Girls Academy League Playoffs Set to Kick Off in Norco, California!

Springfield, USA - The excitement in youth soccer circles is palpable as the Girls Academy League has announced the group draw for its summer playoffs slated for June 19-24 in Norco, California. This year’s playoffs promise not only fierce competition but also thrilling showcase games throughout the event. Post-playoffs, the finals for the U14, U15, U16, and U17 age groups will be held from July 10-13 in Richmond, Virginia.

As teams gear up for these anticipated matches, here’s a breakdown of the group stages for the Under-13 to Under-19 categories:

Groupings for the Summer Playoffs

For the Under-13 age group, the teams are divided into four groups:

• Group A: SJEB FC, Utah Celtic, Spokane Shadow, City SC Blue
• Group B: Chicago FC United, Kansas Rush, Rhode Island Surf, West Florida Flames
• Group C: Ajax United, Springfield SYC, Cincinnati United Gold, BVB International Academy
• Group D: City SC White, HTX Soccer, TopHat Gold, Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth

The Under-14 teams will compete in eight groups, showcasing a variety of talent:

• Group A: NEFC Red, Lamorinda SC, South Carolina Surf, Seattle Celtic
• Group B: Indy Premier SC, HTX Soccer, Rhode Island Surf, Almaden FC
• Group C: Lou Fusz Athletic, Union KC Soccer Club, Colorado United, Spokane Shadow
• Group D: City SC White, Utah Celtic, SF Elite, Springfield SYC
• Group E: Real Futbol Academy, New York SC, SoCal Reds FC, Silicon Valley SA
• Group F: Central Illinois United, LA Surf SC, Columbus United, St. Louis DA
• Group G: Galaxy SC (IL), Keystone FC, Cincinnati United Gold, Wake FC
• Group H: TopHat Gold, Michigan Jaguars, Wasatch SC, Coppermine SC

As for the Under-15s, here’s how the groups shape up:

• Group A: TopHat Gold, Cincinnati United Gold, Kansas Rush, Washington East Surf SC
• Group B: Galaxy SC (IL), Lou Fusz Athletic, RNY FC Youth, South Carolina Surf SC
• Group C: Baltimore Armour, North Shore United, New York SC, West Florida Flames
• Group D: Broomfield Soccer Club, South Valley Surf SC, SoCal Reds FC, Baltimore Celtic SC
• Group E: Columbus United, Silicon Valley SA, SJEB FC, St. Louis DA
• Group F: Seacoast United, Spokane Shadow, Michigan Jaguars FC, New Mexico Soccer Academy
• Group G: Sporting Nebraska FC, FRAM SC, Century United SC, HTX Soccer
• Group H: City SC White, NEFC Red, Clovis Crossfire, Eugene Metro FC

The Under-16 age group includes some exciting match-ups as well:

• Group A: TopHat Gold, Almaden FC, Keystone FC, NEFC Red
• Group B: Michigan Jaguars FC, West Florida Flames, Virginia Revolution SC, City SC White
• Group C: Silicon Valley SA, FRAM SC, Florida United, Syracuse Development Academy
• Group D: RNY FC Youth, SC del Sol, Chicago FC United, PA Classics
• Group E: Lamorinda SC, HTX Soccer, Galaxy SC (IL), Bayside FC
• Group F: Spokane Shadow, Louisiana Elite, Utah Celtic, Rhode Island Surf
• Group G: Wasatch SC, STA, Beadling SC, St. Louis DA
• Group H: Indy Premier SC, SC Wave, Seattle Reign Academy, Las Vegas Sports Academy

Finally, the Under-17s will battle it out in eight different groups:

• Group A: Lou Fusz Athletic, Utah Celtic, FRAM SC, Tonka Fusion Elite
• Group B: Indy Premier SC, Sporting Nebraska FC, Keystone FC, St. Louis DA
• Group C: Galaxy SC (IL), New York SC, HTX Soccer, South Valley Surf
• Group D: Beadling SC, City SC White, IMG Academy, Santa Clara Sporting
• Group E: TopHat Gold, Spokane Shadow, Oakwood SC, Michigan Jaguars FC
• Group F: STA, Baltimore Armour, NM Rapids SC, Cincinnati United Gold
• Group G: West Coast FC, Lamorinda SC, Washington East Surf, Florida United
• Group H: NEFC Navy, Sporting Athletic Club, Seattle Reign Academy, Silicon Valley SA

The Importance of Age Grouping in Youth Soccer

Understanding how age groups work is essential for players and parents alike. Before 2016, youth soccer age groups were tied to the school year, which often led to confusion. However, the introduction of a birth year registration system has streamlined the process significantly. Now, calculating a child’s soccer age involves a simple subtraction of the birth year from the end year of the soccer season, clarifying placement in league play. For example, a child born in 2015 would find themselves in the U8 category for the 2022-2023 season, as explained by QuickStart Soccer. The U.S. youth soccer calendar now runs from January 1st to December 31st, ensuring fairness and consistent competition based on age rather than grade or physical size.

Whether your child is looking to break into the exciting world of competitive soccer or just get a kick out of playing with friends, understanding how these age groups function can help parents and coaches align players appropriately. For those looking for a reference, the U.S. Youth Soccer Age Group Chart offers clear guidelines from age groups U5 to U19, making it a handy tool for anyone involved in youth soccer.

The summer playoffs in Norco are just around the corner, and there’s a real sense of anticipation in the air. With teams from across the nation ready to compete, this year’s event is set to be a remarkable showcase of young athletic talent.