US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference Fall 2022 standings taking shape

FRISCO, Texas — Fall 2022 division standings in the US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference are beginning to take shape, with several teams using strong play to separate themselves in the title races.

Teams in the top-tier divisions (Premier I and Club vs. Club) of the Midwest Conference are competing for the opportunity to advance to the 2023 USYS Midwest Regional Championships and earn automatic qualification for the 2023-24 season of National League P.R.O.

The Midwest Conference fall season primarily features girls teams in the 13U-19U age groups, while the boys teams primarily compete in the spring season.

An update from the Club vs. Club Divisions…

With a varying number of games remaining in each age group of the Club vs. Club Divisions, Chicago FC United (IL) finds its teams at or near the top of most standings.

The 17U, 18U and 19U age groups all currently have Chicago FC United sitting at the top of the table, while its 16U team is currently in a tie for second place. The Chicago FC United 08 Girls are also in the top half of the standings, as they are currently fourth in the 15U Girls age group.

Chicago FC United Girls Director Sean Palacios said he’s happy with his teams’ performances and acknowledged the importance of playing at a consistently high level across a full season.

“For the past few years, the competition we have seen in the Midwest Conference has forced our players to be open to a growth mindset, and it is really showing in our teams’ and players’ performances,” Palacios said. “The competition in the Midwest is second to none, and it is great to see the success across all age groups as it shows the consistency in our player development module.”

The Chicago FC United players are working hard at trainings to remain focused and maintain a sharpness in their play during games. Palacios said having the opportunities for advancement to National League P.R.O. and the Midwest Regionals within the conferences provide “driving forces of motivation.”

“To be able to compete and earn a shot at a Regional Championship is something our club strives for each year and with every team,” Palacios said. “The Midwest has a long tradition of high-level clubs, and our players always want to compete against the top teams across the country, as well. The more competitive matches we can be a part of, year-round, only enhances our players’ drive to put in the work daily. We take a lot of pride in earning spots in the most competitive events and playing on the regional and national stage.”

An update from the Premier I Divisions…

In the 15U Girls Premier I Division, KC Fusion Academy 08 (KS) secured a 2-0 win this past weekend, and it has a six-point lead atop the standings with one game left to play. Through six games, the Kansas side has dropped just two points — in a 1-1 draw to second-place Michigan Tigers 2008 Girls Gold (MI) — but still has work to do to secure the division title.

“We are obviously thrilled to be in the position we are with five wins and one draw with one game to go in conference play,” KC Fusion coach Brian Hoffman said. “There are no easy games in Premier I Division of the Midwest Conference, so our ability to consistently see games through is a testament to the commitment and work the girls have put in this year. That being said — a strong start is just that, a start, and we fully understand that there is still work to be done to finish strong as well.”

After qualifying for the 2022 USYS National Championships via National League P.R.O., Hoffman and KC Fusion know the potential opportunities ahead of them this season, but he said the players are taking it one game at a time and leaning on lessons learned through past experiences.

“Our conference has been extremely competitive year in and year out,” Hoffman said. “In fact, the last two years at the USYS National Championships, the final has included a team from our conference, and last year’s 2008 Girls National Champion came from the Midwest Conference, as well. We love the competitive nature of every single game we get in Midwest Conference.”

The Midwest Conference is one of 13 conferences in the USYS National League. Action in the Midwest Conference will continue throughout the year with teams inching closer to earning qualification into National League P.R.O. or a spot at the 2023 USYS Midwest Regional Championships.

For more information on the Midwest Conference, including schedules, scores, and standings, click here.