With the opening weekend of the US Youth Soccer National League Boys season around the corner, we preview all of the North Texas Soccer teams competing in the competition.
Solar Chelsea 01 Stricker
Age Group: Under-16 Boys
Schedule/Roster
The Breakdown
Solar Chelsea 01 Stricker will enter its second National League season after finishing fourth in the 2015-16 Red Division. Solar only lost one match in the seven games, but four draws prevented them from moving higher in the standings. The three-time defending US Youth Soccer North Texas Soccer State Cup champs have a 2015-16 US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Premier League (SRPL) West title and a 2015 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships finals appearance under their belts, and will need to use its National League experience from last year if it wants to win the Red Division and advance to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships.
Player Accolades
North Texas ODP: Robert Applegate, Justin Barnett, Ivan Blaylock, Conner Carraher, Marshall Dickson, Christopher Edwards, John David Hodges, Johnny Koponen, Miles Ludington, Giovanni Piersanti, Robert Pino, Kaleem Shabout, Skyler Stricker, Alexandre Swetnam
Region III ODP: Justin Barnett, Ivan Blaylock, Conner Carraher, Marshall Dickson, Johnny Koponen, Miles Ludington, Robert Pino, Kaleem Shabout,
The Field
If Solar is going to qualify to the National Championships via the National League, it’s going to have to go through 2016 National Champions Valparaiso United FC 01 JG (AZ). South Carolina United FC 01 Elite (SC) was also at the 2016 National Championships after finishing second in the National League Red Division last season. Penn Fusion 01 Elite (PA-E) is also a National League veteran after finishing in fourth in the Blue Division last season. LOUD01 Red (VA), FC Golden State 2001 (CA-S), Galaxy Soccer Club (IL) and Lobos Rush 01 Premier (TN) are all making National League debuts with intentions on earning a spot in the National Championships.
Solar Chelsea 01 Elite
Age Group: Under-16 Boys
Schedule/Roster
The Breakdown
Solar Chelsea 01 Elite will enter its first National League season and will look to make an impact immediately. Solar 01 Elite tied Solar 01 Stricker for second in the 2016-17 SRPL West division and currently sits second in the Chamber Classic Soccer Alliance Classic League. The 2016 Region III Championship semifinalists will hope to draw from its 2016 Dallas Cup quarterfinals appearance as experience heading into uncharted waters.
Player Accolades
North Texas ODP: Marco Barron, Kenneth Chavarria, William Coben, Garrett Daulong, Todd Fuller, Conner Lewis, Diego Sierra, Kobe Soto, Cade York
Region III ODP: William Coben, Conner Lewis, Cade York
The Field
Raiders FC (IL) may be making its National League debut, but the 2016 Region II Champion reached the semifinals of the 2016 National Championships and has hopes of returning with a first place finish in the Black Division. West Pines will also play its first season after winning the 2016 Region III Championships. 01 CASL Red North (NC) ousted Solar in the semifinals of the 2016 Region III Championships and will hope to qualify for its first National Championships in its second National League season. Beadling (PA-W) will also be entering its second National League season after finishing seventh in the 2015-16 season. 2015 National Championships finalists EC Real Salinas Galaxy (CA-N) and RPSC River 24k (OR) are the remaining National League newcomers.