"My only point is that it is meaningless to make reference to CASL U-16's being the team that beat Chelsea and won the Disney Showcase when discussing an Academy game against a team that is, I believe, primarily U-17".
I thought that the Academy teams for USSF were made up of 1991's. If this is correct then the CASL team must be in the same birthyear which would mean their team also has 17's. Is there anywhere on the USSF website where you can find rosters to compare ages?