Soccer America released its Top 40 Youth Clubs today and several Cal South clubs that include Ventura County players made the list.

On the girls' side, Eagles SC, based in Camarillo, is ranked No. 19 and Real So Cal, based in Calabasas, is No. 33. The So Cal Blues and Slammers FC are ranked No. 3 and 4, respectively. San Diego Surf is ranked No. 6. The other So Cal clubs are: San Juan SC (14) and Arsenal SC (25). The Dallas Texans from North Texas were ranked No. 1 overall.

On the boys' side, Real So Cal is ranked No. 18. LAFC Chelsea is ranked No. 6 and Arsenal FC is No. 8. The other Cal South clubs are: West Coast FC (19) and CZ Elite FC (38). The Baltimore Boys out of Maryland were ranked No. 1 overall.

The rankings are based on success of the club's teams in national youth competitions over the last three years and national recognition for players from these clubs in 2009. The most important criteria, according to the publication, was the success in the US Youth Soccer National Championships from 2007-09 and the number of players who went on to U.S. Soccer National Teams and were selected to US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program all-star rosters.