By Mike Woitalla U.S. Soccer has been evaluating the clubs that comprise its Development Academy league since its launch in 2007, but it has now made thoseevaluations, in which clubs get rated on a 5-star system, public*. “We feel the only way to continue to improve is to make sure we hold the clubs accountable […]
Youth Soccer Insider
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
U.S. Academy 'closing the gap'; MLS teen debut; Why no keepers at U-8 level
By Mike Woitalla As the U.S. Soccer Development Academy entered its fifth season this month, nearly a third of its 78 clubs moved to a 10-month season, no longer takinga three-month break during which players would commonly play high-school ball, or in the case of Southern California, in the Coast Soccer League. Clubs in three […]
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Claudio Reyna: 'It all ties into style of play'
Interview by Mike Woitalla As U.S. Soccer’s Youth Technical Director, Claudio Reyna believes a key to improving American player development isconvincing more youth clubs to strive for a style of play conducive to nurturing talent. The 78-club U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which kicked off its fifth season this month, is a integral partof the national […]
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Growing pains: Girls face challenge of the 'commotional' years
By Mike Woitalla Age-appropriate coaching has been cited as extremely important in player development. The Youth Soccer Insider begins a series on this topicwith a look at the challenges faced by female players as they transition into their teen years by checking in with Tad Bobak, one of the most experienced and successful girls coachesin […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
For Kids Only …
(With fall soccer starting around the country, the Youth Soccer Insider republishes this article, which first appeared in September 2009.) This column is for the kids.Adults can stop reading now. By Mike Woitalla Dear Soccer-Playing Children of America, The fall season is underway and I’m hoping you’rehaving a great time. I’m hoping that you’re playing […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Why so few women referees?
By Randy Vogt In her Youth Soccer Insider column on Aug. 15, Sarah Weld laments the lack of women coaches and refs in youth soccer. It’s an oddity that I’ve noticed and am concerned about as well. The book I authored,”Preventive Officiating,” is the only soccer referee book that I know of that uses the […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Brad Rothenberg: 'Latino talent critically important to U.S. future'
Interview by Mike Woitalla Since Brad Rothenberg co-founded Alianza de Futbol in 2004, theprogram’s tournaments and tryouts in U.S. Hispanic communities have become a magnet for Mexicans clubs scouting U.S.-bred talent. We spoke to Rothenberg about the integration of Hispanics intomainstream American soccer and the challenges faced by young Latino players in the USA. SOCCER […]
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Mexican clubs cast net over U.S. talent
By Mike Woitalla Jose Nino‘s hopes of attending a four-year college hit a roadblock. The $11,000 from Pell and Cal Grants the 18-year-old is eligiblefor doesn’t cover all the college costs. “My parents have basically no money,” says Nino, who’s worked in a restaurant since age 16. So he’s here atthe Fremont Soccer Complex near […]
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A ref's recollection: Watching history unfold in Moscow
By Randy Vogt In the thousands of games I have officiated, none were more memorable than a series of games exactly 20 years ago in Moscow during August 1991 in theclosing days of the Soviet Union. I was invited to referee a top youth tournament called Liberty Cup Moscow the summer before and had a […]
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Precocious pros; Lack-of-height advantage(?); Reyna on 'players first'
By Mike Woitalla A player who still needs a ride to practice from his parents scored his first Major League Soccer goal earlier this month. DiegoFagundez, who turned at 16 last Valentine’s Day, made his MLS debut as a 66th minute sub and scored 20 minutes later against Chivas USA. Born in Uruguay, Fagundez moved […]