US Youth Soccer National League Las Vegas Preview: U-14 Boys

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(Via US Youth Soccer) – The 2014-15 US Youth Soccer National League Boys season will wrap up play March 13-15 at Heritage Park in Henderson, Nev., as 48 teams — representing 19 states and 40 clubs — play their final three games and solidify the division standings. In the Under-15 through Under-18 age groups, each division will be represented by four of the eight teams, while the Under-14 divisions will each feature all eight sides.

Blue Division

The two berths to the 2015 National Championships are in the sights of several of the teams in the Under-14 Blue Division, with three sides appearing as frontrunners entering play in Las Vegas. San Diego SC 00 Academy Navy (CA-S) and Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (NV) enter play tied for first place with nine points, while GSA 01 Premier (GA) is right on their heels with eight points. The three sides at the top of the table have yet to play each other, which could benefit one of the teams sitting in the middle of the standings as they aim to make a run for a top-two finish.

Notable teams

San Diego SC 00 Academy Navy (CA-S) — The Cal South side enjoyed a successful trip to North Carolina, as it produced the largest goal differential of any Under-14 team — scoring nine times while conceding just two goals.

Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (NV) — LVSC is tied with San Diego at the top of the division after it showed the ability to win some tight games before posting a dominant 5-1 victory to close out its week in North Carolina.

GSA 01 Premier (GA) — The Georgia side is currently in third place but has the chance to jump into first with victories over the two first-place teams.

Cicero Mayas (IL) — Cicero Mayas is three points back of the leaders, but it faces three teams that sit in the bottom half of the division standings while in Vegas and has a victory over San Diego.

BRYC 00 Elite (VA) — The Virginia side is one point behind Cicero with a nearly identical resume and a win over LVSC under its belt.

Game to watch

March 15, Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (NV) vs. San Diego SC 00 Academy Navy (CA-S)
There will be several important games in the division, but the matchup between the two teams tied for first place is an obvious one to highlight. Depending on the first two days’ results, this contest could range from a de facto title game to a matchup where one or both teams find themselves needing points to secure a top-two finish.

Red Division

Unlike the Blue Division, the Under-14 Red Division has a clear favorite to win the group title, as Baltimore Celtic Dynasty (MD) sits alone in first place with a three-point lead. However, that’s where the clarity ends in the Red Division, as five teams enter play in Las Vegas within a point of second place. With nearly every team playing for a spot in the 2015 National Championships, each Red Division game will be a microcosm of the National League as a whole — featuring intense, meaningful games with a lot on the line.

Notable teams

Baltimore Celtic Dynasty (MD) — A pair of wins in Las Vegas would put Baltimore through to the National Championships and all but guarantee a division title.

United FA 01 Premier (GA) — The Georgia side sits alone in second place, but it faces three motivated teams who are in the middle of the standings and looking to jump United FA to clinch a spot at Nationals.

SCU/MP 00 Elite (SC) — SCU/MP is tied with three other teams for third, but it’s the only one of the four that has yet to play the two teams that are currently at the bottom of the standings.

McLean 00 Green CCL (VA), LFSC Geerling White (MO), Chicago Fire Academy (IL) — Each team is tied for third place, along with SCU/MP, and has plenty of work to do in Las Vegas.

Game to watch

March 13, SCU/MP 00 Elite (SC) vs. United FA 01 Premier (GA)
All of the Red Division games hold great importance, but this matchup on the first day of play will dictate which side has the inside track to lock up second place. After this matchup, the two sides exchange common opponents over the last two days, so this game will be crucial in separating SCU/MP and United FA. Should they draw, it would benefit the Georgia side, which enters with a one-point advantage in the standings.