Las Vegas Preview: 2015-16 US Youth Soccer National League Girls
Republished News From US Youth Soccer – The 2015-16 US Youth Soccer National League Girls season will wrap up play March 18-20 at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as 48 teams — representing 18 states and 31 clubs — will play their final three games and solidify the division standings. In the Under-15 through Under-18 age groups, each division will be represented by four of the eight teams, while the Under-14 divisions will each feature all eight teams.
Seven division championships are still to be decided during the final weekend of National League Girls play, and 15 total teams will punch tickets to the 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships, held July 25-31 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
Each National League team gets to measure itself against top competition in meaningful matches while playing in front of college coaches and U.S. National Team scouts. More than 950 college coaches have attended the first two National League Girls events, and many more — as well as U.S. Soccer coaches and scouts — will be on hand for the games in Las Vegas.
In addition to recruiting opportunities, the top two finishers from each division (Blue and Red) will earn a ticket to the 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships, making each match valuable to the team’s fate as it could make or break their chance at competing for the National Championship. The top finishers in the Under-14, 15, 16 and 17 age groups will also earn an automatic spot in the 2016-17 National League season.
A handful of teams have already secured top-two finishes, as 32 of the 80 girls sides finished their 2015-16 season in January at the Disney Soccer Showcase in Orlando, Florida, in front of 625 college coaches.
Three girls teams managed to claim division championships in Orlando, and two of the title-winning squads used experience from past success on the national stage to excel this season. Three-time National finalist YMS Premier Xplosion 98 (PA-E) went 6-1-0 to win the Under-17 Red Division and earn another chance to play for its elusive National Championship. In the Under-18 Red Division, MD United Coyotes (MD) claimed the title and will aim to once again take their place atop the podium at Nationals after winning it all as an Under-14 side in 2012.
Meanwhile, Under-15 Midwest United FC 01 Royal (MI) compiled the second-most goals as a team in a single National League season (25) to post a rare 7-0-0 record and claim the Under-15 Blue Division title.
In addition to the division winners, Under-16 FCKC Pink Panthers Elite (MO) and Under-18 NJ Stallions Dynamite (NJ) also clinched at least a second-place finish it their respective divisions.
Many of the teams still to compete in Las Vegas have hopes of joining those four sides in Frisco, Texas, this summer. With so much on the line, it will be an exciting three days of play this weekend in Las Vegas.
