US Youth Soccer National League Las Vegas Preview: 15U Boys
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FRISCO, Texas (Via US Youth Soccer) — The US Youth Soccer National League Boys teams will compete in their second event of the 2018-19 season March 8-10 at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex and James Regional Sports Park in Las Vegas, Nev., as 104 teams — representing 32 state associations and 68 clubs — play their final games to solidify the division standings.
Continue reading for a look what’s in store for the 15U Boys Division.
SCORES & STANDINGS | BLACK | BLUE | RED | WHITE
BLACK DIVISION
Three of the 15U Boys Black Division teams playing in Las Vegas are less than nine points behind current leader PPA KSA 04 Pro-Profile (GA). The Georgia side picked up seven points during its week in Orlando, but time will tell if that will be enough to hold off the teams in pursuit.
Downtown LVSC 04 Gold (NV) is in the best position to make a run at the Black Division title of any team playing in Las Vegas. LVSC, which will be playing in its hometown, has six points — more than any other team with games remaining — and it owns a head-to-head victory against KSA. A couple more wins could end up being enough to help LVSC come away with the division title.
LA Galaxy South Bay 04 Elite (CA-S) and Midwest United FC 04 Royal (MI) will also be looking to make a move up the standings during play in Las Vegas. LA Galaxy enters with three points, though it dropped a decision to KSA in North Carolina. Meanwhile, Midwest tied its first two matches and will need to pick up three points in its games to move to the top.
Game to Watch
March 10, Downtown LVSC 04 Gold (NV) vs. LA Galaxy South Bay 04 Elite (CA-S)
It’s possible Downtown LVSC could be alone in first place by the time these two sides meet on Sunday. Should the Nevada side stumble on Friday or Saturday, or should LA Galaxy pick up victories in its first two games, this game could potentially decide who finishes the weekend on top of the division. No matter what is one the line, each of these West Region sides will want to come out on top and set the tone for any potential meetings in the future.
BLUE DIVISION
With five wins in as many games, VHSC Steamers 04 Black (AL) has set a high bar for the remaining teams to shoot for in the 15U Boys Blue Division. The Alabama side was perfect during its games in North Carolina and Florida, and it will now wait to see if 15 points is enough to hold on to first place or if a sixth game will be needed to decide the division champion.
Two teams with games to play in Las Vegas are still in the hunt for first. Nationals Union 04 Black (MI) and SC Del Sol White 04 (AZ) each have six points after earning wins in North Carolina in varying fashions. Following a 2-1 win to open its campaign, the Michigan side secured a 4-0 win in its second game to cushion its goal differential. Meanwhile, SC Del Sol leaned on its defense to pick up a pair of 1-0 victories that have set it up nicely heading into the Las Vegas weekend.
With VHSC having not played Nationals or SC Del Sol, either the Michigan or Arizona side will need to pick up at least six points in Las Vegas to move into the top two and set up a deciding game with VHSC.
Game to Watch
March 9, SC Del Sol White 04 (AZ) vs. Nationals Union 04 Black (MI)
This game is a clear pick for the one to watch in Las Vegas. Both SC Del Sol and Nationals Union are in position to make a run at the division title, and this head-to-head matchup could be the main factor in determining which team gets the opportunity to face off with current leader VHSC. Neither side can afford to overlook PSA National 04 (NJ) or PCU 04 Red 1 (OR) in their other matchups, but the outcome of this game could give either SC Del Sol or Nationals Union a clear upper hand in finishing higher in the standings.
RED DIVISION
After picking up two wins in North Carolina, LMSC Invictus (PA-E) is in a good position to make a run at the 15U Boys Red Division title as it prepares for the Las Vegas weekend. LMSC did not concede a goal in either of its first two games, and it will aim to continue that stout defense when it resumes play on March 8. The Eastern Pennsylvania side can secure first place with three wins in Las Vegas, while multiple combinations of other results could lead to a chance at sealing the division title with a sixth game.
After tying its first two games, Sporting Omaha Elite 04 (NE) heads to Las Vegas with a shot at overcoming LMSC and current leader Oklahoma Energy FC 04 Central (OK), which finished with 10 points after playing in Orlando. Sporting will need to pick up wins in all three games in Las Vegas to have a shot at the division title. Meanwhile, TFA-San Fernando Valley (CA-S) is still alive in the title hunt, but it will need three wins and several other results to go its way in order to have a chance.
Game to Watch
March 10, Sporting Omaha Elite 04 (NE) vs. LMSC Invictus (PA-E)
There are scenarios that could play out in which both of these teams could have a chance to win the Red Division with a victory in this game. With LMSC holding a four-point edge over Sporting Omaha entering the weekend, the Eastern Pennsylvania side will need to drop points on Friday or Saturday to give Sporting Omaha a shot at jumping it in the standings. However, if LMSC can move to 12 points after two days of play in Las Vegas, this match will present it with the chance to lock up the division title with a win.
WHITE DIVISION
Three teams head to Las Vegas with 2-0-0 records in the 15U Boys White Division. If one or more of those sides can lock up at least seven points in Las Vegas, they will have a chance at sealing the division title when the dust settles on Sunday.
Real Jersey FC (NJ) produced the most offense when the teams met in North Carolina, as it netted seven goals. Meanwhile, Sparta Premier JK (UT) and Soltilo FC Los Angeles (CA-S) each produced identical figures in the standings by picking up a pair of wins with six goals scored and none conceded. The early performances in North Carolina have set up each of the three teams to be in good position entering Las Vegas.
Current division leader LMVSC 2004 Red (VA) has nine points after competing in Orlando, and it will need several results to go its way in order to stay in contention to finish atop the White Division.
Game to Watch
March 8, Real Jersey FC (NJ) vs. Soltilo FC Los Angeles (CA-S)
This is the first game that matches up two of the three teams who enter the weekend with 2-0-0 records. This game will cause a ripple effect that impacts each remaining division game while helping to indicate who may have the upper hand in the pursuit of the White Division title. A win by either Real Jersey or Soltilo would be a big boost to the victor’s title chances, while a tie in this match would create an opportunity for Sparta to gain an advantage should it defeat 04 Boise Timbers Pre-Academy (ID) in its opening game.
