DIVISIONS
Black Blue Red WhitE
Following a year of multiple impressive performances, Cleveland FC 03 (OH-N) is looking to continue its successful run when 16U Girls Black Division play kicks off in North Carolina. The Ohio North side is coming off an appearance in the final at the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships, as well as a US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship and a first-place finish in its Regional League. Cleveland should have plenty of confidence heading into the National League season.
One of the teams Cleveland defeated en route to the National final was HSC 03 GPS (OR), which will look for some payback when the teams meet in Black Division action. The Oregon side is no stranger to the National League, as it finished second in its division last season to earn a spot in the National Championships. Now, HSC will aim to improve upon that finish and claim the Black Division title.
While both Cleveland and HSC are coming off trips to Nationals, a few teams who narrowly missed out last season will be looking to punch a ticket to Overland Park, Kan., by finishing on top of the Black Division. GPS NY Regional Team (NY-W) came one game away from Nationals, as it advanced to the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships final. Meanwhile, SC Waukesha 03 Blue (WI) and 03 NCFC Elite (NC) each made it to their respective Regional Championship semifinals. Each side has a chance to take the next step and earn a berth to the National Championships via a Black Division title.
The main goal for 16U Girls Blue Division teams will be to overtake last year’s group winner, PDA Shore Freedom (NJ). The first objective, however, will be to simply score against the New Jersey side. Last season, PDA did not concede a single goal while going 4-0-3 in the Blue Division. If PDA can come close to that defensive strength this season, it will certainly be in contention to reclaim the division title.
Another side that has proven difficult for opponents to break down is Michigan Jaguars Green (MI). The Jaguars outscored opponents, 15-2, while winning their Midwest Regional League division and conceded just one goal while advancing to the final match at the Midwest Regional Championships. It will look to continue its balanced approach when Blue Division play kicks off in North Carolina.
Other teams in the group have had success in league formats, including PacNW 03 Maroon (WA), which won its Far West Regional League division. CSAIU 03G NL Black (OH-N) is another team to watch after it finished second in its National League division last season — just a goal differential tiebreaker away from first. The Ohio North side used that finish to advance to the National Championships, where it made a run to the semifinals and secured its place as a strong performer on the national stage.
The smallest details can be the difference between finishing first in a National League division or looking up at the champion. LVSA 03 Red (NV) knows this well and will look to use experience from last year’s title-winning campaign when it takes on the 16U Girls Red Division. The Nevada side won the Red Division in 2017-18 and did so via a goal differential tiebreaker — coming back to earn a draw on the season’s first day proved to be the difference. With that experience, LVSA should be ready to go from the first whistle as it looks to reclaim the Red Division crown.
Keystone FC Premier 03 (PA-E) will also look to continue its strong showings from last season, when it won the Eastern Regional Championship. Four of Keystone’s games in Spotsylvania, Va., were decided by a goal or less, and that experience tight meaningful games will prove important when it begins its first National League season.
Arlington Red (VA) and 03 CSA South Elite (NC) each enjoyed success in league formats last year, as they won their respective Regional League divisions. Both teams know the season-long focus that is required to finish on top in a league competition, which should benefit them as they aim to capture the Red Division title.
Defending National Champion Beach FC DPL 03 (CA-S) will be a team to watch in the 16U Girls White Division. After winning the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championship, Beach FC continued its run of success at Nationals in Frisco, Texas. The Cal South side didn’t allow any opponent in Frisco to score multiple goals and capped its title run with a 1-0 overtime victory. That stout defense will give Beach FC a shot against any White Division foe.
Liverpool 03 Elite (TX-N) also got a taste of the experience at Nationals and will look to return to that stage by winning the White Division. The North Texas side averaged nearly four goals per game en route to winning the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championship, and a similar offensive performance will make it a dangerous team for National League opponents.
The White Division features some other teams who are excited to play for a berth to Nationals after coming up just short last season. Lady Lobos Rush Premier (TN), which went 10-0-0 in its Regional League, lost to Liverpool in the regional final and now has a chance to rectify that by beating out Liverpool for the White Division title.
Meanwhile, Beadling 2003 South Red (PA-W) finished third in the National League last year — one spot from qualifying for Nationals — and also advanced to the Eastern Regional Championship semifinals. Lou Fusz 03 Blue (MO) also made its regional semifinal, and it will join Beadling in attempting to use that as a springboard to a strong National League campaign.
- Alexis Pashales (LVSA 03 Red) – Best XI at the National Championships
- Elena Hinkson (Keystone FC Premier 03) – Best XI at the National Championships
- Sophie Goretski (Keystone FC Premier 03) – Best XI at the National Championships
- Delaney Matriano (Cleveland FC 03) – Best XI at the National Championships
- Nicole Sidloski (Cleveland FC 03) – Best XI at the National Championships
- Olivia Garcia (LVSA 03 Red) – Best XI at the National Championships; Tied for leading scorer at the Far West Regional Championships with five goals
- Chanel Alexander (GPS NY Regional Team) – Tied for leading scorer at the Eastern Regional Championships with six goals
- Sofia Miranda (SC Waukesha) – Tied for leading scorer at the Midwest Regional Championships with three goals
- Skinner-Barrett (SC Waukesha) – Tied for leading scorer at the Midwest Regional Championships with three goals
- Hannah Sawyer (CDA Premier 03) – Tied for leading scorer at the Midwest Regional Championships with three goals
2018 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional – 2003 Roster
East Region – Kelsie Barnard (OPSA Magic), Morgan Wood (Keystone FC Premier 03)
Midwest Region – Libby Majka, Nicole Sidloski, Jordyn Wickes (Cleveland FC 03)
West Region – Olivia Garcia (LVSA 03 Red), Breanna Norris (Indie Chicas)
2018 US Youth Soccer ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional – 2004 Roster
Midwest Region – Mara Jaracz, Delaney Matriano (Cleveland FC 03); Sofia Miranda (SC Waukesha)