The girls continue the National League Quarterfinals when more than 120 Elite 64 teams travel to Mesa, Ariz., to compete Jan. 10-13 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds. Each age group features a champions pool, where teams will play in a tournament format to determine the event champion. In the 14U-19U age groups, teams in every pool are also playing for qualifying spots into the February 2025 National League Semifinals, where teams will compete for a chance to advance to the 2025 USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life.

While teams in the 13U age group will see a champions pool winner crowned, the Quarterfinals primarily serve as an opportunity to earn seeding points for next season’s events. There is no semifinal advancement in the 13U age group.

Take a look at some of the teams, games and players to watch in the 14U-19U Girls age groups during the National League Quarterfinals in January.

In its brief history in the National League, KC Legends Red Elite 64 11G (KS) has been one of the most successful teams in this age group. The Kansas side compiled a perfect 6-0-0 record in Elite 64 play last season, and it won all three of its games at its national event in Florida. With the team coming off an unbeaten fall in the Elite 64 Regional League, KC Legends will aim to continue its winning ways when it competes in the champions pool in Mesa.

A pair of teams from the Elite 64 Midwest will be ones to watch at the quarterfinals. Elmbrook United 11G Elite 64 (WI) won the division last season, as it went 13-2-3 to outlast Michigan Tigers Elite 64 11G (MI) by one point in the standings. The division race repeated itself in Fall 2024, as EBU used a two-point edge over the Tigers to finish atop the standings. Madison 56ers Elite 64 11G (WI) finished just behind the top two in both of those seasons and is another team that could make some noise in Arizona.

Like the Midwest trio, West-Mont United Elite 64 11G (PA-E) took part in a tight race in its Elite 64 division last season, as it went 11-2-1 during a second-place campaign. If its high-scoring attack travels to Arizona, West-Mont will be a challenge for opposing defenses at the quarterfinals.

Day 1 Game to Watch

Coming off similar seasons in 2023-24, West-Mont United Elite 64 11G (PA-E) and Madison 56ers Elite 64 11G (WI) could be in a nailbiter when they face off on Jan. 11. A spot in the National League Semifinals will be up for grabs, so players from both sides will need to be on top of their game from the first whistle.

US Youth SOccer ODP Players

2011 (Older) East Region – Alice Walton (West-Mont United S.A 2011G Elite 64 (PA-E))
2012 (Younger) Midwest Region – London Spencer (Midwest United FC SCOR Elite 64 11G (MI))
2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Alexa Druelle (Midwest United FC SCOR Elite 64 11G (MI))
2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Sydney Urban (EBU Elite 2011G Elite 64 (WI))
2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Mollie Samborski (EBU Elite 2011G Elite 64 (WI))
2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Nora Pintens (EBU Elite 2011G Elite 64 (WI))
2011 (Older) Midwest Region – Avery Gunn (Midwest United FC SCOR Elite 64 11G (MI))
2011 (Older) Midwest Region – Leighton Weber (Madison 56ers Elite 64 11G (WI))
2011 (Older) Midwest Region – Reese Roethe (EBU Elite 2011G Elite 64 (WI))
2011 (Older) Midwest Region – Hailey Neuerburg (Michigan Tigers FC Elite 64 11G (MI))
2011 (Older) Midwest Region – Alexis Alkidas (Michigan Tigers FC Elite 64 11G (MI))
2011 (Younger) South Region – Ryleigh Stuart (BVB IA Texas 11G FDL (TX-N))

The challenge of a national event is nothing new to Elmbrook United 10G Elite 64 (WI). The Wisconsin side followed up a solid third-place campaign in last season’s Elite 64 Midwest by winning all seven games at its two national events to punch its ticket to the National Championships. EBU, which won the Elite 64 Midwest during the Fall 2024 season, will look to continue its winning ways when it competes in Arizona.

WNY Flash Rochester Elite 64 10G (NY-W) showed a formidable team mentality during its second-place showing in last season’s Elite 64 Great Lakes standings. WNY Flash’s 8-3-0 record was fueled by four low-scoring games decided by a single goal, plus four shutouts — showing it may be difficult for opponents in Mesa to break through against the New York side.

Like WNY Flash, Madison 56ers Elite 64 10G (WI) also finished second in its Elite 64 division last season. Eight wins and eight draws from its 18 games helped Madison finish one spot ahead of EBU in the Midwest standings, and the 56ers will aim to regain that form in hopes of making a run in the champions pool at the quarterfinals.

