PREVIEW: USYS National League Girls 14U-19U teams ready for Oceanside showcase
The best of the US Youth Soccer National League are descending on Oceanside, Calif., this week, as 116 boys teams and 104 girls teams compete in National League P.R.O. action. (EVENT HOMEPAGE)
The action in Oceanside features teams in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups playing in a one-of-a-kind event format that matches club-based and team-based sides against each other to compete for advancement to this summer’s USYS National Championships.
All teams earned their place in National League P.R.O. through their performances at their respective playoff events earlier this season. With so many proven sides, there will be plenty of talent featuring in each game in Oceanside.
See below for a rundown of the 14U-19U Girls Divisions.
14U GIRLS
CHAMPIONS POOL
All three group winners at the Conference Playoffs posted identical records, as each earned two wins and a draw. Solar South 10 FDL Adames (TX-N) did so without conceding a goal, while Galaxy SC 10 NL (IL) was also strong defensively and conceded just once. KC Legends 2010 Academy Red (KS) also impressed while winning multiple close games en route to securing 7 points in its group.
Those teams will aim to continue earning results when they travel to Oceanside, but South Valley Surf SC 10 Elite 64 (CA-S) won’t make it easy. South Valley won the champions pool at the Elite 64 Playoffs, where it outscored its opponents, 11-to-1.
WILDCARD POOL
Strikers FC North 10 Elite 64 (CA-S) is one of several teams looking to build of solid moments at the playoff level when it competes in Oceanside. After dropping the first game in the Elite 64 Playoffs, Strikers rebounded to finish with two straight wins.Its last win came in a very close game against Utah Celtic FC Storm 10 Elite 64 (UT), which gained valuable of experience of its own in getting wins from two of its three tight matches in Arizona.
At the Conference Playoffs, Chattanooga FC 2010 Navy (TN) put in a strong showing while finishing second in its group. A 1-0 loss to the group winners was the lone blemish on the Tennessee side’s resume, as it picked up two wins from three games and compiled a plus-three goal differential.
US YOUTH SOCCER ODP PLAYERS
The following players made the most recent rosters for US Youth Soccer ODP Interregional teams.
2010 ODP Interregional Teams
Midwest Region – Gabriella Gjeldum (Galaxy SC 2010 NL)
Midwest Region – Alexa Patel (Galaxy SC 2010 NL)
2010 ODP National Team
Midwest Region – Alexa Patel (Galaxy SC 2010 NL)
2011 ODP Interregional Teams
South Region – Sarah Webb (Solar 10G Grado)
PROSCORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Chanel Ready (Midfielder – Las Vegas Surf)
Ready notched a hat trick against CCV Stars during the Elite 64 Playoffs and also impressed with her link-up play as LV Surf delivered a 2-1 record.
Lillian Beagles (Defender – Solar SC South)
Beagles was commanding in defense for a well-organized Solar South team that didn’t concede a single goal at the Conference Playoffs.
15U GIRLS
CHAMPIONS POOL
Just one team playing in Oceanside — Cook Inlet S.C. 09 Girls Elite (AK) — won all three games during the Conference Playoffs in December. The Alaskan side conceded just one goal while winning its group, and it will aim to regain that form at National League P.R.O.
Strong defensive efforts were the storyline in December, as the other three group winners — NJ Nationals FC 09 Elite (NJ), Lonestar 09 FDL White (TX-S) and Penn Alliance Select Elite 09 (PA-E) — all ran through the Conference Playoffs without conceding a goal. Those types of performances will give any team a chance to progress at National League P.R.O., where scoreless draws go straight to penalties to decide the advancing team.
After a standout year last season, Las Vegas Surf SC 09 Elite 64 (NV) looks to once again be a strong contender to claim the top spot in the age group. It was dominant on both ends of the field while winning the Elite 64 Playoffs, and it will aim to replicate that effort in Oceanside.
SILVER POOL
In a Conference Playoffs group that was defined by stout defensive play, MS Rush United 09 Premier (MS)’s offensive prowess shined through, as it scored the most goals of any of the teams. A narrow loss to the group winner is all that prevented a top finish for MS Rush, as the team also conceded just one goal and compiled the best goal differential in the age group. It will aim to use that experience when it plays in another group format in Oceanside.
