FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 18, 2022) — The US Youth Soccer Sunshine Conference is nearing its midway point for most divisions, and many of the races for top-of-the-table finishes feature several contenders.
The Sunshine Conference features Premier I (team-based) and Academy (club-based Divisions that each provide pathways to advance to the 2023 USYS Southern Regional Championships and the 2023-24 season of USYS National League P.R.O. Those opportunities add meaning and excitement to every game played during the conference season.
A look at some top teams in the Sunshine Conference Premier I Divisions…
In the 13U Girls Premier I Division, Nona Soccer 2010 Black is getting its first taste of Sunshine Conference competition, and is off to a 4-0-0 start after several tight games.
“Our girls are really enjoying every game with the high level of competition,” Nona coach Guillermo Escudero Tello said. “The games are really close. For example, last Saturday we play a really hard game against Jupiter and we were able to come back the score in the second half against a fantastic opponent.”
The hot start has Nona three points back of first-place Azzurri Storm 2010G Premier. Escudero Tello and his team are not looking ahead and focusing on the games in front of them, but they’re excited for the opportunities available through success at the conference level of the National League.
“We don’t want to get too excited about [the advancement opportunities] because we have six games left, and two of them are against Azzurri, which has a record of 5-0-0,” Escudero Tello said. “However, it’s an extra motivation for our girls and the whole club. It could be the first time that a Nona girls team moves forward to the Regionals and National League P.R.O.”
In the 19U Boys Premier I Division, J Petrov Academy Red is off to a 2-0-0 start in the Sunshine Conference after it picked up its second clean sheet in a decisive win on Sunday.
J Petrov coach Jeff Rubin said the strong start to the season will help to build momentum as his team gets deeper into its 2022-23 season.
“Considering that we have a handful of new players, the overall team chemistry is good, and as we progress into the season we expect the boys to gel further,” Rubin said. “Winning the first two conference matches helps build confidence as a team and allows the newcomers to quickly trust that our philosophy of training and system of play will allow them to achieve success.”
J Petrov will also be competing in National League P.R.O. this season, and the players values the experience of testing themselves there and in the conference.
“We always want to train and play with the very best competition,” Rubin said. “That is how you get better as a player and as a team. You push yourself, you push your teammates and development occurs when that’s happening on a consistent basis.
“Playing in the National League allows our players to be better because the competition demands it no matter the result of the match, and it further prepares you for the next level.”
A look at the Sunshine Conference Academy Boys Divisions…
- Jacksonville FC is currently in first place in the 13U and 14U Boys age groups.
- Weston FC is in first place in the 15U Boys age group, and in the Top 3 in the 16U, 17U and 18/19U age groups.
- Florida Rush is in first place in the 16U Boys age group, while its 14U and 15U teams are currently in both in the Top 3 of their standings.
- Clay County SC USA is in first place in the 17U Boys age group.
- West Florida Flames is currently in first place in the 19U age group.
- Several age groups feature teams with games in hand that are poised to make moves toward the top of the standings.
A look at the Sunshine Conference Academy Girls Divisions…
- Miami Rush Kendall is in first place in the 13U Girls age group, while it has teams in the Top 3 in the 15U, 16U and 17U age groups.
- Greater Boca YSA is currently leading in the 14U Girls and 18/19U Girls age groups, and its 17U Girls sit in second place.
- Sunrise SC is in first place in the 15U Girls age group and has a second-place team in the 16U Girls age group.
- Jacksonville FC is unbeaten an in first place in the 16U Girls age group.
- Florida Rush has a narrow lead in the 17U Girls age group.
- Several age groups feature teams with games in hand that are poised to make moves toward the top of the standings.
The Sunshine Conference is one of 13 conferences in the USYS National League. Action in the Sunshine Conference will continue throughout the year with teams inching closer to earning qualification into National League P.R.O. or a spot at the 2023 USYS Southern Regional Championships.
For more information on the Sunshine Conference, including schedules, scores, and standings, click here.