"Congratulations to each of the 25 clubs - all of whom are US Youth Soccer member 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 our 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 what our clubs, leagues, State Associations and US Youth Soccer are doing to advance soccer and be 'The Game for All Kids'."

 

"Selecting America's best youth clubs has become very difficult because of the increasing quality we're seeing nationwide," said Paul Kennedy, Managing Editor of Soccer America Magazine. "As a testament to the depth at all levels, we have expanded our rankings from the best 20 to the best 25 boys and girls clubs."

 

Soccer America selects the top 25 clubs, based on success of their teams in national youth championships over the last three years and national recognition for players (including US Youth Soccer ODP Interregional All-Stars, U.S. national youth team selections and NSCAA/adidas Youth All-Americans and) from these clubs in 2007.

 

* US Youth Soccer National Champions at least once from 2005-2007

 

"I would like to thank Soccer America for noticing the hard work that youth clubs around the country are putting into their programs. This truly is an honor for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club players, parents and coaches. An accomplishment like this will help soccer clubs, such as the Texans, to attract more serious soccer players and more dedicated parents," said Hassan Nazari, founder and director of the Dallas Texans. "What I like the most about this honor is that it does not only recognize the wins and loses, but it looks at the development of the youth player. Being successful in the US Youth Soccer National Championships Series and constantly producing and developing youth players for the state and regional US Youth Soccer ODP teams as well as the national and college teams will help our club to be noticed. Once again, on behalf of the Dallas Texans coaching staff, players, parents and volunteers, I would like to thank Soccer America for this great honor."

 

"Having Soccer America recognize the Eclipse Select as the top female club in the nation two years in a row is truly a top honor. This tribute speaks to the great work ethic and dedication of our staff, players, and parents," Rory Dames, Eclipse Select Director of Coaching and Player Development said. "On behalf of the club, we thank US Youth Soccer for their continued support of premier youth girls soccer; having them recognize Eclipse as the No. 1 club in the nation two years in a row is at the top of our resume! Congratulations and thank you to the many individuals that have made back-to-back No. 1 rankings a reality for the Eclipse Select Soccer Club."

 

"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 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. No where is that more evident than through the training and competitions that our US Youth Soccer ODP teams participate in each year that provide the finest in elite play and development."

 

Annually the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program serves as the resource for selection to national teams, collegiate programs and professional leagues for our country's finest players. Established in 1977, it is the original Olympic development program in the United States. Formed to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team could be selected for international competition, selected players are exposed to the nation's top coaches from collegiate institutions, U.S. Soccer and the professional leagues. The only national program, US Youth Soccer ODP has been the common thread of success for those selected to U.S. Soccer National Teams, top collegiate programs and Major League Soccer.

 

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing approximately 185,000 players on over 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.  The Series cap a yearlong series of competitions for boys and girls teams in multiple age brackets as teams earn their way from the top teams in their state to the regional championship tournaments.  Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

Additional highlights and reviews of each of the above clubs are listed on Soccer America's website. To read about the girls or boys clubs click the link.