"Without a pro team in Arizona, youth teams are missing something, a relationship that helps them unite. Without that there's an unhealthy competition fostered among clubs, partly because of the lack of a pro team. Kids then become second. There's an unhealthy competition over the kids and there's a small pool of talent compared to California. On the boys side, there are no opportunities college-wise in Arizona other than Grand Canyon. More youth clubs need to come to together. A good, solid and positive philosophy needs to prevail and we all need to buy into that."

-- Former U.S. international Gregg Vanney, who has retired from the Los Angeles to return to his native Arizona, where he will serve as director of coaching of the Sereno Soccer Club. (Arizona Republic)