U19 Boys NPL Fall Showcase Recap
NPL 1 A
Division Winner
San Juan
Champions League Qualifiers
San Juan, Placer United
With just two teams heading to the Champions League, the NPL 1 A saw one of the tightest division races go down to the wire. When the dust settled, first place and fourth place were separated by just two points, with San Juan (18 points) scoring in the dying minutes against South Valley United to clinch a spot. Had San Juan not scored that goal, they would have missed out on the Champions League entirely. Instead, third-place Galt FC (16 points) missed out altogether after losing both of their weekend contests. Their loss was Placer United’s gain, as United gutted out two victories to finish with 17 points and claim the final Champions League spot.
NPL 1 B
Division Winner
Atletico Santa Rosa
Champions League Qualifiers Teams
Atletico Santa Rosa, Santa Clara Sporting 99
With first-place Atletico Santa Rosa (20 points) assured of the league title heading into Sunday, the only question was who would join them in the Champions League in the second spot in the table. Third-place Marin FC (14 points) initially looked to have the advantage after going up 1-0 on Santa Clara Sporting (20 points). But Sporting rushed back into the game and eventually came out as 4-1 winners to secure their spot in what was an unbeaten season for4-0-6 Sporting.
NPL 1 C
Division Winner
Santa Clara Sporting 00
Champions League Qualifiers Teams
Santa Clara Sporting 00, Star Academy, Marin FC 99, Clovis Crossfire
Top-ranked Santa Clara Sporting (25 points) easily assured Champions League qualification and a league title in an unbeaten season that saw them drop points just once all year. While second-place Star Academy (21 points) lost twice on the year, they picked up two victories at the showcase to ensure their spot in the Champions League as well. Joining them will be third-place Marin FC 99 (18 points) and fourth-place Clovis Crossfire (15 points), with the latter defeating the former on Sunday to garner a spot in the spring’s top division at the expense of MVLA Dortmund, who went 1-1 over the weekend.
NPL 2 EAST
Division Winner
Merced Atlas Academy
During the Showcase, Atlas Academy Merced (28 points) continued what they’d been doing all season: scoring tons of goals. The club cemented their NPL 1 status in the spring with two victories that featured a combined goal differential of plus-seven over the weekend. Heading to the NPL 2 are Monarcas Academy (16 points), who also picked up two wins over the weekend.
NPL 2 WEST
Division Winner
Peninsula SC
No one could stop Peninsula SC (27 points) all fall, and their impressive run to the NPL 1 continued during the NPL College Showcase with 11 goals and two victories over the two-day event. Joining them in the NPL 1 are Alpine Strikers (24 points), who also posted two wins over the weekend. Meanwhile, third-place Mustang SC (19 points) and fourth-place Palo Alto SC (16 points) earned spots in the NPL 2 after strong Showcases.