WILDCARD POOL
Lobos Rush 09 Elite 64 (TN) heads to Oceanside after overcoming a big test when it won the wildcard pool at the Elite 64 Playoffs. The Tennessee side used a late surge in its final game to force a penalty kick shootout tiebreaker to decide the top of the group. It won the shootout to earn its place in National League P.R.O. NJ Nationals FC 2009 Girls Elite (NJ) will be another team to watch, as it won twice during a strong showing at the Conference Playoffs.
PROSCORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Mikenna Keirn (Goalkeeper – Cook Inlet SC)
Keirn made a number of key saves and impressed with her distribution at the Conference Playoffs, as Cook Inlet recorded two shutouts and conceded just one goal.
Anna Axenroth (Midfielder – YMS)
Axenroth averaged 20 ProScore highlights per game at the Conference Playoffs and scored a crucial late winner against Wasatch in YMS’s final game.
16U GIRLS
CHAMPIONS POOL
Multiple teams are entering the Champions Pool at National League P.R.O. knowing only winning ways from the playoff stage. Ambassadors FC 2008 Girls (OH) and Utah Celtic FC Storm 08G Elite 64 (UT) are two such teams, as they each went 3-0-0 at the Conference Playoffs. Both teams displayed strong play on both ends of the field, as they outscored opponents by 10 goals and seven goals, respectively.
Another team to watch will be South Valley Surf SC 08G Elite 64 (CA-S), which relied on the strength of its defense and goalkeeping to win the champions pool during November’s Elite 64 Playoffs. The California side won all three of its games, each by a 1-0 scoreline, and displayed a knack for earning results in high-pressure games.
AYSO United 08G Elite 64 (CA-S) came up one goal short against South Valley in the champions pool title game in November, but it showed it can navigate the tournament format that it will face in Oceanside.
SILVER POOL
Having showed an ability to earn results in must-win situations, Empire Surf 2008G Elite 64 (CA-S) is a team to watch in the silver pool. Empire finished the Elite 64 Playoffs with two straight clean sheets to win the wildcard pool, and it will look to return to that form in Oceanside. The same can be said for Los Angeles SC 08 Elite 64 (CA-S), which won each of its games at the Elite 64 Playoffs.
A trio of teams — Villarreal NTX 08 (TX-N), Cook Inlet S.C. 08 Elite (AK) and DKSC 08 Talavera (TX-N) — should contend for the silver pool title after they each went unbeaten at the Conference Playoffs with identical 1-0-2 records.
WILDCARD POOL
A strong showing at the Elite 64 Playoffs should have Utah Soccer Alliance 08 Elite 64 (UT) feeling some momentum as it prepares for the wildcard pool in Oceanside. The Utah side won two of its three games and compiled a plus-12 goal differential as a threatening attacking side.
PROSCORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Addi Rose (Midfielder – Utah Celtic)
Rose proved to be a formidable player for Utah Celtic at both the Elite 64 Playoffs and the Conference Playoffs. A strong runner and precise passer, she’s a linchpin in midfield.
Macey Call (Midfielder – Summit FC League 30)
Call is composed on the ball and scored in every game at the Conference Playoffs, including outstanding strikes with either foot. Goalkeepers, you have been warned!
17U GIRLS
Utah Surf 07 B Hale (UT) is the lone team playing in Oceanside the won all three of its games at the Conference Playoffs. It did so by outscoring its opponents, 10-to-1, as the team put in a strong all-around performance. Surf will look to regain that form when it competes in the Champions Pool at National League P.R.O.
The other three group winners from the Conference Playoffs — MS Rush United 07 Premier (MS), FC Dallas ETX 07 Premier (TX-N) and Solar South 07G FDL Adames (NTX) — won’t be easy to get past, as they each went unbeaten while picking up two wins and a draw in December.
At the Elite 64 Playoffs, South Valley Surf SC 07G Elite 64 (CA-S) added to its club’s string of strong tournament format performances when it won the champions pool. It will now look to do the same at National League P.R.O. in Oceanside. Each of South Valley’s wins in November were tightly contested, so it has experience doing well in high-leverage situations.
