Parents and coaches have been asking the same question for years: Where does my state's team rank?
Until now, there was no good answer. TopDrawerSoccer ranks nationally. GotSport focuses on tournament placements. High school rankings only cover one slice. Nobody offered comprehensive youth soccer rankings by state — until PitchRank.
We track 25,000+ teams across all 50 statesusing one consistent methodology. No politics. No favoritism. Just data. Here's everything you need to know about youth soccer rankings by state in 2026.
Why State Rankings Matter for Youth Soccer
National rankings get the headlines. But state rankings answer the questions parents actually ask.
"How does my team compare to other clubs in our state?" — State rank tells you.
"Should we switch clubs?" — State rankings reveal the full competitive landscape.
"Is our league strong enough?"— Compare your state's top teams to yours.
"Where does our state stack up nationally?" — Cross-state comparison matters for college recruiting.
State rankings also solve a problem national rankings create: context. Being #47 in California means something very different from #47 in Wyoming. California has 15,000+ teams. Wyoming has hundreds. State rankings level the playing field.
How PitchRank Calculates State Rankings
Most ranking systems either ignore state entirely or use inconsistent methods. PitchRank applies the same 13-layer V53E algorithm to every team, in every state.
What We Track
The result: a PowerScore from 0.0 to 1.0. We rank teams within each state, then connect states through cross-regional competition. A California U14 team that beats a Texas U14 team creates a bridge. Over time, we build a national map — state by state.
Top States for Youth Soccer
Based on team count, competitive density, and PowerScore distribution, these states lead youth soccer in 2026:
15,693 teams tracked. LAFC Youth, San Diego Surf, United SoCal. Most competitive state in the country. View CA rankings →
9,460 teams. FC Dallas, Solar SC, Lonestar SC, Dallas Texans. Year-round play across Dallas, Houston, Austin. View TX rankings →
4,500+ teams. Florida Rush, Orlando City, Tampa Bay United, Jacksonville FC. ECNL and MLS Next across the state. View FL rankings →
1,940 teams. Phoenix Rising FC, RSL Arizona, CCV Stars, Arizona Arsenal. Fastest-growing youth soccer state in the West. View AZ rankings →
We cover all 50 states. Use the rankings page to filter by state, age group, and gender.
State vs National Rankings: What's the Difference?
State Rank
- Your team vs. teams in your state
- Best for club comparison, league context
- Top 10% in California = elite
National Rank
- Your team vs. all teams nationally
- Best for college recruiting, showcase prep
- Top 10% nationally = very elite
Reality check: A team ranked #20 in California might be #150 nationally. A team ranked #20 in Montana might be #800 nationally. State rankings give you local context. National rankings give you national context. Use both.
FAQ: Youth Soccer Rankings by State
How often do state rankings update?
PitchRank updates rankings weekly, typically Monday evenings. New game results are processed continuously; the full recalculation runs weekly.
Are state rankings the same as high school rankings?
No. High school rankings (e.g., FHSAA in Florida, AHSAA in Alabama) cover school teams. PitchRank ranks club teams — the teams that play in ECNL, MLS Next, NPL, and state cups. Different ecosystems.
Why doesn't TopDrawerSoccer have state rankings?
TopDrawerSoccer focuses on national TeamRank for elite age groups (U13–U19). They don't break down by state. GotSport ranks by tournament performance but doesn't offer comprehensive state-by-state rankings. PitchRank fills that gap.
Can I compare my state to another state?
Yes. Our algorithm connects states through cross-regional games. When a California team plays a Texas team, that result feeds both state rankings. Over time, we build comparable PowerScores across states.
What if my state has fewer teams?
Smaller states still get rankings. Coverage may be thinner (fewer games tracked), so rankings can be more volatile. As we track more games, accuracy improves.
Find Your Team's State Rank
Ready to see where your team stands? Filter by state, age group, and gender. Get the data-backed perspective you need — no politics, no favoritism, just the numbers.
Find your team's rank at PitchRank.io →
About PitchRank: Most accurate youth soccer rankings in the US. Powered by a 13-layer V53E algorithm and ML adjustment. 25,000+ teams. All 50 states. Learn how we rank teams →