The 2017-18 US Youth Soccer National League season, which features 14U-18U teams, began Nov. 30 with the opening weekend for the girls, while the boys begin Dec. 7. All games will take place in Wilson, N.C., and Rocky Mount, N.C.
The National League is designed to reward teams for developing elite talent and earning success in US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues and Regional Championships, as the top finishing teams in these competitions directly qualify for the National League. Once in the National League, the top teams from each age group division qualify to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, and also secure a spot to return to National League play the following season.
Solar 01 Sawyer (TX-N)
The 2017 Southern Regional Championships finalists Solar 01 Sawyer will return to the National League after going 4-3 in its debut season last year. The 2017 North Texas State Cup champions found the back of the net 15 times last National League season, which was third in the division and top-10 in the age group. Solar’s first four opponents are a mixed bag as Solar will play two National League newcomers, National League veteran Seattle United (WA) as well as two-time defending National League division winners Raiders FC (IL).
2016-17 Season Results
2016 SRPL West: Third (4-2)
2016-17 National League Black: Fourth (4-3)
2017 North Texas State Cup: Champions
2017 Southern Regional Championships: Finals
Player Accolades
North Texas ODP: Garrett Daulong, Todd Fuller, Anthony Jiminez, Johnny Koponen, Diego Sierra, Kobe Soto, Pablo Velazquez and Cade York
Region III ODP: Johnny Koponen, Pablo Velazquez and Cade York
Schedule
Dec. 7| Seattle United 01 Copa (WA) vs Solar 01 Sawyer (TX-N)
Dec. 8 | SC del Sol 01 (AZ) vs Solar 01 Sawyer (TX-N) Watch Live
Dec. 9 | Solar 01 Sawyer (TX-N) vs Club Ohio 1 (OH-S)
Dec. 10 | Solar 01 Sawyer (TX-N) vs Raiders FC (IL)
Solar 01 Stricker (TX-N)
Solar 01 Stricker will also return to the National League for its second season, as the 2017 Southern Regional Championships quarterfinalists finished in fifth place during their first National League season. Solar 01 Stricker only surrendered five goals last season and will welcome forward Ian Miller, who recently represented the South Region ODP team at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Florida Interregional. Solar will have its hands full in North Carolina, as the 2017 North Texas State Cup semifinalists will play 2016 National Champion Valparaiso United on day two and 2017 National Championships semifinalists CUP Gold 01 (OH-S) on day four.
2016-17 Season Results
2016 SRPL West: Second (4-2)
2016-17 National League Red: Fifth (2-2-3)
2017 North Texas State Cup: Semifinals
2017 Southern Regional Championships: Quarterfinals
Player Accolades
North Texas ODP: Robert Applegate, Justin Barnett, John David Hodges, Alejandro Lopez, Ian Miller, Giovanni Piersanti, Robert Pino, Kaleem Shabout, Alexandre Swetnam
Region III ODP: Justin Barnett, Alejandro Lopez, Ian Miller, Robert Pino, Kaleem Shabout
2017 US Youth Soccer Florida Interregional: Ian Miller
Schedule
Dec. 7| Solar 01 Stricker (TX-N) vs Westside Timbers 01 Copa (OR) Watch Live
Dec. 8 | Valparaiso United FC 01 JG (AZ) vs Solar 01 Stricker (TX-N)
Dec. 9 | Solar 01 Stricker (TX-N) vs SLSG Elite 01 (MO)
Dec. 10 | CUP Gold 01 (OH-S) vs Solar 01 Stricker (TX-N)
