Preseason U16 National Top 25

I posted this on Big Soccer forum so even though I am sticking my neck out there with this on this board...that's what these forums are for...aren't they?

Here goes. National U16 Top 25 and reasons why...IMHO...


1. Dallas Sting - Defending Champs. Will coaching change hinder their momentum?
2. CASL - Purest brand of soccer I have seen. Great outside speed and J. Boyles in the middle!
3. Arsenal - In nation's toughest state (CA-S, yeah I said it), they are beginning to stand out!
4. Scorpions - Extremely consistent. They never lose when they are favorite!
5. Mustang FC - U14 National Champs are in every game...and still win most!
6. Hurricane FC Shubert - Tenaciously physical; good speed up top. New coach though.
7. SoCal Blues Draluck - In a tough state...consistency is hurdle to overcome.
8. Ohio Premier - Most improved over last year
9. Eclipse Select - Illinois Power has two teams in ECNL and National League. Wow!
10. Dallas Texans - Last year's National League winner has Dallas Sting in backyard!
11. Real Colorado - 2010 Region IV winner is up and coming having beaten some above.
12. FC Virginia (Herndon HS) - They beat who they should but not those above.
13. Bethesda Freedom - Could switch with FC VA as they are 2-2 in last four matches.
14. Michigan Hawks - It will be interesting to see how their maiden ECNL campaign goes.
15. San Diego Surf White - National League team is in every game...but not yet top tier.
16. Colorado Rush Nike - Read # 15.
17. GSA Pheonix - Region III team dominates state of GA...but cannot get out of region.
18. VSA Heat Blue - Won Region 1 Premier League...but did not make regionals.
19. PDA Celtic - Last Region 1 team to beat Scorpions.
20. Lonestars Red - New talent & coaching brought 1st TXS Championship & ECNL Finalist.
21. Challenge - Former TXS champion is in every game...no matter the competitive level.
22. KCFC Force - New ECNL team is in the big leagues now.
23. Slammers - Last year's Coast SL winner is able to beat the best...just not consistently.
24. San Juan Blues - Lots of speed and physical play. Second best in CA-N.
25. Brandon Flames - Florida Power needs to get into ECNL.

Go ahead...let 'em rip!

ChelseaFan wrote:I posted this on Big Soccer forum so even though I am sticking my neck out there with this on this board...that's what these forums are for...aren't they?

Here goes. National U16 Top 25 and reasons why...IMHO...


1. Dallas Sting - Defending Champs. Will coaching change hinder their momentum?
2. CASL - Purest brand of soccer I have seen. Great outside speed and J. Boyles in the middle!
3. Arsenal - In nation's toughest state (CA-S, yeah I said it), they are beginning to stand out!
4. Scorpions - Extremely consistent. They never lose when they are favorite!
5. Mustang FC - U14 National Champs are in every game...and still win most!
6. Hurricane FC Shubert - Tenaciously physical; good speed up top. New coach though.
7. SoCal Blues Draluck - In a tough state...consistency is hurdle to overcome.
8. Ohio Premier - Most improved over last year
9. Eclipse Select - Illinois Power has two teams in ECNL and National League. Wow!
10. Dallas Texans - Last year's National League winner has Dallas Sting in backyard!
11. Real Colorado - 2010 Region IV winner is up and coming having beaten some above.
12. FC Virginia (Herndon HS) - They beat who they should but not those above.
13. Bethesda Freedom - Could switch with FC VA as they are 2-2 in last four matches.
14. Michigan Hawks - It will be interesting to see how their maiden ECNL campaign goes.
15. San Diego Surf White - National League team is in every game...but not yet top tier.
16. Colorado Rush Nike - Read # 15.
17. GSA Pheonix - Region III team dominates state of GA...but cannot get out of region.
18. VSA Heat Blue - Won Region 1 Premier League...but did not make regionals.
19. PDA Celtic - Last Region 1 team to beat Scorpions.
20. Lonestars Red - New talent & coaching brought 1st TXS Championship & ECNL Finalist.
21. Challenge - Former TXS champion is in every game...no matter the competitive level.
22. KCFC Force - New ECNL team is in the big leagues now.
23. Slammers - Last year's Coast SL winner is able to beat the best...just not consistently.
24. San Juan Blues - Lots of speed and physical play. Second best in CA-N.
25. Brandon Flames - Florida Power needs to get into ECNL.

Go ahead...let 'em rip!

1. I don't think many people would worry about Kenny impeding a teams development and momentum.

I am sure. To be clear...the reference was to learning curve of different tactics, potential movement of players, etc... It was not to infer the new coach is any less qualified than Tatu. Having been through multiple coaching changes with my own kids...there can be a learning curve even with the best coaching changes. How quickly the kids adapt is really the differentiator. You notice I am so concerned with the change that I lowered Sting's ranking all the way to...oh yeah...they are #1 still.

I received the following message from the notorious mathman himself last night.

Sorry to disappoint you, but we will not be doing the rising U16s. About 8 months ago, we had a computer crash that wiped out all our data on the 16s, and the person who was supposed to back things up had not done so. As a result, we lost the results of almost 65,000 games for this age group.

Rather than put up ratings that we would not feel are accurate, we decided to not continue with the 94/95 age group.

Believe me, this pains us more than it pains you.

Bummer. We will never know how his ratings would have compared to those of GS, NSR or SIC. For those who don't know the mathman...his website is girlssoccerrate.com.