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The wait is officially over.
How appropriate the start of the new boys soccer season is marked by excessive heat.
Is there a more symbolic way to welcome back the top players and teams than Chicagoland Soccer’s annual First 50 preseason poll?
Events, players and the game itself have never felt so electric.
For those coming here for the first time, this state-wide poll presents our prediction of whom to look for throughout the state.
Every IHSA member team in the state was considered. Their pasts past accomplishments and returning talent was measured and studied. Soccer can be a predictive sport.
Past performance overwhelmingly tends to carry over. Nearly 85 percent (42 out of the 50 teams) made the rankings of the Final 50 following the first ever three-class state championship day at Hoffman Estates last November.
New Trier (3A), Crystal Lake South (AA) and North Shore Country Day (A) were crowned the top of their class.
The First 50 is a conversation point, a moment to reflect on the past and get ready for the present. Typically the defending 3A champion is awarded the top spot.
Naperville North feels like a team too good and powerful to ignore. The Huskies, who finished third in 3A, return 10 starters from that team, including All-State forwards Noah Radeke and Jaxon Stokes. goalkeeper Jack Bouska and defender Sam Hess.
New Trier follows, joined at the hip by two other elite programs in the Central Suburban League South Division, which is again ready to stake its claim as the top soccer conference in the state.
Glenbrook North was the only team to beat New Trier last year. The Trevians secured their revenge with a state semifinal victory en route to the 3-1 championship triumph over Lyons.
Three of the top eight teams in the poll (along with with Evanston) hail from the conference.
CSL South. Give them their bouquets.
Notre Dame (Peoria) is again the top-rated program outside of Chicago. The Irish come off consecutive appearances in the AA state title game, with a championship and runnerup finish.
Crystal Lake South is the top-rated AA program of the Chicago area programs.
That’s the background.
The games start this week. If the past is any indication, the season will be jammed with possibility and excitement. Chicagoland Soccer is here to take it all in and capture the excitement.
During the season at the end of each week, Chicagoland Soccer will publish the Top 25 poll for teams in the Chicago-area, the Illinois 10 for the best programs outside the city and suburbs, and Super 7 polls for AA and A for the top remaining teams in those classes.
The possibilities ahead are infinite, like the beauty and wonder of the game itself. Enjoy the ride.
(Previous ranking refers to the team’s placement in the Final 50 poll last November. NR means the team was not ranked. The records are the final marks from last year.)
| Rank | Previous rank | Team | Record | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Naperville North | 22-3-4 | 10 returning starters from state third place team |
| 2 | 1 | New Trier | 23-1-2 | Five returning starters, and seven key rotation players aim for repeat |
| 3 | 5 | Glenbrook North | 21-5-2 | Loaded for another deep run |
| 4 | 16 | Morton | 16-6-2 | Defense looks to be spectacular and disruptive |
| 5 | 10 | Notre Dame (Peoria) | 22-2-3 | Looking for third-straight AA title game run |
| 6 | 11 | Leyden | 18-5-1 | 15 returning players from sectional finalist |
| 7 | 8 | Elgin | 16-4-3 | Athletic, competitive and well-balanced |
| 8 | 12 | Evanston | 17-3-3 | Three of top four scorers are back |
| 9 | 13 | Bloom | 25-2-0 | Omar Ortiz is one of the state's best players |
| 10 | 9 | Crystal Lake South | 22-4-1 | AA champ has 5 returning starters and 2 elite scorers |
| 11 | 21 | Naperville Central | 12-6-7 | Six talented returners and dynamic young talent from sectional finalist |
| 12 | 24 | Notre Dame (Niles) | 15-4-2 | Seven starters are back from sectional qualifier |
| 13 | 2 | Lyons | 20-7-2 | One starter back, but much talent and tradition |
| 14 | 20 | Triad | 22-2-1 | Titans are ready for another deep run |
| 15 | 24 | Moline | 16-1-3 | The best team out of the Quad Cities |
| 16 | 15 | Collinsville | 14-7-1 | Solid returners from supersectional surprise team |
| 17 | 33 | West Aurora | 19-4-0 | Power Selemani is a sensational athlete |
| 18 | 29 | Stevenson | 16-3-1 | Six starters and six rotational players return for sectional qualifier |
| 19 | 35 | Rochester | 19-7-0 | Excellent top-line talent from AA fourth-place team |
| 20 | 34 | Streamwood | 15-5-4 | Sabres will be a force in new West Division of Upstate 8 |
| 21 | NR | Libertyville | 7-8-3 | Seventeen returning players, and some intriguing newcomers |
| 22 | NR | Glenwood | 9-9-5 | Seven starters back for perrenial power |
| 23 | 36 | Lane | 12-4-1 | Will challenge Taft and Young for city supremacy |
| 24 | 16 | York | 16-5-0 | Four starters and three crucial rotational talents are back |
| 25 | 4 | Oak Park and RIver Forest | 21-1-2 | Bryce Richards leads next wave of talent |
| 26 | 23 | Brother Rice | 19-4-2 | New coach, same deep and skilled roster |
| 27 | 41 | Marmion | 12-4-3 | Cadets have skill, depth and talented individuals |
| 28 | 26 | Round Lake | 16-6-1 | Jorgie Morales is a breathtaking talent |
| 29 | 21 | Springfield | 22-3-0 | Senators are ready for state AA run |
| 30 | 18 | Taft | 14-7-1 | Watch out for Valentyn Solomchak |
| 31 | NR | Glenbrook South | 10-10-3 | Two elite club talents bolster 14 returning players |
| 32 | 19 | Young | 15-7-3 | Five starters back from sectional qualifier |
| 33 | 6 | Palatine | 20-1-3 | Seven returners back from a one-loss power |
| 34 | 38 | Benet | 14-4-3 | Four starters and key rotational players return for sectional finalist |
| 35 | 37 | Timothy | 18-7-0 | Depth, skill and versatile lineup for supersectional qualifier |
| 36 | 27 | St. Laurence | 15-8-2 | Superb sophomore class makes up for graduation losses |
| 37 | 32 | Romeoville | 17-6-3 | Saul Garcia leads the resurgence |
| 38 | NR | Geneva | 13-6-2 | Vikings have been a model of consistency |
| 39 | 14 | St. Charles East | 19-8-0 | Young and very intriguing team |
| 40 | NR | Boylan | 16-4-3 | Rockford's traditional power maintains its status |
| 41 | 7 | Stagg | 18-4-1 | Talented newcomers offset heavy graduation losses |
| 42 | NR | Washington (Ill.) | 17-6-3 | A top threat to Notre Dame (Peoria) |
| 43 | NR | Warren | 12-10-2 | Seven returning players from a perennial power |
| 44 | 45 | University (Normal) | 21-6-2 | Seven returning starters from A state runnerup |
| 45 | 44 | Dunlap | 16-5-3 | Another skilled, solid and very deep group |
| 46 | 43 | Althoff | 21-5-1 | Ready to stake their claim to elite status in Deep South |
| 47 | NR | Huntley | 16-6-1 | Top threat to Crystal Lake South in the FVC |
| 48 | NR | Hersey | 8-6-3 | 12 returning players and skilled newcomers to boot |
| 49 | 42 | Champaign Central | 19-4-2 | Typically one of Illinois' most dynamic, explosive attacks |
| 50 | 49 | Wauconda | 13-3-2 | Solid and steady, one of the best in Lake County |