In soccer terms, Bethesda is No. 1.

This Montgomery County city is sending four teams with its name to the regional tournament - the Dragons, Fury, Scorpions and Broncos. In fact, all Maryland age group winners between U12 and U16 are Montgomery County based. Maryland will be looking for a stronger showing this year after not producing a single regional champ in 1996. The Fury, MSI Falcons and Scorpions all reached the final, only to come up a goal short in each occasion.

Here's a look at each Maryland team heading to the regional tournament:

U20: SAC United & Chesapeake Bay Spirit
Only three teams entered the U20 state tournament, and two were assured regional tournament berths. After the round-robin event was completed, SAC United, a hastily formed team, had won the right to be called state champions. Chesapeake Bay Spirit, a merger of the former Chesapeake Bay Thunder, SAC Spirit and Potomac Pros, won the tiebreaker and moves on as the wild card. SAC United defeated the Spirit, 2-1, in the round robin competition.

U19:
Maryland will not have an entry in this year's U19 tournament. Incoming MSYSA president Tim Miller said he asked if one of the three U20 teams would consider playing at U19, but all three declined - knowing that two of the three would advance to the U20 regional tournament.

U18: CSC Phoenix
The Phoenix expects to keep ticking, although the Energizers are not.

Led by prep All-America Samantha Meyers and All-State Shanna Ziegenfuss, the Phoenix now have a shot in a group often dominated by Virginia.

U17: SAC Magic
wo starters - Jen Loofbourrow and Tina Fedarchek - are out with ACL injuries, depleting the Magic's lineup.

However, coach Armando Gutierrez expects a solid showing.

It will be the team's third regional appearance, but first since 1995 when they advanced as a wild card. The Magic will be counting on the play of Katie Moore and Marissa Schuchat to carry the offense.

U16: Beth. Broncos
The Broncos are the oldest of the Bethesda state champions, and certainly one of the best bets for a regional title.

The Broncos won the WAGS U16 Premier Division and took the state cup final in convincing fashion, 5-0. Bethesda lost its first match at last year's regional tournament, a 2-1 decision to Beadling (W-Pa.), and it cost the team a spot in the regional semifinals. The Broncos followed the loss with 9-1 and 3-0 victories, but by then their fate was sealed.

The team features many of the top rising junior and senior high school players in Maryland, including Richard Montgomery's Amy Cooper and Wilde Lake's Leilani Ho.

U15: Beth. Scorpions
With the transfer of keeper Lindsay Haywood, Bethesda has made strides in solidifying its already proven defense.

The Scorpions, five-time Maryland champions, lost in the regional final last year, 1-0. They went 4-1 in regional play with four matches decided by one goal.

U14: MSI Falcons
Two years ago, the Falcons became the first MSI-sanctioned girls team to reach the regional tournament.

Now they're back for a third straight year with an eye on the top prize after a pair of second-place finishes.

The Falcons, five-time Maryland champions, lost in last year's final to a Connecticut team. This year's squad packs a little more offensive punch, highlighted by Audra Poulin, who scored three goals in the state final victory over Shakedowns Elite.

U13: Bethesda Fury
The Fury continues to dominate the Maryland scene, now coach Brad Roos is hoping it can net that missing goal in the regionals.

Last year's Fury squad lost in a shootout in the U12 regional title match.

Bethesda, the four-time reigning Maryland champions, should be among the regional favorites this year. In last year's regional tournament, they outscored their opponents 11-1. This year, they won the WAGS Division 1 with a perfect record.

U12: Bethesda Dragons
The Dragons, state cup winners two years ago, will be making their first regional tournament appearance.

Maryland teams have fared well at the regional tournament in the younger age groups.

The Dragons will count on the continued offense of striker Julie Napolitano, who scored both goals in the team's state cup final victory.