In the silver pool, TFA Elite 64 10G (OH) could be a team to watch, as the Ohio side is off to a 3-0-0 start in Elite 64 Great Lakes play this season. TFA has outscored opponents, 10-to-1, in those games.

Day 1 Game to Watch

The pristine event record owned by Elmbrook United 10G Elite 64 (WI) could be put to the test in a Jan. 11 matchup against Charlotte SA Elite 64 10G (NC). While EBU has plenty of recent success on its resume, CSA is also entering the quarterfinals in solid form, as the North Carolina side went 8-2-0 during the Fall 2024 portion of its Elite 64 schedule. This could be an exciting game that determines a berth to the National League Semifinals.

US Youth SOccer ODP Players

2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Ingrid Kennard (Michigan Tigers FC Elite 64 10G (MI))
2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Camryn Mosier (Midwest United FC SCOR Elite 64 10G (MI))
2011 (Younger) Midwest Region – Gianna Ricci (Midwest United FC SCOR Elite 64 10G (MI))

Taka Players to Watch

Video clips and descriptions provided by Taka.

Mya Pehowski (Defender – Wisconsin United FC)
A promising young center-back with pace and a strong work ethic, Pehowski has helped Wisconsin United secure several E64 regular season shutouts.

Ellery Rietema (Defender – Michigan Rangers)
Rietema plays an important role in a formidable Rangers defense. She patrols the left side diligently and isn’t afraid to push forward when the opportunity arises.

Charlotte SA Elite 64 09G (NC) leads a strong group of Elite 64 division winners from a season ago that are set to compete in the champions pool in Mesa. CSA went 10-0-0 to win the Elite 64 Southeast in 2023-24, and it has remained perfect this season while posting an 11-0-0 mark in league play. Charlotte qualified for the National Championships via the National League last season, and it will now aim to begin a journey back to that stage.

Meanwhile, Elmbrook United 09G Elite 64 (WI) has been equally impressive in the Elite 64 Midwest, which it won with an 11-0-1 record last season. EBU followed up that performance by going 12-0-0 in Elite 64 action in Fall 2024, so it has plenty of confidence entering the quarterfinals. Steel City FC Elite 64 09G (PA-W) will be another team looking to build off a first-place campaign in 2023-24, when it won the Elite 64 Great Lakes using a combination of the division’s top-scoring attack and a defense that conceded less than a goal per game.

Michigan Tigers Elite 64 09G (MI) finished second to EBU in Elite 64 regular season action the last two seasons, but few teams could match the Tigers’ performance at national events in 2023-24. The Michigan side won all eight of its games at the events to qualify for the National Championships, and it will look to have similar success in the champions pool in Arizona.

Day 1 Game to Watch

Charlotte SA Elite 64 09G (NC)’s pursuit of another berth to Nationals will face an immediate test on Jan. 10 against Club Ohio Elite 64 09G (OH). While CSA has won back-to-back Elite 64 titles in the Southeast, Club Ohio is coming off a strong second-place showing in the league in 2023-24, and it’s currently leading the Elite 64 Great Lakes standings after a quick start this season. It’s anyone’s guess as to which side will punch its ticket to Texas in this matchup.

US Youth SOccer ODP Players

2009 Midwest Region – Lucy Colvin (EBU Elite 09G Elite 64 (WI))

Taka Players to Watch

Video clips and descriptions provided by Taka.

Lucia Leyland (Forward – Steel City FC)
Leyland has been prolific for Steel City in recent seasons, but is more than just a goal threat. An outstanding all-round player, she’s earned an incredible 364 positive highlights on Taka.

Avery Roethe (Midfielder – Elmbrook United)
An athletic and astute wide player, Roethe’s movement and skill on the ball will challenge even the best defenses.

A stellar record over the past 16 months has Michigan Tigers Elite 64 08G (MI) looking like a very challenging matchup for any champions pool opponent in Mesa. The Tigers went 10-0-2 to win the Elite 64 Midwest last season, and they bettered that record to 12-0-2 during another first-place campaign in Fall 2024. Coupled with wins in six of their seven games at national events last season, the Tigers have shown they can earn results in various competitions.

