US Youth Soccer National League Season Preview: 16U Girls

Scores, Standings and Schedules
Girls Age Group Previews: 14U | 15U | 17U | 18U

(Via US Youth Soccer) – The US Youth Soccer National League 2017-2018 season kicks off November 30 with the start of the girls’ event in North Carolina. Continue reading for a season preview of the 16U girls age group.

Despite entering their first year in the National League, many of the teams in the 15U age group already have some significant accomplishments. In the Blue Division, 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships finalist Nationals Union 03 Black (MI) leads the hunt to win the group.

The Michigan side earned four wins and a draw during its time in Sioux Falls, S.D., as it claimed the US Youth Soccer Region II Championship. It continued that unbeaten streak at Nationals, as it finished on top of the standings after group play before coming up short in the National final. Expect Nationals Union to come out focused as it looks to earn its way back to the National Championships with a top two finish in the Blue Division.

Tennessee SC Showcase (TN) is another side that brings experience on the national stage to the Blue Division. Tennessee, which excelled in the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Premier League, battled plenty of tests on its way to winning the US Youth Soccer Region III Championship. Just one of its wins in Greensboro, N.C., came by more than one goal, and it needed penalties twice to come away with victories. Those experiences should benefit Tennessee during the National League season.

After winning their respective divisions of the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional League, GPS Oregon FC Bayern 03 (OR) and San Diego SC Academy Navy (CA-S) could also make a statement and finish near the top of the Blue Division.

Of all the experienced teams in the 15U age group, none can boast the same type of resume as LVPSA 03 Red (NV), which won the 2017 National Championship. With that recent success, the Nevada side is the team to beat in the 15U Girls Red Division.

At the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships, LVPSA overcame a group play loss to Legends FC G03 DPL (CA-S) when it beat the Cal South side, 2-1, in the final. That allowed LVPSA to advance to Nationals, where it outscored its opponents, 10-to-3, on its way to capturing the National Championship. The Nevada side will need to withstand the best shot of its Red Division foes to come out on top in the league this season.

Another tested Red Division contender is 2017 US Youth Soccer Region I Champion SDFC Yellow (NJ). SDFC came up with three straight wins by a one-goal margin to earn the Regional crown, and that ability to win consecutive close games will be important in trying to finish on top of the Red Division.

Legends could bring some extra motivation to the National League after coming one game short at the Region IV Championships. It may have to once again go through LVPSA to punch its ticket, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Legends in contention for one of the two berths to Nationals in the Red Division.

Olivia Garcia (LVPSA) – Golden Ball, Best XI, leading scorer at the National Championships
Keyla Alba (LVPSA) – Golden Glove and Best XI at the National Championships
Samantha Nieves (LVPSA) – Best XI at the National Championships
Jacqueline Hillegass (LVPSA) – Best XI at the National Championships
Sydney Mansfield (SDFC) – Best XI at the National Championships

2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional – 2003 Roster
Midwest Region – Mia Moore (CDA Premier)
South Region – Alyssa White (Tennessee SC)
West Region – Olivia Garcia (LVPSA)