Intense Matchups Continue At Youth Soccer National League as Day Three Ends
2014-15 US Youth Soccer National League Boys standings remain tight as Day 3 concludes
The 2014-15 US Youth Soccer National League Boys season is in full swing after two days of play at the Gillette Athletic Complex and Rocky Mount Sports Complex in North Carolina. The season is shaping up to be a long fight for the divisional titles and automatic entries to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, and Saturday’s games should play a big role in separating some teams in the standings.
Just one more day remains in the opening weekend of 2014-15 US Youth Soccer National League Boys play, with Sunday’s matches solidifying team standings until the next meeting in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 27-29, alongside the Disney Showcase.
The third day of league play tends to separate the field as teams settle in after an anxious start to the season. However, there is little separating the teams in the group standings, and no division has a clear favorite to claim the title. The top two teams in eight of the 10 divisions are separated by one point or less, and six of the divisions contain ties atop the standings. Meanwhile, just four teams have won each of their three games and all four defending National Champions have dropped points.
With the strength of the National League competition and such a fine margin separating the teams, there is a lot on the line in each game when the players take the field.
“Every team deserves to be out here, and every single game is a war,” said Brett Finkelstein, a coach for 2014 National finalist United FC Gold 98 (CA-S), which secured its first win on Saturday. “So, every time we come on to the field, we’re expecting to be playing the best players. And that’s what we’re getting.”
With the talent on each team in the league, players are able to showcase their ability to match up with the best and prove they have what it takes to play at the next level.
“The National League gives a lot of exposure for these guys,” Finkelstein said. “It’s tough for a lot of guys to be seen. Being able to get to the top and get into the National League really helps the college coaches come and identify the best players in the nation. For us, being able to come here to showcase our boys is an honor and a privilege. Every time we come here, we want to show our best.”
The National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Region I Champions League, Midwest Regional League, Region III Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels.
National League teams earn their place in the league based on a proven track record of success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions and are among the nation’s best. Competing for a league title and a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships, each and every game will play into who represents the National League this summer in Tulsa, Okla.
Some highlights from Saturday’s matches…
Under-14
Wins by San Diego SC 00 Academy Navy (CA-S) and Cicero Mayas (IL) pulled them into a three-way tie with Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (NV) atop the Under-14 Blue Division. With two more teams within two points of first place, the division appears to be wide open heading into the final day of games in Rocky Mount.
Each team in the Under-14 Red Division has recorded a win through three days, with Baltimore Celtic Dynasty (MD) at the top of the group with two wins and a draw. The Maryland side has a key matchup on Sunday with SCU/MP 00 Elite (SC), which is currently tied for second with six points.
Under-15
Real Colorado National 99/00 (CO) hung on for a 1-0 win over Arlington Eagles Red (VA) to claim its second victory of the week and stay in good position to contend for the Under-15 Red Division title. After the Colorado side defended a 53rd-minute corner kick, Stefan DeLeone dribbled the length of the field and tucked his shot inside the left post for the go-ahead goal. Arlington responded with intense pressure during the final 25 minutes, but the Colorado back line stayed organized and held on for the shutout victory.
A 3-0 win on Saturday has South Carolina United FC 99 Elite (SC) in the hunt for the Under-15 Red Division title. Behind a hat trick from Grayson Barber, who now has eight goals on the year, South Carolina recorded a 3-0 victory over Chicago Fire Raiders Elite (IL). With four teams in the division owning at least six points, Sunday’s games will be crucial in sorting out the top of the group standings before the teams head into the games in Orlando and Las Vegas.
Under-16
In a closely packed Under-16 Blue Division, Loudoun 98 Red (VA) picked up a necessary win on Saturday against defending National Champion Pateadores PDA (CA-S). The two sides went back and forth in the early going before Giovani Vasquez’s shot beat the keeper in the 34th minute to give Loudoun a 1-0 lead. The Virginia side’s defense, which led it to success in league play last season, did well to keep Pateadores off the scoreboard, as Loudoun held on for the 1-0 win.
United FC Gold 98 (CA-S) is back in the hunt for a top-two finish in the Under-16 Red Division after it held on for a 2-1 win against Delaware Rush 98 (DE). Ryan Bishop opened the scoring for United in the 16th minute, and Kenneth Lucky Datt doubled the Cal South side’s lead when he found the back of the net in the 56th minute. Delaware’s Brendan Hanrahan beat the keeper to the ball in the 66th minute and slid his shot into an open goal to pull his side within one. But United FC closed out the game and came away with a much-needed 2-1 victory.
No team has more than one win in a tight Under-16 Blue Division. Four teams are tied at the top the standings with five points each, while three more are within three points of first. Sunday’s results will go a long way providing some clarity to the group before play shifts to Orlando and Las Vegas.
Under-17
Two-time National Champion Santa Barbara SC White (CA-S) came out on top in another close Under-17 Blue Division match, as it defeated Continental FC Premier 97 (PA-E), 1-0, on Saturday. The Cal South side generated a few chances in the first half, but Continental managed to keep the game scoreless heading into the break. It appeared the contest was heading for a draw, but Sahid Conteh scored a 75th-minute goal that proved to be the game-winner for Santa Barbara.
Elsewhere in the Under-17 Blue Division, 2014 National finalist Ohio Premier Green (OH-S) recorded a dominant victory over FC Alliance 98 Black (TN). The game remained tight for the first hour of play, as Ohio Premier’s Antonio Romanelli’s 33rd-minute strike provided the only difference between the two sides. Brady Whittekind and Cole Heilman added goals in the 60th and 70th minutes to push the Ohio advantage to 3-0. Ohio Premier received goals from Tyler Stills and Jack Holland in the final 10 minutes of play to cap the 5-0 win.
In the Under-17 Red Division, defending National Champion Baltimore Celtic 97/98 (MD) dropped its first points of the week, but remains in a tie for first place with two wins and a draw. National League veterans Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL) are tied with Baltimore at seven points, and the two sides meet in a very influential game on Sunday.
Under-18
In the Under-18 Red Division, 2013 National Champion Smithtown Kickers SC Arsenal (NY-E) is in the thick of the title hunt after a 2-1 win Saturday against Albion SC White (CA-S). Smithtown went up in the 16th minute on a Stephen Elias goal and maintained that lead for much of the match until Matthew McDonnell doubled the advantage in the 74th minute. James Penner pulled Albion within a goal with an 83rd-minute tally, but Smithtown held on to earn its second win of the week.
A late winner Saturday against Severna Park Fever (MD) has Eastside FC 96 Red (WA) sitting in a tie for first place in the Under-18 Blue Division. A first-half strike by Tyler D’Anna put Severna in front, but Eastside responded with a strong second-half showing. Logan Wood pulled the Washington side even when he beat the keeper in the 62nd minute, and Ty Good headed home the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to help Eastside to the 2-1 victory.
National League Boys teams will wrap up their opening week of play on Sunday, Dec. 14, as they each play their fourth game of the season. Complete standings, scores and schedules, including goal scorers and match information, can be found at the results page here. Click on the score of each game for more information.
