One of the biggest challenges in U.S. player development is providing a highly competitive, professional environment for players who have graduated from the youth game but aren't ripe for first-team MLS action.

It's that time of year when men and women across the country embark on the wonderful adventure of youth soccer coaching.

Matt Pilkington was recently named U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Coach of the Year for the East region after his Bethesda-Olney team finished runner-up to PDA at the USSDA national finals -- its first season in the national league -- and was honored with the "Style of Play" award for the East.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the USA hosting the 1994 World Cup, after which the U.S. Soccer Foundation was created to distribute profits from the tournament to further the growth of the sport in this country. The Foundation has since awarded more than $59 million into soccer organizations and field-building initiatives nationwide.

Crew Soccer Academy Wolves coach Lars Richters was named U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-15/16 Coach of the Year for the Central region.

No college coach asks, "Did you win a State Cup at U-9?" says Shannon MacMillan, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist and 1999 World Cup champion who is the Director of Club Operations of San Diego's Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks.