The end of the Fall season of the USYS National League Conferences, Managed by EDP Soccer, is approaching. With nearly two months of the season complete, teams are looking to cement themselves at the top of the table.
The National League Conferences provide competing teams the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 USYS Eastern Regional Championships through league play and also a chance to earn their place in the 2022-2023 season of USYS National League P.R.O.
JUMP TO: Mid Atlantic | New England | North Atlantic | South Atlantic
North Atlantic Conference
USYS Eastern Regional Champion Brentwood SC 2008 Premier Man City is in first place in the 14U Boys Academy Division, but it has two very challenging upcoming matches. This weekend, Brentwood takes on Inter CT, which is tied with Brentwood with 15 points but with one more game played. Brentwood then takes on AC Connecticut, which is two points behind, and can surpass them with a win in that match.
“I believe that any team that comes up against Brentwood sees it as a challenge, but also an opportunity to see where your team stands amongst the best in the region,” said Steven Carneiro, the AC Connecticut Director of Youth Development. “Brentwood are the Regional Champions, and we are excited to host them this weekend. This is a testament to the National League to see so many qualified teams and clubs together in the North Atlantic Conference, where competitive games are provided weekly and every time we have played Brentwood it has been competitive. This weekend should be no different.”
In the Academy Divisions on the girls’ side, STA has lost just once between the 2009 and 2008 age groups, with the 2009 girls owning a 4-0-0 record and sitting just three points behind PSA North with two games in hand. The 2008 girls are four points behind NJ Premier FC with one game in hand. In the 2008 bracket, NJ Premier FC is also three points ahead of PSA Monmouth, with PSA Monmouth having a game in hand.
“It’s been a great start to the season, and it’s never an easy transition from 9v9 to 11v11, but I think the girls have adapted very well. Training sessions have been consistent resulting in performing well during games,” said Mike Bello, STA 13UG head coach. “I am very proud of the team's chemistry as we have a strong team bond which keeps us going. As the season comes to an end, we have two big games upcoming that can put us in favorites as league winners. Our aim is to stay focused and take one game at a time. Treat each game like a final, give it 100% and fingers crossed we can get the results we need.”
With two games left to play in the 14U Boys Premier I Division, there is still a three-way race at the top of the table. Stony Brook-LGN has 14 points, and Barca Academy PRO NY and FFA Kante are sitting on 13 points.
“The North Atlantic Premier I Division continues to be a great option for our team to develop,” said Matthew Mannina, head coach of Stony Brook-LGN Wildlings Blue. “I am very proud of our team, as we are continuously refining our game. We are excited about the opportunity to finish at the top of the standings and go undefeated, and hopefully we can keep this momentum in November to finish off the season."
FC Somers Lady Hammers are a perfect 4-0-0 with three games remaining, and are five points ahead of the next three teams, who are each tied with seven points. With wins in two of their last three matches, FC Somers would be able to secure the top spot.
All scores for the North Atlantic Conference can be found here.
Mid Atlantic Conference
The 14U Boys Premier I Division will see a vital match between Lehigh Valley United and Ironbound SC this upcoming weekend to determine who will position themselves in poll position for the end of the season. LVU is currently in first place with 15 points, and Ironbound SC is in second place with 13 points. Both sides look to stay ahead of YMS and Torpedoes SC, who both have 10 points.
“The USYS Mid Atlantic Premier I season has been very exciting for us so far. We have experienced tough and determined competition from talented teams hungry to make their mark,” said Carlos Pernas, head coach of Ironbound SC United 2008. “As the season begins to wind down, some of our most challenging games are yet to come on our road to National League P.R.O. We remain competitive thanks to strong and consistent team performances and standout efforts from key players like Mathew Azanza, Robby Dasler Jr., and Alexander Lopez to name a few.”
