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.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
LAFC sends two teams to inaugural Finals Week
[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 …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
2008 adidas ESP boys all-star teams named
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 …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
What does Chelsea want from U.S. youth soccer?
[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. …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. U-18 women perfect in Europe
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.
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
In MLS’s Thursday night game, Los Angeles hosts Chivas USA in a battle for first place in the Western Conference. MLS clubs face Mexican foes when Superliga 2008 kicks off on Saturday. The U.S. women host Brazil in an Olympic tune-up on Sunday.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Leroux leaves baseball — and Canada — behind
[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.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. Soccer Development Academy finals to be televised
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 …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Four defending champs head USYS National Championships field
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 …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Welcome to Soccer America’s Youth Soccer Reporter
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.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Calling all bloggers …
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.
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth View
Banning league play?
The English FA is banning “competitive” soccer leagues for under-8s. Children will still be playing games, but results and league standings won’t be compiled. U.S. Soccer also recommends “no organized matches where the score is recorded” at that age level. Let us know what approach your youth league takes and whether you believe eliminating scores and standings produces better players. …
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“As a 12-year-old, he is as good as anybody else around the world.”
— Marcio Leite, coach of the Dallas Texans Red, on 12-year-old Emerson Hyndman, grandson of FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman, whose soccer talents have attracted the attention of English Premier League clubs. (Click here for video of Emerson Hyndman’s juggling drills.)
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
UEFA Cup Up For Rebranding
In the past 15 years, little has been safe from the rebranding zeal of soccer’s purported modernizers. Europe’s soccer governing body has now tabled a proposal to re-christen its UEFA Cup competition as the UEFA Europa League. “The hope is that a refreshment of the name and brand can help achieve better results than […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Soccer-Mad Morales
Benjie Goodhart profiles the soccer chops of Bolivia’s President Evo Morales.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Thaksin Goes On Trial In Thailand
Manchester City’s owner and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is on trial in his native land on corruption charges related to a Bangkok real estate deal.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Osorio Treading Water At Dire New York
Kristian Dyer looks at the sorry state of the New York Red Bulls, and how Coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s roster decisions have led them down the Eastern Conference.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
From Palace To Fulham Via Facebook
A player at second-tier English team Crystal Palace revealed to the world that he was planning to leave the club for the Premier League’s Fulham by announcing the news on his Facebook page. Ashley-Paul Robinson, 19, posted a message on the social networking site that could be read by 2.7 million members to say […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Wolff Says He ‘Struggled’ In Germany
Earlier this week we learned that Pablo Mastroeni, aged 31, is ready to try his luck in Europe. Josh Wolff is the same age and is already on his way back, returning to the Kansas City Wizards after two years at German second division club 1860 Munich. “There was nothing for me in Germany,” […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Olsen Undergoes More Ankle Surgery
Just over a week after his return was hailed by the home crowd at RFK Stadium, D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen underwent further surgery on his left ankle Monday, reports Paul Tenorio. According to team spokesman Doug Hicks, the surgery was “to try to help the healing process. This is not expected to end his […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Is Asia Tiring Of Exploitative Club Tours?
At the end of last season, German champion Bayern Munich played an exhibition game in India against Mohun Bagan in front of 125,000 fans, pocketing around $3 million for its troubles. But that money, which was put up by a private Indian company, could surely have been better invested to the benefit of Indian soccer, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Newcastle denies Bin Laden family’s offer
[OFF THE POST] Newcastle United has denied reports that the Saudi Binladen Group (SBG), a multinational construction conglomerate whose chief executive is Osama Bin Laden‘s half-brother Bakr Bin Laden, has made a $600 million bid for the English Premier League team.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Kewell move to Turkey angers Leeds fans
[TRANSFER TALK] Australian national team captain Harry Kewell has completed a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray, signing a two-year deal with the Istanbul club.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I would die fighting for people’s rights, but if I don’t get that chance, I would like to die playing soccer.”
— Bolivia President Evo Morales, who has seen action for second division club Litoral this season and credits his soccer background – he founded a team at age 13 and was its captain and coach – for his leadership skills. (Guardian)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Osorio makes moves to revive Red Bulls
From the first day he took the job Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio has been fixated on rebuilding and renovating the MLS team that has promised the most and delivered the least. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney explains why the next few months will reveal if Osorio can truly transform a team.