SILVER POOL
After picking up three victories to win the wildcard pool at the Elite 64 Playoffs, Empire Surf 2007 Elite 64 (CA-S) has proven it can excel in pressure situations. That experience should serve it well in the silver pool at National League P.R.O.
Meanwhile, Chattanooga Red Wolves 07 (TN) went unbeaten — with two wins and a draw — in its group at the Conference Playoffs. A group play format will give Chattanooga a level of familiarity that could benefit it during play in Oceanside.
WILDCARD POOL
NYCFC Girls 07/08 South (NY-E) should be feeling confident after an unbeaten weekend at the Conference Playoffs in Orlando. While there, New York sandwiched a pair of 1-1 draws around a dominant shutout victory.
Los Angeles SC 07 Elite 64 (CA-S) won two games and advanced to the wildcard pool final at the Elite 64 Playoffs. Meanwhile, the only defeat for Utah Celtic FC Storm 07 Elite 64 (UT) came in a shootout against LASC, as Celtic won twice during November’s event.
US YOUTH SOCCER ODP PLAYERS
The following players made the most recent rosters for US Youth Soccer ODP Interregional teams and ODP National Teams.
2007 ODP Interregional Teams
East Region – Amber Liu (Penn FC Youth 2007 F Black)
West Region – Kunie Hirai (Idaho Rush 07G Elite 64)
West Region – Maizy Kluksdal (Idaho Rush 07G Elite 64)
2007 ODP National Team
West Region – Kunie Hirai (Idaho Rush 07G Elite 64)
West Region – Maizy Kluksdal (Idaho Rush 07G Elite 64)
PROSCORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Lexus Luff (Forward – Cook Inlet SC)
Luff showed pace and a clinical mindset in the final third for a talented Cook Inlet team at the Conference Playoffs, scoring a brace against Kings Hammer North and also netting against NYCFC.
Islay Smith (Defender – Utah Surf)
Smith contributed significantly at both ends of the field for an outstanding Utah Surf team that won all three of their Conference Playoff games, conceding just once. She has strong defensive instincts and quality delivery on set pieces.
19U GIRLS
CHAMPIONS POOL
There was no shortage of strong performances at the Conference Playoffs, as all four group winners went 3-0-0. A high-scoring offense helped DASC U19 Black (SD) compile the best goal differential of the bunch, while The Football Academy 06 Girls Black (NJ) was not far behind.
Despite finishing second in its group at the Conference Playoffs, Utah Celtic FC Storm 05/06 Elite 64 (UT) produced the second-best goal total and goal differential of the 16 teams — showing it could be a challenge for any opponent. Meanwhile, Revolution Premier SC 06 Red Zuazua (TX-N) gained valuable experience in securing a pair of one-goal victories on its way to going 3-0-0.
Strikers FC North 06 Elite 64 (CA-S) is also heading to Oceanside after three straight wins, as it came out on top of the champions pool at the Elite 64 Playoffs. Strikers put in three complete performances, as the California side scored 10 goals and conceded none.
SILVER POOL
After capturing the wildcard pool title at the Elite 64 Playoffs, Los Angeles SC 05/06G Elite 64 (CA-S) will aim to continue its winning ways at National League P.R.O. LASC earned its results in increasingly difficult matches, which culminated in a thrilling 5-4 victory that featured a stoppage time winner.
WILDCARD POOL
A pair of necessary wins at the Elite 64 Playoffs helped CCV Stars 05G Elite 64 (AZ) advance to National League P.R.O. The Arizona side’s lone defeat at the playoffs came to LASC, when it fought back from an early deficit in an eventual 5-4 defeat. Solar 06G Grado (TX-N) displayed grit of its own at the Conference Playoffs, where it won two of its three games by tight margins, with identical 2-1 score lines in both victories.
PROSCORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Video clips and descriptions provided by ProScore.
Skylar Atacador (Midfielder – Los Angeles Soccer Club)
Atacador possesses excellent balance, quick feet and an eye for goal. She scored twice for LASC at the Elite 64 Playoffs and will pose a major offensive threat in Oceanside.
Maggie Morris (Forward – NUSA)
Morris scored twice against both W&H America Academy and Kings Hammer North at the Conference Playoffs, while she also impressed with her aerial prowess and link-up play.
