Category: Story

Big winners on the first day of play in the under-19 boys divisions included Minnesota boarding school Shattuck St. Mary’s and Miami Strike Force Cagliari, a winner in last fall’s qualifying tournament, in the Showcase division. For all the results and schedules in the Showcase, Predator and Copa divisions …

There’s no offseason for MLS’s youth teams and affiliated youth teams. The Chicago Fire Juniors Reds, Kansas City Wizards Juniors, Mississippi Fire Juniors and RSL Florida joined D.C. United in sending teams to Disney’s Soccer Showcase.

Last year, English club Chelsea finished second in the U-16 Showcase boys division at the Disney’s Soccer Showcase. This year, the Blues have their sights set on the title in the U-17 Showcase, arguably the most competitive division, and they got off to a strong start Saturday afternoon when they beat D.C. United‘s academy team, 4-2.

Region III opened play at the U.S. Youth Soccer Boys ODP Inter-Regional with 4-0 wins in the 1992 and 1993 age groups. For all the Day 1 results …

Day 1 Wrapup/by Paul Kennedy
The YOUTH SOCCER REPORTER begins daily coverage of the Disney’s Soccer Showcase presented by Chelsea Football Club.

The 2008 NSCAA/adidas Youth All-Americans include five boys honorees who have made verbal commitments to attend Akron. On the girls side, four players have made verbal commitments to play for national champion North Carolina. For all the boys and girls selections and their college plans …

Phoenix New Times reporter John Dickerson provides a long expose on the state of youth soccer in Arizona. The warm weather provides year-round opportunities for youth soccer, and the state’s recent growth has fueled a cottage industry that feeds off the youth soccer boom. At the heart of the problem are over-the-top coaches and an obsession with college scholarships, particularly on the girls side. For Dickerson’s report and what organizers, parents, coaches and players have to say …

Mike Matkovic, recently hired as U.S. under-18 men’s national team coach, will hold a 72-player mega-camp beginning Sunday at The Home Depot Center. The players were all born 1991, making them eligible for the 2009 and 2011 Under-20 World Cups. They range rang from high school sophomores to college freshmen, including Zac MacMath, the starting goalie for NCAA Division I champion Maryland. Two foreign-based players — Patrick Otte of English club Middlesbrough’s youth academy and Andrew Lubahn of Belgian club Club Brugge — were also invited. For the complete roster …

The annual Disney’s Soccer Showcase kicks off Saturday at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., with boys action in four age groups as well as the U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Super Group featuring regional teams in the 1992 and 1993 age groups.

The Youth Soccer Reporter will be providing daily coverage of the Disney’s Soccer Showcase presented by Chelsea Football Club, beginning with coverage of boys play on Dec. 28 and continuing through to Jan. 4 with coverage of the girls competition.

Those players and fans attending the 2008 Disney’s Soccer Showcase should connect by joining the “I’m spending the holidays at Disney’s Soccer Showcase” on Facebook.