Many of the best players in The National League are descending on Mesa, Ariz., this weekend, as 60 boys teams compete at the first winter event of the season.

The action in Mesa features teams in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups and includes a mixture of sides from both club-based and team-based divisions. All teams are competing for advancement to postseason competitions in the Summer of 2026 — either the USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, or the inaugural edition of The National League Cup.

Click on the buttons below to check out a few teams and players that have stood out in each age group, plus take a look at which states and clubs are most represented at the event.

BOYS PREVIEWS:

An impressive 2024-25 season for Evo PFC 2012B (IL) included a second-place finish in the Premier 1 Midwest and a Midwest Regional Championship title. The Illinois side will aim for another strong campaign this year and heads to the November event in good form as it currently holds a 3-1-0 record in conference play.

An undefeated run through the Premier 1 Mid South that now stretches two seasons makes IFC 2012 Boys Premier (MS) a team that should be on everyone’s radar. The Mississippi side has a plus-26 goal differential in its five conference games this season.

MVP B12 Gold NL (KY) will hope a trip to Mesa can spark a return to last year’s form, when it finished second in the Premier 1 Great Lakes division. While the Kentucky side has struggled out of the gates this season, MVP has scored in every game so far — proving its offense can give it a shot to take points from any contest.

A 6-1-1 record in the Premier 1 Midwest saw Evo PFC 2011 B NL (IL) finish second in its division last year. The Illinois side used that form to earn a trip to the National Championships and will now look to earn a berth for the second year in a row at the November event.

Another Premier 1 Midwest squad — Minneapolis United 11B (MN) — found its stride at the end of the 2024-25 season after finishing just behind Evo PFC in the conference standings. Minneapolis’ summer run included the Midwest Regional Championship title and a runner-up finish at the National Championships.

After a third-place finish in the Premier 1 Mid South last season, IFC 2011 Boys Premier (MS) heads to Mesa with a 2-0-0 record to start the 2025-26 campaign. With six goals in just two games to date, teams may struggle to keep this offense quiet.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Benton Knox, IFC 2011 Boys Premier (MS) — A composed midfielder, strong in duels and effective at breaking up play while dictating tempo with accurate passing.

Bangally Jaiteh, Playmaker Futbol Academy 11B NL (AZ) — An aggressive midfielder with excellent game intelligence and strong positional awareness both on and off the ball. Never shies away from a challenge.

The November event in Mesa is the first step for Spartans FC Academy 10B NL (AZ) to finish what it started last season. The Arizona side, which ran through its Premier 1 Desert division with a 6-1-0 record, made it all the way to the 2025 National Championship final before ultimately falling short. Look for its prolific attack, which has 15 goals in three league games to start this season, to show up in Mesa.

Evo PFC 2010B NL (IL)’s two year stretch is one of the most successful of all teams competing at the November event. The Illinois side won a National Championship in 2024 and followed that feat by securing a first-place finish in the Premier 1 Midwest in 2024-25, as well as the 2025 Midwest Regional Championship title. Evo PFC will once again be a tough team to beat as it looks to add to its impressive resume.

Slowing down Miami Breakers FC Elite 64 10B (FL) has proved to be a difficult task over the last year. The Breakers piled in 56 goals en route to a first place finish in the Premier 1 Sunshine last year and should continue to be a problem for opposing defenses at the November event in Mesa.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Carlos Gonzalez Castellano, Spartans FC Academy 10B NL II (AZ) — An all-around attacker who can score, combine effectively with teammates, and produce moments of creativity out of nothing.

Jack Vines, Spartans FC Academy 10B NL II (AZ) — A commanding goalkeeper with excellent shot-stopping ability, strong handling on crosses, and outstanding reading of the game.

Eduardo Ponce Cruz, Legends FC SD North 09B NL (CA-S) — Brilliant on set pieces and in tight spaces, combining sharp link-up play with excellent close control. A constant threat whenever he’s in possession.

A plus-26 goal differential propelled Aggies FC 09B Blue (UT) to the top of its Premier 1 Desert division last season. The Utah side’s success continued with a Far West Regional Championship and a trip to Nationals, but the Aggies fell short of advancing out of group play. The November event will be the first step in its attempt to go even further this year.

One of the most impressive seasons in recent memory came from LASC 09B NL (CA-S)’s undefeated run last year. The Cal South side — through 22 games — tallied 121 goals and gave up only eight in its Club Premier 1 Pacific division. LASC can score early and often.

In a competitive 2024-25 Premier 1 Sunshine division, Miami Breakers FC 09B Elite (NL)’s plus-45 goal differential gave it the cushion it needed at the top. The Florida side’s defense proved tough to break down all season, as it gave up just two goals in its 14 games. The Breakers could once again find success if that toughness travels to Mesa.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Andrew Godoi Neves, KOSA 09B Black (SC) — A powerful and athletic attacker who dominates aerially and poses a constant scoring threat from anywhere on the pitch. Defenders must stay alert at all times.

Bryson Penrose, Aggies FC 09B Blue (UT) — Brilliant link-up play, clever movement, and the creativity to make something happen from nothing

A high-scoring attack looks to have carried over to the new season for Excel Soccer Academy 08 NL (AZ). The Arizona side scored 68 goals during its first-place finish in its Premier 1 Pacific division last season and has quickly tallied 22 during the first four games of 2025-26 play. There will be no shortage of scoring during its time in Mesa.

A cross-country trip awaits Southern Homestead Soccer Academy 08 (FL) when it heads to the November event. The Florida side should head west with some confidence after it came out on top of a competitive Premier 1 Sunshine division last season — a campaign that saw them earn points in all but one game. The one game that Southern Homestead dropped was to second-place Pinellas County United SC Blue 2008 (FL). Pinellas heads to Mesa in strong form (3-0-0 in league play) and with something to prove.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Roberto Chaidez Robles, Excel Soccer Academy 08 NL (AZ) — A highly promising young goalkeeper with excellent distribution and strong command of his area. Attackers need to be at their best to beat him.

Alejandro Cruz, Strikers Miami FC 07B Elite (FL) — A sharp, fearless goalkeeper, Cruz is a brilliant shot-stopper with great awareness and timing off his line.

Tristan S Martinez, Oceanside Breakers 07/08B (CA-S) — An honest, hard-working No. 9 who pins defenders, links play effectively, and loves finding the back of the net.