March 9th initiated the second part of the 12U Illinois Midwest Conference Qualifier (MWCQ), and with most teams still needing half of their games to play, there is so much still at stake. A reminder that this competition is used to determine teams that will qualify for the US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference in the Fall 2024 13U age group. This is designed for the most competitive 12U teams in the state of Illinois!
12U Girls
The first half of the season games concluded with FC United at the top of the Girls division with 8 wins in 8 games and with a commanding 38 goals scored and only 2 scored against! Elmhurst City SA is not far behind with 19 points in 8 games played, with 6 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. FC United has a 3-point advantage with a game in hand over Elmhurst City SA, as the second half of the season approaches. The two teams faced off October 28th, in a very close match where FC United came out on top 1-0. They will have to visit Elmhurst in their second confrontation, in what is undoubtedly a highly anticipated rematch.
Creeping up are both Greater Libertyville Soccer Association (GLSA FC) and Wheaton United SC in 3rd and 4th place respectively, with 17 points, however, Wheaton United has a game in hand. First matchup saw GLSA visit Wheaton United where they were able to get the upper hand in a close battle, ending 3-2 in favor of the visitors. June 1st, GLSA will host Wheaton United, in what seems could be a defining game in the standings.
Galaxy SC is within striking distance, with 15 points in less games played (9). A string of good results for Galaxy, can see them climb the table quite rapidly. Windy City Rampage FC seems to be a team to watch as well, as they have 4 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in 6 games. With 13 points and one of the 4 wins coming against GLSA, Windy City Rampage is looking like a team on the rise. Having a loss to Galaxy SC, however, really sets up the top of the table for an exciting second half of the season.
The season is far from over and there is so much yet to play – click here for standings and the upcoming schedule!
12U Boys
With 20 teams on the boys side of the 12U MWC Qualifier, things are set up for an exciting spring half of the season. Top of the table is tight with Chicago Fire Youth closing the fall half at the helm with 27 points, one point ahead of 2nd place, Ponys FC. Chicago Fire has an astronomical 93 goals scored in 9 games with only 3 goals against. Undefeated entering spring and with such commanding wins, they seem to be the team to beat. Chicago Fire is not the only undefeated team however, as after 10 games played, 8 wins and 2 draws see Ponys FC hold 2nd place. While 93 goals scored is astounding, 67 goals scored by Ponys is incredibly impressive and they will be looking to continue proving themselves a strong adversary! Do not forget about Chicago Magic as they sit in 3rd place, undefeated as well, with 25 points after 9 games played. 8 wins and 1 draw sees Chicago Magic as another team to fear, they match Chicago Fire with only 3 goals scored against!
The top 3 teams in the standings are yet to face each other, making these matchups a must-win for all.
With a lot of teams having more than half of their games to play, the table will surely move. Only 7 points separates 4th place from 10th, with FC-1 in 4th with 22 points and FCX in 10th with 15. 12th place Chicago Inter, and 13th place Raiders FC have only played 5 games, and both have 3 wins out of the 5; with 14 games left to play for them, the standings for the division will be one to watch!
The 12U Boys MWC Qualifier will be one to pay great attention to this spring season and you can see the standings and follow along by clicking here!