By Paul Gardner FIFA’s Under-17 World Cup — for me, the liveliest and the most enjoyable of all the global tournaments — has, since its first edition in China in 1985,always been played under a heavy cloud of suspicion. I covered 10 of the first 11 tournaments, and learned very quickly that there were always […]
youth soccer
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
U.S. U-20s down New York Cosmos and Red Bulls II
By Mike Woitalla The U.S. U-20 men’s national team, during a 10-day training camp in New Jersey, beat the NASL’s New York Cosmos, 2-0, and the USL’s New York Red Bulls II,4-3. Against the Red Bulls, Coach Tab Ramos‘ team overcame an early two-goal deficit after Anatole Abang scored in the 10th minute and DanMetzger […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. Youth Soccer 2016 National Champions Best XI teams
U.S. Youth Soccer has announced Best XI teams from the U-13 through U-19 National Championships for boys and girls that took place last week in Frisco, Texas. The Best XI recognizes the top 11performers in each age group regardless of their position throughout the tournament as voted by coaches of the participating teams in that […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Awards: U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships — MVPs and top keepers
US Youth Soccer has announced Golden Ball and Golden Glove winners from its 2016 National Championships, which took place last week in Frisco, Texas. Two clubs,So Cal Blues and Virginia’s Loudoun Red, had two players win Golden Ball MVP awards. So Cal Blues were also represented in the Golden Glove category. Past winners of the […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Q&A: U.S. U-20 coach Michelle French on country vs. college conflict
By Mike Woitalla Thirteen players on the USA’s 18-woman squad at the Olympic Games in Rio played in a U-20 Women’s World Cup, as did 15 members of the USA’s 2015Women’s World Cup-winning team. We spoke with U.S. U-20 coach Michelle French, who is also serving as an assistant to Jill Ellis in Brazil, about […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Bahrain eliminates U.S. U-19 men in game marred by brawl
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 […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
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, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: U.S. Youth Soccer
“After meeting with both teams, the Committee found the teams were disrespectful to the game, the competition and U.S. Youth Soccer.” — A statement from U.S. Youth Soccer after its National Championship Series (NCS)Committee’s investigation into alleged collusion between U-18 girls teams Carlsbad Elite (California) and Ambassadors FC (Ohio) in a 0-0 tie. The investigation […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U-18 teams accused of collusion called 'disrespectful' by U.S. Youth Soccer
After accusations that two girls U-18 teams colluded for a 0-0 result that would suit them both at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Frisco, Texas, U.S. Youth Soccer released a statement in which it deemed Carlsbad Elite of Southern Californiaand Ohio’s Ambassadors FC “disrespectful,” cleared the teams of collusion, but fined both teams. […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
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 […]