The boys’ Academy Divisions in the 2009 and 2008 age groups both have close fights at the top of the table. The 2008 boys have four teams within three points, with PSA Monmouth in first place with a 5-0-0 record and 15 points. PDA Hibernian and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals have 13 points and Lower Merion SC has 12 points. In the 2009 age group, PDA Hibernian is also in second place, with a big match upcoming this weekend.
“The competition in both age groups (2009 & 2008) has been excellent,” said Brian Grazier, Director of PDA Hibernian. “The games have challenged our club from a technical, tactical and psychological standpoint, which is imperative to further player development. We look forward to the remaining games this Fall season.”
Lower Merion SC Lynx sits in first place in the 13U Girls Premier I Division, with a big match this weekend against second-place NJ Blaze, which is just one point behind. Trailing those two sides are West Mont United, Lehigh Valley United, Real Jersey FC and Wall Elite Spirit, who each have over a .500 record and have eyes to climb to the top of the table.
“The competition in the USYS Mid Atlantic Conference has been good and the league has been very well run,” said Pete Gangl, head coach of Lower Merion SC Lynx 09 Girls. “Our players work extremely hard in each training session to prepare for each and every match. We are looking forward to the remaining Fall schedule. Each player has played a significant role and the team is finding success with a team-first mentality.”
All scores for the Mid Atlantic Conference can be found here.
South Atlantic Conference
With one game remaining for Baltimore Crew FC 08 in the 14U Boys Premier I Division, the team can clinch the division with a win next weekend over Coppermine SC. However, if Baltimore drops points, both Cerritos Academy and Potomac SA can catch them. Cerritos is four points back and Potomac is five points back, and both teams have two games remaining to play.
“The USYS South Atlantic Premier I season has been the toughest competition the Baltimore Crew has ever played,” said Thomas Karle, head coach of Baltimore Crew FC 08 Boys. “Each and every game has been a nail-biter, coming down to the last minute several times. It has been a complete team defensive effort in our free man-marking system, allowing just three goals over six games.”
In a three-way race in the 14U Girls Premier I Division, Coppermine has one game remaining with 14 points, while Keystone FC and Penn FC each have 13 points and two games remaining. The two Pennsylvania sides face off this upcoming weekend, which could determine this season's winner.
“Our experience in the USYS South Atlantic Conference this year has been everything we could ask for as coaches. Every game is very competitive, with teams playing good soccer,” said Kevin McKee, head coach of Keystone FC Premier 08 Girls. “That puts the players in a position to grow, which is exciting. Each of our three remaining games will determine where we will finish in the league. The margins are that small, but in particular, the game Sunday against Penn FC will be important. It has been a total team experience for us, each week someone different stepping up to the plate, which is just awesome to see.”
All scores for the South Atlantic Conference can be found here.
New England Conference
Seacoast United Mass South has been the top club this Fall in the Boys Club vs. Club Division, with the 09 Boys sitting at 7-0-0 with three games remaining. It still has an important match with Juventus Academy Boston EDP N, which has dropped just two points this season and will contend for the top spot. The Seacoast United Mass South 2008 Boys are 5-0-1 and sit just one point ahead of Seacoast United Bedford and two points ahead of Western United Pioneers FC.
"For me, our team's experience in the New England Conference Club vs. Club Division has been fantastic. Each week, we meet quality competition who are not just good teams to play against, but they also show great sportsmanship and have been set up to play in a positive way,” said Gary Nolan, Seacoast United MA South Director. “The communication from the league has been clear each week and the directors really seem to care about the experience each team gets on game day. I would recommend this league to any club considering a move.”
In the 2008 Girls Premier I Division, 2021 Eastern Regional Champion New England Surf Navy sits at the top of the table with 12 points — having four wins and one loss, with two games remaining. One of those games is against CFC North 2008 Regional NL, which sits just two points behind them with a record of 3-1-1. AC Connecticut G08 also has 10 points with two games to go, while CT Rush has 10 points and one game left, and Ole Impact has 9 points and one game left — rounding out the group making a push toward the top.
All scores for the New England Conference can be found here.