Final Day of US Youth Soccer National League Boys
The final day of US Youth Soccer National League Boys action concluded on Thursday as top teams in the United States traveled to Florida for a chance to book their ticket to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championship.
The National League features the top 256 teams in the U15 through U19/20 Boys and Girls age groups. With teams in each age group divided into eight-team divisions, each side has had to earn its place in the league through success in US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues and National Championship Series play.
Youth Soccer News: The US Youth Soccer National League Boys teams competing this week concluded their 2016/17 seasons on Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and ChampionsGate Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, as they played alongside the Disney Soccer Showcase. The 64 remaining boys teams will wrap up their seasons and solidify the league standings March 10-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
National League play will continue on Saturday when 64 girls teams continue their seasons, playing alongside the Disney Soccer Showcase at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and ChampionsGate Sports Complex.
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 as they compete for a league title and a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Championships this summer in Frisco, Texas.
Just two division titles and three berths to Nationals were secured during the week — leaving the playing field open when the remaining teams meet in Las Vegas to determine the final 17 berths to the National Championships.
Now in its third National League season, McLean 00 Green (VA) has made an improvement each campaign — going from sixth in 2014-15 to second last year. This season, the defending National Champions continued to improve as they captured the U17 Black Division title. McLean head coach Jamil Walker said he can see improvement in his players after each National League season.
“The competition each year in the National League is the top in the country,” Walker said. “You get to see teams from a variety of different regions, which is important for us to prepare for Nationals. Facing these National League teams each year has prepared us every time we’ve been able to go on and play in the summer at Nationals.”
2017 US Youth Soccer National Championship Qualifiers
U16
Red Champion: Lobos Rush 01 Premier (TN)
U17
Black Champion: McLean 00 Green (VA)*
U19/20
Complete standings, scores and schedules can be found here.
Photo Credit: US Youth Soccer
