The U-15 age group, in this case full of 2004-born players, is one that's approached with caution.
Interest from college coaches begins to pick up steam, but the vast majority of players are just getting a taste of high school or prep school soccer. In other words, encouraging signs have begun to emerge, but several chapters remain to be written.
Such is the case when highlighting New England's five U-15 teams in the Elite Clubs National League. Standouts have surfaced at FC Stars East, FC Stars West, Connecticut FC, Scorpions SC and FSA – though they're far from the finished product.
This age group's first national event was Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at ECNL South Carolina, while their next chance on the national stage comes at ECNL Texas from Feb. 16-18. League play gets underway in March.