By Mike Woitalla
Perhaps the most crucial information from recent science on concussions is how dangerous another concussion is if suffered shortly following the first.
Inother words, it’s vitally important that a player with a possible concussion is removed from play.
U.S. Soccer, as part of its player health and safety program, has produced thefour-minute “Recognize to Recover (R2R) presented by Thorne” concussionawareness video — a must-see for coaches and parents of soccer players.
“The video’s purpose, and our goal, is that all players that play the gameof soccer — from the youth levels to our national teams, our pro leagues, the NCAA, high school associations, and every player that touches the game, as well as coaches, referees and parents — watchthis video so that the lessons explained will become a part of the soccer culture in the United States,” says U.S. Soccer Chief Medical OfficerGeorge Chiampas.
The video’s narrator explains:
“When a player experiences a blow to the head, face or body, immediately check for signs of confusion andunsteadiness. Ask the player if they’re experiencing headache, dizziness or nausea. These might be difficult to see, so take your time. See if they know the score of the game, what happened onthe last play, or even the day of the week. … Not every sign is immediately visible.”
The video, which also features former MLS star Taylor Twellman, explainswhat other signs and behavior to look for.
It’s not just the danger of a repeat concussion that underscores the importance ofremoval from play. There is evidence that athletes who immediately report concussions face significantly shorter recovery time.
“Immediate reporting of concussion symptoms (which requireimmediate removal from play) allowed an athlete to safely return to play about five days earlier than athletes who continued to play and did not report their concussion symptoms,” writes Dr.Dev Mishra at SidelineSportsDoc.com, citing a study by the
U.S. U-16 boys beat England, fall to Russia
Ulysses Llanez of the Los Angeles Galaxy academy scored both goals as the U.S. U-16 boys nationalteam opened the Val-de-Marne Tournoi International France with a 2-1 win over England, before falling, 3-0, to Russia.
England took the lead with a penalty kick in the 58th minute. Llanezequalized from the other penalty spot three minutes later and scored the gamewinner in the 75th minute. Coach Shaun Tsakiris’ U.S. team faces host France on Saturday.
USA starters vs. Russia — Defreitas-Hansen; Hilton,Noverr, Sepulveda, Morel; Benalcazar, Palomino, Vassilev; Arriaga, Stojanovic, De la Fuente.
U.S. U-16 boys national team
GOALKEEPERS(2): Michael Collodi (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas), Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen (Weston FC; Southwest Ranches, Fla.).
DEFENDERS (9): Nico Benalcazar (NYCFC; Wilton, Conn.),Eduardo Blancas (Real Salt Lake; Napa, Calif.), Jackson Conway (Atlanta United FC; Marietta, Ga.), Cameron Duke (Sporting KC; Olathe, Kan.), John Hilton (Unattached; Long Beach, Calif.), JulianHinojosa (FC Dallas; Garland, Texas), Ian Hoffmann (Karlsruher SC; Germany), Alexsi Morel (New York City FC; Huntington Station, N.Y.), Leonardo Sepulveda (LA Galaxy; Corona, Calif.).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Luis Arriaga (Real Salt Lake; Santa Rosa, Calif.), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake; Eden, Utah), Azriel Gonzalez (Seattle Sounders FC; Renton, Wash.), Ulysses Llanez (LAGalaxy; Lynwood, Calif.), Marcelo Palomino (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas), Jose Rivas (Weston FC; Weston, Fla.), Indiana Vassilev (IMG Academy; Savannah, Ga.).
FORWARDS (2):Konrad De la Fuente (FC Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain), Stefan Stojanovic (Sockers FC; Des Plaines, Ill.).