[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