As promised, a bit sooner than I expected to do this ... the first appearance of high school soccer ratings in SportsBlog Nation.

As with basketball, and football in the fall, the ratings are based on strength of team, strength of schedule, individual talent, team talent, quality of victories and teams' history at Far East tournaments.

The last one is a key factor, particularly where Okinawa-based teams are concerned. The numbers speak for themselves -- Kadena and Kubasaki have won all but two boys Class AA tournament titles. And Kadena's and Kubasaki's boys opponents thus far this season have been largely adult teams, and will probably continue to be; thus, don't be surprised by sub.-500 records.

Naturally, my choices may not agree with yours, but face it, that's part of the fun of it. And remember ... you've entered THE "No-Hate Zone." *smile*

Here we go:

Boys
 1. Seoul Foreign (7-0). What a shame the Crusaders can't travel to Far East tournaments, where I'm certain Remco Rademaker (Pacific-leading 27 goals, Pacific-record 149 career goals) and his cohorts would make some serious noise.
 2. Kadena (2-4). Panthers own four Class AA titles. Season series with Kubasaki even at 1-1 with both games decided by 3-2 margins. Got first win over an adult team Sunday at Camp Schwab, beating Communications Company 8-0.
 3. Christian Academy In Japan (0-0). Two-time Class AA and one-time Class A tournament champion Knights get their season started on April 2, with junior Leo Kobayashi trying to add to his school-record 65 goal total.
 4. Kubasaki (1-2). Two-time Class AA Tournament titlists sport plenty of firepower offensively; Dragons will go as far as the defense, bolstered by the addition of Colton Sadler, and new goalkeepers Zach Stalling and Aaron Rudd will take them.
 5. Zama American (4-0). Expect the DODDS-Japan standings to be quite a battle this year; all teams with plenty of new and returning talent across the board. In the Trojans case, Tyler Myers (4 goals) and Daniel Polaski (3) lead the way thus far.
 6. Yongsan International-Seoul (5-1). Don't be surprised at all if this team makes a deep run in the Class A tournament in May at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. David Kim (7 goals) and Andrew Song (6) are speaking volumes right now.
 7. Yokota (2-1). Built for the here and now (Tony Presnell, 6 goals; Jason Stroup, 4) and for the future, with young newcomers Jimmy Niescier (4 goals, 3 assists) and Yuuki Chase in the fold.
 8. Seoul American (5-1-1). So far, the experiment with Matt Nutter at midfield seems to be working, and strikers such as Chris Churchwell (7 goals) and Willie Rios (4) are benefitting. Good start for new coach Robert Victoria.
 9. Nile C. Kinnick (2-1-2). Surprising start, given all the veteran talent that has exited the past couple of seasons. Ivan Rivera (6 assists) has become quite the playmaker.
10. Seoul International (3-1-1). Another team off to a surprise beginning, thanks to the scoring touch of Jason Park (6 goals).

Girls
 1. Seoul American (7-0). Might this finally be the year that somebody pries the Class AA title loose from Okinawa? The Falcons certainly have the goods on paper, with striker Erica Anglade (57 career goals) and new addition Sarah Eades, who transferred from defending Class A champion Daegu American.
 2. Kadena (4-1). Gone are Jen and Dianne Abel with their combined 370 career goals? The five-time Class AA champion Panthers haven't batted one eye, not with converted center-forward Helen Schrock (5 goals, 4 assists), center-midfielder Cassie McDonald (4, 4) and speedy newcomer Brittney Wise (4 goals). As Seoul American boys basketball coach Steve Boyd says, "Tradition never graduates."
 3. Kubasaki (3-1). As with the boys, the Panthers' and Dragons' season series is dead even at 1-1, with both matches decided by 3-2 margins. And like Kadena, a Kara Koeneke (48 goals in two seasons) leaves; a Bridget Ramirez (7 goals) steps in to take her place for the three-time Class AA champions.
 4. American School In Japan (1-0). This may be the strongest Mustangs team since the 1998 squad that many observers expected to win the first Class AA title. But it may be now or never for ASIJ, which features mostly upperclassmen.
 5. Zama American (3-1). Nice combination of veteran stars and incoming talent; sophomore Aubrey Ashliman (50 goals last year, 5 this year) is joined by her freshman sister Mallarie (5 goals, 5 assists) and returning midfielder Whitney McWherter. Only loss, 2-0 at ASIJ.
 6. Yokota (4-1). Speaking of youngsters, sophomores Courtney Richards (15 goals, 4 assists) and Julia Martel (9 goals, 5 assists) fit in very nicely for departed strikers Breyana Anderson and Daniya Nixon. And they complement midfielder Lauryn Thomas (20 goals, 24 assists in two seasons) very well.
 7. Osan American (8-1-2). This may be coach Sung Plourde's best outfit since the one that won the 2002-03 Class A titles, thanks to the scoring touch of senior Gina Bosworth (Pacific-leading 16 goals) and freshman newcomer Jasmine Pressley (12 goals).
 8. Matthew C. Perry (4-1-1). After that heartbreaking 2-1 "golden goal" loss in the Class A final last year to Daegu American, the Samurai are on a mission. Karla Stroud (5 goals) has shined in her transition from stopper; sophomore midfielder Heather Hyson and goalkeeper Kate "Berlin" Cutshall are the inspirational leaders.
 9. Nile C. Kinnick (3-0-1). Another team that took serious graduations and transfer hits seems to have found its footing, thanks to the scoring touch of Brittany Evans, younger sister of former Far East cross country champion Matt Evans.
10. Taejon Christian International (3-1-2). Another team that doesn't attend Far East tournaments, but would make a ton of noise behind the goal-scoring prowess of Nina Aaltonen (38 career goals) and Liz Kim (18).