By Mike Woitalla Last year, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced a ban on heading for players age 10 and younger. Last week, the U.S. Soccer Referee program sent out a memo on howthe rule should be implemented: “When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded […]
youth soccer
Posted inAround the Net In Youth Soccer, Story
Synthetic turf safety study launched by federal government
The Obama administration has announced a multi-agency federal study to look into the safety of recycled tire material used on synthetic turf fields. “We know people are concerned about artificialturf fields, and players and their families want answers,” said EPA spokeswoman Laura Allen. “Limited studies have not shown an elevated health risk from playing onfields […]
Posted inStory
License-mania — aggrandizing the coach in a player's game
By Mike Woitalla It’s not easy to become a USSF-licensed elite soccer coach: “You must pass six licenses. … The failure rate is high — I haven’t had time to check this data but it’s often well above 30 percent of license-seekers who are told, ‘No. Come back again when you’re ready.’ It’s difficult to […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Dutchman completes U.S. Soccer's slate of coaches on boys side
By Mike Woitalla U.S. Soccer has appointed Dave van den Bergh, who came to the USA from his native Netherlands in 2006 to play in MLS, head coach of the U.S. U-15boys national team. The hiring completes the slate of U.S. national team program head coaches on the boys side. U.S. youth national team coaches(men) […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Youth soccer factions united in frustration with U.S. Soccer Federation
By Mike Woitalla The USA has so many organizations involved in youth soccer the term “turf war” often comes up. However, last December representatives from U.S. YouthSoccer, U.S. Club Soccer, AYSO, Say Soccer, the USSSA, MLS and U.S. Futsal (USFF) met to discuss the U.S. Soccer Federation’s player development initiatives. These organizations, often atodds with […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Girls vs. Boys: U.S. Soccer's Development Academy dilemma
By Mike Woitalla Generalizing about genders is a precarious venture, especially when one side is making assumptions about the other. But I’ll go out on a limb: Girlscare more about playing high school soccer than boys do. I bring this up because the U.S. Soccer Federation is set to take over the top level of […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
France routs USA at U-19 tourney
By Mike Woitalla After opening the Copa del Atlantico tournament in the Canary Islands with a 1-0 loss to Spain, the U.S. U-19 men’s national team (1998s) fell, 5-0, toFrance. The tournament is the first for the U.S. U-19s (1998-born) with Coach Brad Friedel at the helm. Ten of the 23 members of the roster […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Fullerton Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald
“We told them in no uncertain terms that we want to protect our kids and we want to make sure the (club) is being run in such a way that it is functioning in good faith as they agreed to.” –Fullerton, California, Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald, who has two children who play for the Fullerton Rangers, […]
Posted inAround the Net In Youth Soccer, Story
Embezzlement arrest: Former Fullerton Rangers treasurer accused of stealing $174,000
Laura Zellerbach, 41, a treasurer for the Fullerton Rangers Soccer League from 2012 to 2014, was arrested on suspicion of stealing more than $174,000 from the nonprofit. The LongBeach resident is accused of money laundering, forgery of records, grand theft, misappropriation of property, and embezzlement, Sgt. Kathryn Hamel said. The Orange CountyRegister’s Scott Reid and […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
U.S. Soccer Development Academy adds 56 clubs for U-12 division
By Mike Woitalla Fifty-six clubs will join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy at the U-12 level, which the DA will launch for the 2016-17 season. They join 78 existing Academymembers that field teams for U-12 competition for a total of 134 clubs. The expansion is intended to reduce travel distances between clubs at the youngest […]