FW United Elite 64 08G (IN) has a similarly impressive recent resume. The Indiana side won the Elite 64 Great Lakes last season, and its success at the national events allowed it to advance directly to the National Championships. FW United came up two goals short while finishing as the national runner-up, and the team will now aim to use the quarterfinals as the starting point to another run toward claiming the National Championship.

The team that finished just behind FW United in the Great Lakes last season — WNY Flash Rochester Elite 64 08G (NY-W) — also held its own quite well at the national events in 2023-24, and that experience could make it a tough challenge this year in Mesa.

Meanwhile, JB Marine Gold 08G (MO) and West-Mont United Elite 64 08G (PA-E) each secured first-place finishes in their Elite 64 divisions last season, indicating they have the ability to make a run at the champions pool title during action in Arizona.

Day 1 Game to Watch

The Jan. 10 matchup between JB Marine Gold 08G (MO) and West-Mont United Elite 64 08G (PA-E) will determine a berth to the National League Semifinals, and if past results are any indication, this could be a very close contest. West-Mont conceded just 0.3 goals per game in Elite 64 play last season, while JB Marine was even stingier — allowing just 0.25 goals per game. The team that can break through first and control the tempo may be the one that ultimately secures the win.

US Youth SOccer ODP Players

2009 Midwest Region – Avery Roethe (EBU Elite 08G Elite 64 (WI))
2008 Midwest Region – Brailey Baxter (EBU Elite 08G Elite 64 (WI))
2008 Midwest Region – Ella McGinnis (Madison 56ers Elite 64 08G (WI))
2008 West Region – Jordan Zaharris (NW United Elite 64 08G (WA))

Taka Players to Watch

Video clips and descriptions provided by Taka.

Braylee Morris (Midfielder – Fort Wayne United FC)
Morris offers quality and cutting edge to an already talented Fort Wayne team. Keepers beware, she isn’t afraid to shoot from distance!

Emily Urban (Defender – Wisconsin United FC)
A formidable, mobile center-back, Urban is a key performer for a Wisconsin side who have impressed in E64 regular season action.

With a first-place showing as a 17U side in the Elite 64 Great Lakes last season, FW United Elite 64 06/07G (IN) heads to Mesa as a team to watch in the champions pool. Several players from FW United’s 19U side that advanced to the final at the 2024 National Championships are back and bring big-game experience that could give the Indiana side an edge in pressure-filled situations.

Charlotte SA Elite 64 06/07G (NC) will also present a challenge for opponents, as it won the Elite 64 Southeast in 2023-24. Charlotte’s defense helped power its success, as it conceded just five goals in eight games.

Similar showings last season have set up Madison 56ers Elite 64 06/07G (WI) and Steel City FC Elite 64 06/07G (PA-W) with chances to make some waves in the champions pool. Each side finished second in its respective Elite 64 division last season, with identical 7-3-2 records. Madison followed that by winning the Elite 64 Midwest in Fall 2024, so it will have plenty of confidence entering the games in Mesa.

Teams cannot overlook MI Rangers FC Elite 64 06/07G (MI), which returns 14 players from its 2024 19U USYS National Championship team, including Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner Ava Lutke.

Day 1 Game to Watch

Two teams coming off red hot fall seasons will match up on Jan. 10 when Madison 56ers Elite 64 06/07G (WI) takes on Indy Eleven Elite 64 06/07G (IN). The 56ers went 10-0-2 to finish in first place in the Elite 64 Midwest. Meanwhile, Indy Eleven is off to a 4-0-0 start in its Elite 64 Great Lakes schedule and has yet to concede a goal. It wouldn’t be surprising if this one came down to the final minutes or needed penalties to determine a winner.

US Youth SOccer ODP Players

2008 Midwest Region – Ella McGinnis (Madison 56ers Elite 64 06-07G (WI))
2008 Midwest Region – Zoe Sharaf (Madison 56ers Elite 64 06-07G (WI))
2007 Midwest Region – Lauren Wiitanen (Madison 56ers Elite 64 06-07G (WI))

Taka Players to Watch

Video clips and descriptions provided by Taka.

Nora Pollock (Forward – Midwest United FC)
Pollock’s movement, close control, strength and composure make her a standout player in this age group. The Midwest United SCOR goal machine has earned a remarkable 460 positive Taka highlights!

Braelyn Hundt (Forward – Elmbrook United)
Quick and decisive both in and out of possession, Hundt has the potential to do serious damage to opposing defenses in Arizona.