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.
FC Dallas 98 Premier Dymond
Age Group: Under-19/20 Boys
Schedule/Roster
The Breakdown
FC Dallas 98 Premier will enter its first and final National League season with the hopes of securing its first trip to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships. The two-time defending US Youth Soccer North Texas State Cup champions are currently in first in the 2016-17 US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Premier League (SRPL) West division and reached the semifinals of the 2016 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships. FC Dallas also reached the quarterfinals of the 2016 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup and will aim to use that experience to its advantage in the National League.
Player Accolades
North Texas ODP: Duncan James, Daniel Anguiano, Hunter Hasler, Ethan Moore, Ford Gurley, Trey Marchino, Chase Burciaga,
Region III ODP: Duncan James, Ethan Moore, Ford Gurley
The Field
2016 National Championships finalist Loudoun 98 Red (VA) has been a fixture in the National League for years and the Virginia side’s hope to win a National Championship will begin with qualifying through the National League. Albion SC White (CA-S) and Chicago Fire Juniors South (IL) will play in their second straight National League season, while Region II Champions Challenger Crew Jrs Gold (OH-N) and Region III Champion 98 CASL Red (NC) will hope to earn trips to their second straight National Championships via the National League. Baltimore Bays 98 (MD) and OFC 98 (OK) join FC Dallas as newcomers with the hope of making a splash this weekend.
Solar Chelsea Red 98/99
Age Group: Under-18 Boys
Schedule/Roster
The Breakdown
Solar Chelsea enters the tournament with the most National League experience of any North Texas team, and one of only two North Texas team in the 2016-17 to have previously claimed a National League title. The two-time North Texas and Region III champions won the Red Division last season and will need to finish in the top-two this season to qualify for its fourth National Championships.
Player Accolades
North Texas ODP: Austin Jones, Alejandro Batt, Ebenezer Zabayor, Wariebi Jituboh, Carlos Flores, Jasper Capcaiete, Alistair Person, Diego Villanueva
Region III ODP: Jasper Capaciete
2016 National Championships Best XI: Carlos Flores, Wariebi Jituboh
The Field
Defending Region I and National Champions Pipeline Soccer Club 98/99 Black (MD) will begin its rode to a repeat title in its first season in the National League. Sporting St. Croix (MN) got the best of Solar Chelsea on the first day of the 2016 National Championships, and there is no doubt Solar will try to exact revenge when the two sides meet on the first day of National League play. National League veterans Penn Fusion 98 will join USA 98/99 Premier (UT), CESA 98 Premier (SC), Ohio Galaxies FC 98 Elite (OH-S) and FC United round out the group trying to prevent Solar from winning back-to-back National League Red titles.