Soccer America 's Top 40 Youth Clubs Named

Soccer America announces top 40 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America for 2009
US Youth Soccer continues as common thread of America's Best
Click here for more information about the top five boys and girls clubs.

FRISCO, Texas (September 30, 2009) - Today, Soccer America magazine named the Top 40 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America .  Again, US Youth Soccer continues as the common thread of America 's best.

Now in its seventh installment, Soccer America selected the top 40 boys and girls clubs, based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years and national recognition for players from these clubs in 2009. 

 

The most important criteria for determining "Soccer America's Top 40 youth rankings" was success in the US Youth Soccer National Championships during a three-year cycle (2007-2009) and the number of players who went on to U.S. Soccer National Teams and were selected to US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program All-Star rosters.

 

"Congratulations to each of the clubs selected as ' America 's Best Youth Clubs' by Soccer America," said Larry Monaco, president of US Youth Soccer. "It's wonderful to see that this publication continues to recognize the work of coaches, players and administrators. These clubs are honored for their dedication and efforts to the game. Their recognition provides us with another opportunity to be proud of how clubs, leagues, State Associations and national programs advance soccer to be 'The Game for All Kids'."

 

"Selecting America's annual youth rankings has become very difficult because of the increasing quality we're seeing in all parts of the country and the range of playing opportunities available for players," said Paul Kennedy, editor in chief and general manager of Soccer America. "We have expanded our rankings to 40 clubs. The most important criteria for our rankings is success in US Youth Soccer National Championships, which have also expanded to include additional top teams with the creation of the US Youth Soccer National League."

 2009 Boys Top 40

Clubs	State Association
1. Baltimore Bays*	Maryland
2. Dallas Texans*	North Texas
3. Michigan Wolves*	Michigan
4. PDA^	New Jersey
5. Andromeda SC*	North Texas
6. LAFC Chelsea	California-South
7. CASL^	North Carolina
8. Arsenal FC^	California-South
9. Carmel United	Indiana
10. FC Delco^	Eastern Pennsylvania
11. Chicago Magic^	Illinois
12. Solar SC*	North Texas
13. Chicago Fire^	Illinois
14. Real Colorado ^	Colorado
15. FC Dallas	North Texas
16. Colorado Rush*	Colorado
17. NJSA 04*	New Jersey
18. Real So Cal *	California-South
19. West Coast FC*	California-South
20. D.C. United	Virginia
21. New York Red Bulls~	Eastern New York
22. Cal Odyssey	California-North
23. Columbus Crew	Ohio
24. Washington Premier FC	Washington
25. IMG Academy ~	Florida
26. Vardar SC	Michigan
27. De Anza Force	California-North
28. Concorde Fire	Georgia
29. FC Westchester	Eastern New York
30. Discoveries SC*	South Carolina
31. Triangle United^	North Carolina
32. Kendall Soccer Coalition	Florida
33. St. Louis Scott Gallagher^	Missouri
34. Javanon SC^	Kentucky
35. Schulz Academy	Florida
36. Crossfire Premier	Georgia
37. Albertson SC	Eastern New York
38. CZ Elite FC*	California-South
39. Grand Rapids Crew Juniors^	Michigan
40. Sereno SC^	Arizona

 

2009 Top 40 Girls                                      

1. Dallas Texans*	North Texas
2. Eclipse Select*	Illinois
3. So Cal Blues*	California-South
4. Slammers FC^	California-South
5. Colorado Rush*	Colorado
6. San Diego Surf*	California-South
7. PDA^	New Jersey
8. Mustang Soccer*	California-North
9. Michigan Hawks^	Michigan
10. Force FC*	Michigan
11. Sting Soccer*	North Texas
12. FC Stars of Massachusetts ^	Massachusetts
13. McLean Premier*	Virginia
14. Albertson SC	Eastern New York
15. De Anza Force*	California-North
16. CASL^	North Carolina
17. San Juan SC *	California-North
18. FC Bucks*	Eastern Pennsylvania
19. Eagles SC*	California-South
20. Carmel United*	Indiana
21. Sereno SC^	Arizona
22. Pleasanton Rage^	California-North
23. Ponte Vedra SC^	Florida
24. St. Louis Scott Gallagher^	Missouri
25. Arsenal SC	California-South
26. FC Delco^	Eastern Pennsylvania
27. Scorpions SC^	Massachusetts
28. KCFC^	Kansas
29. Sockers FC	Illinois
30. FC Pennsylvania Strikers^	Eastern Pennsylvania
31. Solar SC^	North Texas
32. Lonestar SC^	South Texas
33. Real So Cal	California-South
34. D'Feeters SC^	North Texas
35. Montclair United SC	New Jersey
36. FC Milwaukee	Wisconsin
37. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy ^	Ohio-South
38. Chantilly SC ^	Virginia
39. Crossfire Premier^	Georgia
40. North Atlanta SA	Georgia

* US Youth Soccer National Champions at least once from 2007-2009
^ Advanced to the US Youth Soccer National Championships at least once from 2007-2009 through the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships or US Youth Soccer National League
~ Not a member of US Youth Soccer

Click here for more information about the top five boys and girls clubs.
 

"We are honored to be recognized as the No. 1 youth club by Soccer America . US Youth Soccer offers numerous programs that challenge and provide developmental opportunities for our players. I am very proud of all of our players including those who won the US Youth Soccer National Championships and the US Youth Soccer National League this year. Ultimately, it is all about the development of our players on and off the field. Thank you to all of our players who push themselves to the next level and to my fellow coaches, volunteers and parents who help every day, as well as our alumni who put us in position to succeed. Thank you to Soccer America for this great honor. We look forward to our future," said Steve Nichols, coach of the 2009 Under-15 Boys US Youth Soccer National Champions and National League Champions and the 2009 Under-19 Boys US Youth Soccer National Champions.

 

"It has been a fantastic year for us that included our affiliation with Manchester United, one of the top clubs in the world, having three girls teams in the US Youth Soccer National Championships, our U-16 Boys crowned US Youth Soccer National Champions, making history in the Dallas Cup by winning three championships in one year and now this, being recognized by Soccer America as one of the top clubs in the country.  Needless to say, this makes me very proud and at the same time very grateful and thankful for all of the hard working people in our organization who help to make these things possible.  With all of the great clubs around the county, it is not easy to be recognized as No. 1 for the last several years," said Hassan Nazari, founder and director of coaching of the Dallas Texans. Nazari is also the coach of the 2009 Under-16 Boys US Youth Soccer National Champions.

 

"Soccer America's acknowledgement further solidifies US Youth Soccer's position as the leader in providing player development opportunities through programs such as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, US Youth Soccer National League and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer. "The storied National Championships Series is second to none and US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the nation in elite player identification and development."

 

US Youth Soccer ODP is known as the premier identification and development program for youth seeking the opportunity to compete at the national, professional and collegiate levels.  US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and the Women's Professional Soccer, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni.

 

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, consists of three levels of competition for boys and girls teams in multiple age groups. Each year over 10,000 teams participate.

 

The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation's top teams in the Under-15, 16 and 17 boys and girls age groups. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers top notch competition. The top two teams, from each age group, advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

 

For more information on US Youth Soccer and any of the programs offered please visit www.USYouthSoccer.org. For more information about Soccer America please visit www.SoccerAmerica.com.

 

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About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) - US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!^®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.
  

About Soccer America - Founded in 1971, Soccer America is the country's leading national soccer communications company publishing a monthly magazine and 20 e-newsletter editions each week for its members. In 2003, Soccer America was named one of the nation's 50 best magazines by the Chicago Tribune.