In the semifinals, Spain posted a 2-0 win over Italy, which beat the USA in its opening group-stage game, and North Korea prevailed, 3-0, over Colombia. Italy had not won a U-20 World Cup game before qualifying for this year’s competition in Poland. For highlights of the semifinals …
youth
Bob Barry (1940-2026): ‘The Cat’ who built Hawaii soccer’s bridge to the mainland
I knew at the time that we were lucky to have Bob Barry as a high school soccer coach. Just how incredibly fortunate we actually were — that appreciation grew over years and decades since we played for Iolani in Honolulu in 1979-1982. Barry was also the French teacher at Iolani. At lunchtime, we’d hang […]
U.S. U-20 coach Gonzalo Segares on a remarkable generation of American talent
Last month, U.S. U-20 head coach Gonzalo Segares led the USA to a second-place finish at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. The 2026 MLS season has seen a wave of young American players break through with impressive performances across the league. This was reflected earlier this week when U.S. national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino named […]
SA’s Mike Woitalla on Soccer Media Podcast
Soccer America editor-in-chief Mike Woitalla joined host John Shrader to discuss the evolution our 55-year-old publication, the rehiring of Mauricio Pochettino, U.S. Soccer tackling pay-to-pay, and American TV broadcasters vs. Spanish-language.
Roster: U.S. U-17 men include four Germany-based players
U.S. under-17 national team coach Jeremy Hall called in 22 players for a camp Sept. 21-Oct. 4 in San Pedro Del Pinatar, Spain. The team (players born in 2010) begin preparations ahead of 2027 Concacaf World Cup qualifiers for the annual U-17 World Cup.
U.S. youth prospects progress in Europe; several play superbly in MLS
The latest round of club action provided more encouraging signs from the USA’s top young talent. Zavier Gozo, Cavan Sullivan and Justin Ellis are among the players making their mark as the USA looks ahead to the 2027 U-20 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games. And if their progress continues, some may be knocking on the senior […]
U.S. SOCCER: Don Garber to chair the Soccer Forward project
Don Garber, MLS’s outgoing commissioner, has been appointed the Chair of Soccer Forward, U.S. Soccer’s quest for soccer to be the No. 1-played sport across American communities.
Soccer Forward’s components include “Soccer at Schools,” an effort offer the sport for all students in the USA, expanding accessible places to play, and the 2026 and 2031 World Cup Legacy Initiatives.
USYNT ROSTERS: Coaches Ross Brady and Mutanda Kwesele lead U-16 and U-15 boys camps
The U.S. U-16 and U-15 boys national teams will hold concurrent 24-player training camps Sept. 10-17 at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. Ross Brady, who coached the U-15s earlier this year, takes charge of the 2011-born U-16s, while interim coach Mutanda Kwesele leads the 2012-born U-15s. LAFC has a U-16-high three players in camp, while the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC lead the U-15 contingent with three apiece.
UNDER-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: USA ties Japan after leading twice
The USA, which opened with a 2-1 loss to Italy, kept alive its hopes of reaching the U-20 Women’s World Cup knockout stage with a 2-2 tie against Japan. The USA enters its final Group D against New Zealand on Saturday in third place in Group D.
SA Archives (2007): U.S. Soccer’s previous move into the youth game
Last week, we reported on U.S. Soccer absorbing the 2.7 million-player USYS. Nineteen years ago, we reported on U.S. Soccer launching the Boys Development Academy Department after its Technical Committee, set up by then-Federation president Sunil Gulati, determined a “Need to eliminate clutter in the environment …” for players ages 13-17 and a “Need more free play, less structure … ” at ages 6-12. To read the 2007 article …
