By Mike Woitalla The U.S. U-19 men’s national team, after having upset host Spain, was eliminated from the Sub-20 l’Acudia COTIF tournament with a 3-1 loss to Bahrain in a gamethat ended with a brawl. Coach Brad Friedel’s team entered its final Group A game, after opening with a 2-0 loss to Venezuela and 1-0 […]
Youth Soccer Insider
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Cal South clubs claim four US Youth Soccer national titles
By Mike Woitalla South California clubs won a pair of US Youth Soccer national titles last weekend in both boys and girls competitions, including FC Golden State’s liftingof the McGuire Cup, the U-19 boys competition that is the nation’s oldest youth trophy, dating back to 1935. At national championships in Frisco, Texas, FC Golden State, […]
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USA beats Spain at U-20 tournament in Valencia
By Mike Woitalla The U.S. U-19 men’s national team upset host Spain, 1-0, at the Sub-20 l’Acudia COTIF tournament thanks to a free-kick goal by Brandon Vazquez, aSouthern Californian product who joined Tijuana Xolos’ youth program before playing for the USA at the 2015 U-17 World Cup. Coach Brad Friedel’s team, which facesBahrain on Monday, […]
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Refs: Use your head and wear a cap
By Randy Vogt I schedule a full check-up with my dermatologist every six months. When I was there last, this past May, she said to me, “I saw one of my patients with allthis sun damage to his face. He’s a soccer referee like you. I asked him why he does not wear a cap […]
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Taking the ice bath plunge for muscle soreness — helpful or not?
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D. I’ve noticed for a long time now that adult endurance athletes will often jump into an ice bath after a race or particularly strenuous training session.This practice is common in the triathlon and endurance running community. Like many things touted by elite adult athletes, the youth sports community seems to […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Development Academy award winners in good company
By Mike Woitalla In the wake of the 2015-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, which concluded last weekend with FC Dallas winning both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 national titles, U.S. Soccer has announcedthe DA year-end awards. Among the players honored: FC Dallas midfielder Weston McKennie, who left his team after the U-17/18 quarterfinals to go […]
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Most of 2015 U-17 alums already with pro clubs
By Mike Woitalla and Paul Kennedy The USA may have disappointed at the 2015 U-17 World Cup last October when Coach Richie Williams’ U.S. team was the first since2001 to exit in the first round, and a 5-1 loss host Chile marked its worst loss at the U-17 World Cup in group play since falling, […]
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Think food first: Refueling after training or games
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D. Here’s another of those subjects that seems to make some people emotional — why is it important for young athletes to refuel after exercise, when shouldthis happen, and what drink/food is best? The sports supplement industry has a massive foothold in this area, and for sure there are some great […]
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FC Dallas makes Development Academy history, but focus remains on long-term
By Mike Woitalla FC Dallas won 2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy titles at the U-15/16 and U-17/18 divisions, becoming the first club to win both age groups in the sameyear. The Dallas U-15/16s, coached by Luchi Gonzalez, beat the Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-0, to repeat at that age group. The U-17/18s, coached by FranciscoMolina, came […]
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FC Dallas reaches both Development Academy finals
By Mike Woitalla FC Dallas, which leads MLS clubs in Homegrown signings, continues to impress at the youth level. Both FC Dallas’ U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams have reached the2016 U.S. Soccer Development Academy finals, which take place on Saturday in Carson, California. In the U-15/16 semifinal, FC Dallas defeated the Chicago Fire, 1-0, and will […]