FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 4, 2017) – The US Youth Soccer National League began play this previous weekend in Wilson, N.C. as six North Texas Soccer girls teams began their quest to earn a spot in the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships.
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 National Championships, and secure a spot to return to National League play the following season.
Full National League Coverage
Scores & Standings
16U Girls
A pair of Solar teams made their debut in the National League and were introduced to some of the best competition the country has to offer. 2017 Southern Regional Championships finalists Solar 02 Naizer were competitive in every single one of their matches, but were unable to find a victory in North Carolina. Solar fell 2-0 to USA 02 Premier (UT) on the opening day before having a comeback attempt fall short in a 2-1 defeat to New Jersey Rush 02 Grey (NJ). Izabella Curiel scored the team’s first ever National League goal. After that, Solar 02 Naizer was on the wrong side of two 1-0 results against Century V United (PA-W) and current group leaders Fullerton Rangers White (CA-S), but the experience on the national stage will without a doubt be an advantage heading into 2018.
Solar 02 began its National League season with a 1-1 draw against 2017 National Championships semifinalists and 2016-17 National League Blue runner-up Legends FC 02 Academy (CA-S). Alyssa Terry scored her team’s first National League goal in the 47th minute against Legends. Solar would go on to fall to Cleveland FC 02 Royal (TX-N), PDA Shore Wave (NJ) and Albion SC 02 (CA-S) in the next three games. Landrey Krodel and Lucy Meadows would also net their first National League goals this previous weekend. Both Solar sides will finish up National League play beginning Jan. 13.
17U Girls
Sting East Dunstan currently sits in fourth place of the National League Blue Division after going 2-1-1 in its first taste of National League play. Sting drew defending National League Blue champions Michigan Jaguars (MI) 3-3 on the opening day of play with goals coming from Ainsley Jeffrey, Melina Peters and Caroline Havard. After being humbled on the second day of play by FCKC Academy (MO), Sting responded by notching its first two National League wins against UFA Premier 01 (GA) and Arlington 2001 Red (VA). Peters netted Sting’s last four goals of the weekend and currently sits tied for second in the age group with five goals scored. Sting will finish National League play in March in Las Vegas.
Fever United 01 Guerra is currently tied for fifth place in the National League Red Division after going 1-2-1 in its first National League weekend. Isabella Turlington scored Fever’s first ever National League goal, but the 2016 US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Premier League champions fell to PacNW 01 Maroon (WA) 2-1 on the first day of play. Fever would respond with a 3-2 win over Beach FC 01 (CA-S) thanks to Cloey Seltzer’s first National League goal in addition to a Turlington brace. Fever would draw Cleveland FC 01 Royal (OH-N) 1-1 on the third day of play as Victoria Margiotta found the back of the net, but Fever would fall 3-0 to CDA Premier (OH-S) on the final day of play. Fever will play its last three National League games when play resumes on Jan. 13.
18U Girls
D’Feeters Kicks 00 is currently in fifth place, but are only two points behind first place in the National League Red Division. Kicks fell to current group leaders New Jersey Stallions (NJ) 2-0 on the first day of play, but the 2015 National Championships finalists would respond with a 3-0 win over Arlington SA Red (VA). Emilie Torres, Jordan Michie and Michelle Gonzalez would all find the back of the net against Arlington. Kicks notched its second win in a row with a 3-1 win over Nationals Union 00 Black (MI) thanks to goals from Mackenzie Stricklin, Brennan Reuland and Gonzalez. Kicks would fall 3-1 to the 2017 Midwest Regional Championships finalists Sporting Omaha (NE) on the final day of play but would receive a goal from two-time National League leading scorer, Jaida Thomas.
Allison Coleman would score Solar 00G’s first every National League goal in a 3-1 defeat against Celtic FC 00 Premier (UT). Solar was unable to find the back of the net in the next two matches against Rebels SC (CA-S) and MapleBrook Fury (MN), but the National League newcomers would rebound to win its first National League match on the final day of play against Beadling 2000 Elite (PA-W). April Moreno and Eleanor Williams would score in the 85th and 86th minutes respectively to give Solar a 2-1 comeback win.