America's best youth clubs are sending boys as young as 14 to U.S. Soccer's residency program. Older youth players are skipping college ball and moving directly to the pros, not only to clubs in MLS but also in the English Premier League.

American soccer has seen a proliferation of big-money youth clubs in recent years. But just how good are they? Soccer America selects the top 20 boys and girls clubs based on three categories: (1) success in U.S. Youth Soccer championships since 2001; (2) the number of players who went on to national and regional teams last year; and (3) a survey of college coaches on the best clubs at developing and showcasing players.

1. FC DELCO. Philadelphia area club won 2003 McGuire Cup title, third U-19 title in four years and seventh U.S. Youth Soccer title. Players have come from across Pennsylvania – Ben Olsen hailed from Harrisburg area – and as far away as Rhode Island and Maryland. Rising Star: Ryan Soroka, a star on U.S. U-17 '88 national team.

2. CHICAGO MAGIC. Mike Matkovich's club, based in suburban Frankfort, had four players enter the U-17 residency program last fall. Magic U-17s were 2003 national champions. Its U-14s and U-15s won titles at the 2003 Super Y-League championships. Rising Star: Quavas Kirk, a top forward prospect on rising U-17 national team.

3. IRVINE STRIKERS. Former U.S. Olympic team striker Don Ebert has headed up Southern California program for 11 years. U-17s won national title in 2002 and U-15s were third in 2003. Most famous grad is MLS teen Guillermo Gonzalez. Rising Star: Joel Smith, considered one of the top '88 sweepers in the country.

4. CASL ELITE. Based in Raleigh, N.C., the Capital Area Soccer League operates elite youth program, as well as amateur team in the Premier Development League. CASL Elite won its first national title, taking 2003 U-14 division with late comeback. Rising Star: Brett King was one of four 14-year-old players to recently enter U-17 residency.

5. CONCORDE FIRE. Formed in April 2003 following the merger of the Concorde Soccer Association and Atlanta Fire. Six players on Atlanta club were named all-stars at 2003 adidas ESP camp. Won national title (U-16) in 2002 and had two regional finalists in 2003. Rising Star: Jeff Scannella, promising defender in U-17 residency.

6. LA JOLLA NOMADS. One of the oldest youth clubs in California. San Diego area club won its fifth national title in 2002, taking U-14 competition. Three Nomads – twins Gabriel and Michael Farfan and Eric Avila – entered U-17 residency in September. Rising Star: Cheezi Meltz, 13-year-old midfielder born in South Africa.

7. DALLAS TEXANS. Top choice of college coaches for showcasing and developing players for next level. Teams have captured three U.S. Youth Soccer titles (1994, 2001 and 2002). Only club with boys and girls programs ranked in top 10. Rising Star: Jonathan Villanueva, outstanding midfield prospect in U-17 residency program.

8. FC SOCKERS. Three U-17s at Chicago club turned pro in last six months: Michael Bradley (MetroStars), Jonathan Spector (Manchester United) and Will Johnson (Blackburn). Mike Stephens and Cesar Nunez, both 14, entered U.S. Soccer's residency program. Rising Star: Mike Stephens, who played up with U.S. U-17s in December.

9. HOUSTON TEXANS. The first club to win U-18 and U-19 national cups in consecutive years (2001-02). Its U-18 and U-16 teams were outstanding at last fall's Nike Friendlies in Florida. U-16s won Tampa Bay Sun Bowl weeks later. Rising Star: Takato Ban, Furman-bound midfielder who stood out at the Nike Friendlies.

10. SO CAL UNITED. Won its first national title when Alberto Bru's U-16s captured Niotis Cup last summer. Bru's U-17s and U-13s both won League Cup titles in the Coast Soccer League in the fall. Five U-17s represented Region IX at Disney's Soccer Showcase. Rising Star: UCLA-bound Greg Folk, in his second semester of U-17 residency.

11. SERENO GOLDEN EAGLES. Had three teams (U-17s, U-15s and U-14s) reach 2003 Region IV title game. Former Santa Clara coach Mitch Murray is one of seven full-time coaches. Based in North Phoenix but recruits from all over Arizona. Rising star: Giuseppe Carotenuto, who shone on recent U.S. U-15s' trip to Guadalajara.

12. COLORADO RUSH. Formed in 1997 following merger of two local clubs, the Rush services over 5,500 players. Four Rush Nike teams reached West youth finals in the last three years. U-19s finished third at 2003 nationals. Rising star: Conrad Taylor, headed to Penn State, won Bronze Glove keeper award at 2003 adidas ESP camp.

13. MICHIGAN WOLVES. Launched in 1974 thanks to support of Livonia Family YMCA. Won two boys national titles (1990 and 2003). Girls program (Hawks) has three titles. Wolves' U-18 boys captured seventh straight state title last fall. Rising star: Billy Weaver, 16th Wolves/Hawks player to win Michigan's Mr. Soccer prep award.

14. VARDAR. Michigan club formed in 1983 and named after Macedonian club Vardar Skopje. Won three national titles in the 1990s and produced Columbus Crew veterans Brian Maisonneuve and Mike Clark. Rising Star: Matthew Walker, first 14-year-old goalie to enter U.S. residency program in Bradenton, Fla.

15. PDA. New Jersey's Players Development Academy opened in 1999. Most of its boys teams are named after famous players (Socrates, Platini, Dalglish, etc.). Phil Marfuggi started in U.S. goal at the 2003 U-17 World Cup. Rising Star: Angelo Amato, high school junior who was one of the top defenders at the 2003 adidas ESP camp.

16. WEST KENDALL OPTIMIST. Community program located in southwestern Miami sent eight players to last summer's adidas ESP camp, more than any other club in the country. Won 2003 Super Y-League's U-17 championship. Rising Star: Danny Vazquez, 5-foot-5 midfielder who was the MVP at the ESP camp and is headed to SMU.

17. SCOTT GALLAGHER. World Cup players Brian McBride, Steve Trittschuh and Mike Sorber are among nine U.S. internationals from St. Louis club. It won the first of three McGuire Cup championships in 1981. Its most recent national title (U-18) came in 2000. Rising star: Keeper Nick Frasca, adidas ESP camp all-star in 2003.

18. OAKWOOD. Club is the outgrowth of an indoor center started in 1980 at a Connecticut racquet club. Now has seven outdoor fields, in addition to indoor center. Two Oakwood teams lost regional finals in overtime last summer. Rising Star: Pat Phelan, Wake Forest-bound defender and standout on last year's U.S. under-18 national team.

19. SOLAR. The second oldest youth club in the Dallas area. Many of its coaches are former Dallas Sidekicks players. Forward Kenny Cooper joined Manchester United's reserves from Solar last summer. Has one of country's best U-15 teams. Rising Star: Cameron Brown, high school freshman who went on U.S. U-15s' Guadalajara trip.

20. BETHESDA/POTOMAC COUGARS (tie). Freddy Adu won U-14 nationals with Cougars in 2001 before team joined Maryland rival Bethesda. U-17 Bethesda Internationals went unbeaten at 2003 Nike Friendlies; two more Cougars have entered Bradenton residency. Rising Stars: Rich Edgar (Potomac) and Joshua Zipin (Bethesda).

by Soccer America Magazine Editors