA-W) will also look to compete after some unfavorable games in Wilson, N.C.

Game to Watch
March 18, Celtic FC 00 Premier (UT) vs. Rebels SC Elite (CA-S)
As Rebels SC and MapleBrook have similar records, both of the match-ups against Celtic FC could be suitable games to watch. However, with Rebels SC’s slightly better goal differential, the battle between the Cal South side and Celtic FC could be the deciding game in determining who finishes in second place in the division.

BLUE DIVISION

With six wins and one loss, Princeton SA (NJ) put itself eight points ahead of the other teams to hold onto the first place spot in the 18U Blue Division. However, with three games remaining for four teams, the division winner is still undecided. Sunrise Sting 2000 (FL) has the only chance to surpass Princeton, as the Florida side currently sits in second with 10 points. Sunrise Sting will have to face Legends FC 00 South (CA-S), who has a 3-1-0 record on the season. Joining the two teams is Greater Seattle Surf 00A (WA), who has seven points entering the final weekend and will be fighting for a chance to return for the 2018-19 season.

Game to Watch
March 16, Sunrise Sting 2000 (FL) vs. Legends FC 00 South (CA-S)
The top two Blue Division teams competing in Las Vegas will face each other right off the bat with a game on Friday. While Sunrise Sting has been able to convert 14 goals, Legends FC has only allowed three. It will be a test to see who can use their strength —Sunrise Sting’s offense and Legends FC’s defense — to come out with the win. Sunrise must win each of its three remaining games to take first place, so this one could get the momentum rolling.

RED DIVISION

While three teams stand in the way of Scottsdale Blackhawks Taylor (AZ) and PacNW 00 Maroon (WA), both teams still have a chance to make their way to the top of the 18U Red Division. These two teams both have 2-1-1 records, and their goal is to catch Sporting Omaha FC Elite 2000 (NE), who has 14 points for the season. It is a doable task for Scottsdale and PacNW, but they will have to bring everything to the table in order to claim that spot. D’Feeter Kicks 00 (TX-N) will need three wins to catch Sporting, but an earlier loss to Nebraska side means the kicks can’t finish as the division winner. Meanwhile, Livermore Fusion (CA-N) will be fighting for its return for the 2018-19 National League season.

Game to Watch
March 16, Scottsdale Blackhawks Taylor (AZ) vs. PacNW 00 Maroon (WA)
With similar records and so much on the line, this match-up could be a close battle. Neither side can afford a loss in the pursuit of the division title. While PacNW has converted 12 goals, it has also allowed 12, taking its matches to high-scoring levels. On the other side, Scottsdale has seven goals on the season and has conceded four. As goal differential isn’t a tell-all factor, anything could happen during the first day of the Las Vegas weekend when these two teams meet.

WHITE DIVISION

Despite four teams in the 18U White Division finishing their National League season in Bradenton, Fla., HBC Impact 00 (NY-E) did well in North Carolina to be undefeated and remain in first place with its final three games still to be played. Legends FC 00 Academy 2 (CA-S) sits three points behind HBC with a  3-1-0 record and has the closest shot of pulling ahead of the Eastern New York team. With the help of three wins, Century V Gold (PA-W) can turn its 1-0-3 record into a very respectable 15 points, which could contend for the division title. Washington Rush (WA) will need to work and need some help in order to win the division, but the team could make it up there in the standings.

Game to Watch
March 16, HBC Impact 00 (NY-E) vs. Legends FC 00 Academy 2 (CA-S)
Separated by three points in the standings, these two teams meet on the first day in Las Vegas. As HBC has tallied 12 goals and only allowed two, the team seems to have a rhythm going on both ends of the field. Legends FC has eight goals on the season with five against, and it will look to hand HBC its first loss. An HBC win would give it complete control of the division, while a Legends victory would make things very interesting heading into the final two days of play.