GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (November 10, 2021) — With only 30 games left to play across the Fall 2021 US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference season, a majority of the 51 division champions have already been determined. There is still plenty for teams to fight four as teams hope to earn points in the final stretch of the season to put them in spots to avoid relegation, earn promotion, and advance to further competition in the shape of the 2022 USYS Midwest Regional Championships and the 2022-23 season of National League P.R.O.

Some notes from the weekend’s Team vs. Team action:

• A National League P.R.O. slot is in the cards for LFA Tottleben 2005G (MO), as it won the 17U Girls Premier I Division with a game to spare after winning the first six games of the season. LFA will look to complete a perfect season this Saturday when it plays its last game of the season.
• With the division title in 13U Girls Premier Black already won by Michigan Rush Northville 09G (MI), there was still plenty to fight for as teams aimed to finish in second place and earn promotion to Premier I ahead of the Spring 2022 season. Nationals TriCounty 09 Girls Black (MI) did exactly that, winning both of its games over the weekend to finish in second place.
• Chicago Magic 2008 MCL (IL) wrapped up its season with two wins in its final two games, putting a cap on a perfect 8-0-0 record in the 14U Boys Premier I Division, conceding only four goals in the process and scoring three goals per game. The Spring 2022 season is where a similar performance will see them earn a berth to 2022 US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships and 2022-23 National League P.R.O.
• Nine games were played this past weekend in 18U Girls Premier II Blue in a weekend hosted by Michigan Fire Juniors. MFJ 04G Elite (MI) headed into the weekend knowing that wins in its final three games of the season would clinch first place in the division and promotion to Premier I for next year. MFJ did exactly that, scoring 11 goals in the process to finish one point ahead of MI Stars 04G Elite (MI).
• The 14U Girls Premier II Black Division went down to the last day of the season, when Michigan Tigers 2008 Girls Gold (MI) secured first place ahead of SCOR Meulensteen 08 Black (MI) to earn promotion to Premier I for the Spring 2022 season. Both teams won their final two games of the season, but Michigan Tigers kept their three-point lead to earn their promotion.
• MO Rush 2009B United (MO) secured a 1-0 victory over LFA Blue Star Premier 2009B (MO) to finish as champions in the 13U Boys Premier Black Division, finishing one point ahead of Galaxy SC 2009 Blue (IL). Both teams, as a result of their top-two finishes, will be promoted to Premier I for the Spring 2022 season.
• A 3-0 win in their final game of the season allowed First XI 06 Girls (IL) to finish the season undefeated and win the 16U Girls Premier II Yellow Division to earn promotion to Premier I next year.
• Despite losing its final game of the season, Chicago Soccer Academy 03 Girls Chelsea (IL) won the 19U Girls Premier II Blue Division. CSA finished ahead of FCX 2003 Girls Black (IL) thanks to its superior goal differential. If Campton United 2003 Girls USYS Red (IL) wins its final game to join the two teams on 10 points, Chicago Soccer Academy would finish first as they hold the most points and better goal difference in games played among the tied teams.
• Needing a victory to finish at the summit of 13U Boys Premier Blue, SMV 2009 PSG (MO) earned a 5-0 win against KCSG Elite 09 B (KS) to finish tied with KC Legends 2009 Academy (KS) on 20 points. The Missouri side edged KC Legends for first place thanks to its superior goal differential, with both teams earning spots in the Premier I Division for the upcoming Spring 2022 season.
• Evolution SC 09 Girls Mercurial (IL) secured in first place in 13U Girls Premier Yellow thanks to its two wins on the weekend to finish the season undefeated —conceding just three goals across eight games. Evolution will be joined in Premier I by Crystal Lake FORCE 2009 Elite Blue (IL), which won its final game of the season to finish in second place.

Some notes from the weekend’s Girls Club vs. Club action:

• The last round of Club vs. Club games was played on Nov. 5, with Sporting St. Louis (MO) hosting Lou Fusz Athletic (MO). The matchup was split, with Lou Fusz winning the 16U game and Sporting St. Louis winning the 17U matchup, while the sides tied in the 15U, 18U and 19U age groups.

What they’re saying:

LFA Tottleben 2005G (MO) came out on top in its game on Saturday, where a loss would have left it in second place heading into the final round of games.

“We knew JB Marine Thunder was a dangerous opponent who also had a chance to win the division, so we focused on keeping possession as much as possible and delivering our very best effort for a full 90 minutes,” said Jeff Tottleben, coach of LFA Tottleben 2005G (MO). “The experience of being in Premier I the last couple of years has helped this group learn what it takes to compete at this level of play.”

“Winning the Premier I Division for the first time is a huge step forward for us as a group and brings great opportunities with it,” Tottleben continued. “We earned entry to National League P.R.O. for the current season and are very excited to be heading to Orlando for the first event next month. But knowing we have already earned a spot to return to National League P.R.O. next year is icing on the cake. It’s an amazing opportunity for our players to compete against many of the best teams in the nation as they continue to develop their game for college.”

While teams like LFA Tottleben 2005G are already celebrating a Premier I Division title, many teams, like Michigan Tigers 2008 Girls Gold (MI) and SMV 2009 PSG (MO), are excited to play in Premier I in the upcoming Spring 2022 season after earning promotion through their play in the Fall 2021 season.

“The girls set their goals at the start of the season and one of them was to get promoted to Premier I in the Midwest Conference,” said Barry Scott, coach of Michigan Tigers 2008 Girls Gold (MI). “To win 14U Girls Premier II Black Division against some very competitive teams — and to do it without losing a game and keeping six clean sheets in seven games — is truly impressive and we cannot wait to test ourselves against the best teams in the Midwest Conference this spring.”

Chris Dean, coach of SMV 2009 PSG (MO) shared his team’s eagerness to play against the best teams in the Midwest region after winning the 13U Boys Premier Blue Division to earn promotion to Premier I.

“Our last four games were over a span of four days, so the week prior was really crucial for our preparation. The boys knew that if they won the four games and got a bit of luck with the goal differential, they had a chance of winning the division,” Dean said. “The focus and determination from the boys over those four games was terrific and they got what they deserved. The team is absolutely delighted to win the division and are looking forward to playing Premier I in the spring. They know they have a lot of work to do but are very excited for the challenges.”

The Midwest Conference is one of 13 Conferences in the National League, and it consists of teams primarily from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

To follow the Midwest Conference results and standings, click here.

Click here for more information on the Midwest Conference. For more information on all 13 of the National League Conferences, the National League Showcase Series, and National League P.R.O., click here.