Monthly Archives: July 2008

The Florida Youth Soccer Association is moving to the town of Auburndale in Polk County, where a 250-acre sports park will have eight soccer fields, training facilities and headquarters for the FYSA.

The U.S. under-17 boys national team celebrated July 4 with a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on the first game of its two-week South American tour.

[CLUB PROFILE] The first U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week kicks of this weekend at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Hometown LAFC is one of only two teams (along with CASL) to sweep conference titles in the U-17/18 and U-15/16 divisions. For more on LAFC, including video of its former MLS standouts talking about the club’s philosophy …

Thirty-six boys were named to Team Predator and Team adiPure for Monday’s All-Star game at the 2008 adidas Elite Soccer Program, which took place at  Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. The adidas esp program, started in 1997, is considered the most recognizable development program in American soccer, attracting dozens of scouts to watch the 102 players. For all the All-Star participants …

[INTERVIEW] From Crystal Palace to Liverpool, West Ham to Everton, British clubs have been entering the American youth soccer “market.” As part of Chelsea’s quest to “build a network of top youth clubs across America to develop Chelsea Soccer Schools,” it has launched a relationship with the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) of North Carolina. Soccer America’s Mike Woitalla interviewed Paul Clement, Chelsea’s youth team manager, about the club’s motives. …

The U.S. under-18 girls national team defeated Denmark’s U-19 team, 5-0 and 3-0, and England’s U-19 team, 2-1, to sweep all three games on its short European tour.

[RISING STAR] Before she made a name for herself in soccer, she excelled at baseball. Before she played for the USA, she traveled with Canada to a world championship. Since entering the U.S. club circuit, she has played for clubs in the state of Washington and Arizona. At the age of 18, Sydney Leroux has already had a full sports experience and it should only get more eventful.

All eight placement games during the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Finals Week at The Home Depot Center will be televised. ESPN2 will broadcast the championship game in the U-17/18 age group on July 18, while ESPNU will show the other seven games on July 18-19. Group play takes place July 12-16. For the complete Final Weeks schedule …

Four defending national champions head the field for the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-27 in Little Rock, Ark. Andromeda (U-18) and the Casa Mia Bays (U-15) defend their boys titles, while the Bloomfield Force (U-19) and So Cal Blues (U-16) look to repeat on the girls side. For all the finalists and complete schedules …

Welcome to the first edition of the Youth Soccer Reporter, Soccer America’s newest e-newsletter covering competitive youth soccer each week. The Youth Soccer Reporter will provide news and analysis and include features on rising stars, profiles of top clubs and interviews with key figures on the American youth scene. It’s a busy summer with the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Finals Week in July, so follow all the action with Soccer America’s Youth Soccer Reporter.

Have you enjoyed a unique soccer experience recently? Do you have something to say to your fellow players, coaches or parents? Would you like to contribute to the Youth Soccer Reporter‘s Youth View. If you’re interested email Soccer America with your name, your idea and contact information.