For the second time in three years, the Columbus Crew Juniors won the McGuire Cup -- U.S. Youth Soccer's U-19 national championship -- coached by former U.S. World Cup player Brian Bliss, the MLS club's Technical Director. Bliss, 46, also serves as assistant coach of the U.S. U-20 national team to Tab Ramos, with whom Bliss played alongside on at the 1998 Olympics and 1990 World Cup. We spoke with Bliss about key issues in American youth soccer, including the U.S. Soccer Development Academy's ban on high school ball.

Artificial turf can be a wonderful solution for soccer fields, particularly in urban areas, that are overused. Through the advent of FieldTurf over a decade ago, overused fields have been transformed from dustbowls to artificial turf. In New York City, the best example of this is the historic Metropolitan Oval, which now sees a daily regimen of soccer.

How many times have you thought or heard this comment, "Nobody wants to volunteer for the club anymore" ... "I don't have anyone to ref the games" ... "Who is going to put the nets on the goals for opening day?"

Two weeks after Spain routed Italy, 4-0, to win Euro 2012 - following up on its 2010 World Cup and 2008 Euro titles - came a sign that Spanish dominance could have a long future.

In a previous Youth Soccer Insider we discussed recognizing signs of heat illness. Now we will discuss an even more important strategy -- preventing dehydration and possible heat illness through a good hydration strategy.

I am often asked this time of year about some strategies for coaches and parents to recognize heat illness, and for some strategies to manage the young athlete. With that in mind let's review some basic principles.

Kristine Lilly, the world record holder for national team appearances with 352, debuted for the USA at age 16 in 1987 and retired in 2010 at age 39. In Part 2 of our interview with the veteran of five World Cups and three Olympic Games, Lilly offers advice for young players and reflects on her youth sports and national team experience.

Kristine Lilly, the world record holder for national team appearances with 352, debuted for the USA at age 16 in 1987 and retired in 2010 at age 39. We checked in with the veteran of five World Cups and three Olympic Games for her insights on American youth soccer, past and present.