by Soccer America , Jan 16, 2013

[SOCCER AMERICA BEST CLUBS] For the first time, an MLS club claimed the top spot in the Soccer America's top 30 rankings of the Best Boys Clubs. The New York Red Bulls ranked No. 1, followed by FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire to give MLS academy programs the top four spots in our 10th annual rankings.

The Red Bulls defeated St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri, 1-0, to win the 2012 Development Academy U-15/16 championship. The U-15/16s were were so deep that they had seven players who have spent time in the U.S. U-17 residency program, including goalscorer Alex Muyl and goalie Evan Louro, who had three straight shutouts in the competition.



In his debut with the U.S. U-18s in November, Amando Moreno had goals in back-to-back games against Canada. Moreno was the 22th Red Bull academy player to get called up to a U.S. national team youth in 2012.



Moreno and goalie Santiago Castano have signed pro clubs with the Red Bulls, while striker Izzy Tandir will join French club Sochaux in the summer.



Criteria: Soccer America selects the top 30 clubs based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years (2010-12) and the selection of their current players to national youth teams and other national youth events in 2012.



2012 Top 30 Boys Rankings

1. New York Red Bulls

2. FC Dallas

3. Los Angeles Galaxy

4. Chicago Fire

5. Baltimore Bays

6. Concorde Fire

7. Columbus Crew

8. Dallas Texans

8. CASL

10. PDA

11. Pateadores

12. Chivas USA

13. Real So Cal

13. Michigan Wolves

15. Real Salt Lake AZ

16. St. Louis Scott Gallagher

16. Solar

16. Vardar

19. Crossfire

20. PA Classics

20. De Anza Force

20. Chicago Magic

23. New England Revolution

24. Fullerton Rangers

24. South Carolina United Battery

26. D.C. United

26. FC Delco

26. North Carolina Fusion

29. Seattle Sounders

30. Alpharetta Ambush



No. 1 Boys Clubs

2003 -- FC Delco

2004 -- Chicago Magic

2005 -- Chicago Magic

2006 -- Chicago Magic

2007 -- Dallas Texans

2008 -- Chicago Magic

2009 -- Baltimore Bays

2010 -- Baltimore Bays

2011 -- Baltimore Bays

2012 -- New York Red Bulls