BLACK DIVISION
Several teams are still in contention for the top spot in the 15U Girls Black Division, as the remaining teams prepare for the matches in Las Vegas. First place is currently held by LFA Geerling 05 (MO), which wrapped up its season in Florida with a record of 4-1-2. The Missouri side’s 13 points were matched by Century Gold (PA-W), but LFA’s win when the two sides met in Lakewood Ranch gave it the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Legends FC South 05 (CA-S) and Rio Rapids 05G (NM) lead the group of challengers who will be looking to catch and surpass the leaders by compiling points in Las Vegas. Legends FC won three of its first four matches while scoring 11 goals and conceding just four. Rio Rapids enjoyed a similar start to the season — also winning three games while outscoring opponents, 10-to-5. Legends and Rio Rapids each split their games against the co-leaders, so there’s a possibility of three-way tiebreakers coming into play if three or more teams end up tied with 13 points when the season ends.
With six points in the standings, Tonka Fusion Elite (MN) is capable of making a run at the division title, but it will need to win all three of its remaining games. If it’s able to do that, the Minnesota side would have the points and results necessary to win the Black Division.
Game to Watch
March 22, Rio Rapids 05G (NM) vs. Legends FC South 05 (CA-S)
It’s possible this matchup on the final day of play will take place with both teams having an opportunity to win the Black Division. The two sides have very similar resumes through their first four games of the season, so it looks to be an even matchup on paper. Both Rio Rapids and Legends FC will need to pick up some points during the first two days in Las Vegas to be in position to catch the current leaders and hold off Tonka Fusion Elite (MN). Should that happen, this game could have winner-take-all scenarios in the race for the division title.
BLUE DIVISION
A pair of teams competing in Las Vegas are capable of winning the 15U Girls Blue Division. In order to do so, they must first catch current group leader Beadling 2005 Girls Showcase (PA-W). The PA West side won five of its seven league matches, including all three games it played in Lakewood Ranch. That performance left Beadling with 15 points, which is the number the remaining teams will be aiming for when they take the field in Las Vegas.
The top challenger to Beadling’s spot atop the division standings is Broomfield Blast SC 05 Girls Prestige (CO), which won all four of its matches in North Carolina to begin the season. The Colorado side displayed an ability to find ways to win close games, as three of its four victories came by a one-goal margin — including its 2-1 win against Beadling. Broomfield Blast will aim to continue its winning ways in Las Vegas, where it will need just one win to move to the top of the standings.
LA Fire 05 Red (LA) also went undefeated during play in North Carolina, as it secured two wins and two draws. With eight points in the standings, LA Fire has some work to do to catch both Beadling and Broomfield Blast. The Louisiana side conceded just one goal in its first four games, and a similar defensive effort will go a long way in its pursuit of the Blue Division title.
Game to Watch
March 21, Broomfield Blast SC 05 Girls Prestige (CO) vs. LA Fire 05 Red (LA)
The two teams challenging for the Blue Division title will face off on Saturday in Las Vegas. LA Fire enters the final event four points behind Broomfield Blast, so it will need a result in this match to catch the Colorado side. On the other hand, Broomfield Blast will be able to clinch a first-place finish if it’s able to come away with all three points from this match. Neither side ran away with many games earlier in the season, so each goal will be vital in this important matchup.
RED DIVISION
With an unbeaten season in the books, SC Wave Juniors 05 Girls (WI) have one hand on the winners’ plaque for the 15U Girls Red Division. However, the Wisconsin side doesn’t quite have a total hold on the top spot in the division, and it will need to keep an eye on the results in Las Vegas to see if it will finish the season as the division winner.
SC Wave won its final six games of the season to post 19 points in the standings and create some separation between it and the rest of the division. The Wisconsin side averaged nearly four goals per game during its winning streak, while holding opponents to one goal or less in five of those victories.
The SC Wave victories all came after it began the season with a scoreless draw against defending National Champion D'Feeters 05 Black (TX-N) — the lone team with games remaining that can catch SC Wave in the standings. D’Feeters head to Las Vegas with 10 points, as they too strung together victories following the season opener. The North Texas side has received stout defensive efforts in each match — conceding just one goal through its first four games. D’Feeters will need to win each of its three games in Las Vegas to match SC Wave at 19 points in the standings. If that happens, it will come down to goal differential between the two sides to determine first place.
Game to Watch
March 20, Empire United Elite Academy 05 (NY-W) vs. D'Feeters 05 Black (TX-N)
In its pursuit of the division title, the first game in Las Vegas for D’Feeters will present it with the chance to build some momentum with a victory. Empire United will provide the first challenge of the week for the North Texas side. Empire United played several close games to begin its season, including a narrow 2-1 loss to current group leader SC Wave. If the New York West side is able to take any points from this match against D’Feeters, that would result in idle SC Wave clinching the Red Division title.
WHITE DIVISION
With five wins and two draws, TFA Elite 05 (OH-S) managed to pull away from the pack just enough to claim the 15U Girls White Division title. The Ohio South side completed its season in Lakewood Ranch, where it picked up the necessary results to get to 17 points in the standings and move 10 points clear of the teams with games remaining. TFA’s defensive powered its title-winning run, as it allowed no more than one goal in any game and recorded five shutouts.
While the division title is secured, there is still an available qualifying spot for the next National League season — given to the second-place finisher in the group. All four teams playing in Las Vegas are still in contention for that spot, led by Pateadores LA G2005 (CA-S) and Sunrise Prime 2005x1 (FL). Each of those teams have seven points in the standings following strong showings in North Carolina.
West Morris SC Premier 05 Red (NJ) is close behind Pateadores and Sunrise, as it totaled five points from its first event of the season — winning once to go with two draws. Snohomish United 05 Black (WA) is also still capable of finishing in second place if it is able to win each of its remaining games and get some help in the other contests.
Game to Watch
March 20, Sunrise Prime 2005x1 (FL) vs. Pateadores LA G2005 (CA-S)
Both Sunrise and Pateadores had bright starts to the season in North Carolina and showed stout defenses — conceding one and two goals, respectively, through four games. Their results to this point indicate these are two evenly-matched teams. In many National League divisions, these two sides would still be in contention for first place. While that’s out of reach, Sunrise and Pateadores each have the chance to finish in second place and this match will determine if one of the teams is able to get an upper hand in that pursuit.