Beware Of Youth Soccer Orthodoxy
by Paul Gardner (Commentary | Soccer America - May 26)
I get a lot of enjoyment out of looking at the Cal South Magazine -- it tells me quite a lot about the youth situation in one of our most important regions, and anyway, there are plenty of photos of smiling kids, and that’s always fun. more details | go to article

High School Soccer Still Gets Short Shrift
by Mike Woitalla (Commentary | Soccer America - May 26)
Long gone are the days when soccer in the USA existed on the fringes. Its massive popularity among the nation’s youth, among other factors, moved it deep into the American mainstream. So it's easy to forget there are still battles to be won. more details | go to article

The Future In The U.S. Plays It Footloose
by Rob Hughes (Commentary | New York Times - May 26)
Saturday morning at Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. Children of all ages and backgrounds are at play on scores of soccer fields. Their diversity and their joy with a ball is as evident here as it is likely to be missing when the U.S. squad takes the field against England at the World Cup two weeks from now. more details | go to article

Reyna Outlines Plans For US Youth Football
by Associated Press (Profile/Interview | Yahoo - May 25)
U.S. Soccer youth technical director Claudio Reyna has outlined a national curriculum for developing players through all levels of American football. more details | go to article

Englewood Native Alejandro Bedoya Hoping To Earn Spot On U.S. World Cup Roster
by Michael J. Fensom (Profile/Interview | Star Ledger - May 23)
Even Alejandro Bedoya will admit he had, to borrow his words, “come out of nowhere” to earn an invitation to the United States men’s soccer World Cup training camp. more details | go to article

Clarence Goodson's Journey From Springfield Could Culminate At World Cup
by Steven Goff (Profile/Interview | Washington Post - May 21)
Clarence Goodson's soccer education began in Fairfax County's schoolyards and parks and flourished in the Braddock Road Youth Club. Mom operated the video camera and dad kept statistics. His big sister attended matches when she didn't have a swim meet. more details | go to article

U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna To Preview Core Elements Of U.S. Soccer National Curriculum
by No Author Listed (Article | USSF - May 21)
U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna will conduct a presentation at the U.S. Soccer Coaching Symposium in conjunction with the U.S. Men's National Team Send-Off Series Match against Czech Republic on May 25, 2010. Reyna's hour-long presentation will preview the Core Elements of U.S. Soccer National Curriculum at 4:30 p.m. ET in East Hartford. more details | go to article

10 Ways To Manage High School vs. Club Conflicts
by Chris Hummer (Commentary | Soccer America - May 20)
Whether you're a coach or a parent, below are 10 things to think about (because everyone loves lists) when it comes to handling the high school vs. club conflict. These are areas where I see the most mistakes in helping over-worked players get through the season healthy. more details | go to article

World Cup A 1-Month Ad In US For 'Beautiful Game'
by Nancy Armour (Analysis | USA Today - May 20)
From California to the Carolinas, from soccer aficionados to those who can just about pick David Beckham out in a tabloid photo, the World Cup is generating some serious buzz in the United States. more details | go to article

"Green Card" Incident Outrages Students After Soccer Match
by Molli Graham (Article | KMTV-Omaha (Action 3-CBS) - May 19)
A celebration is tarnished by the act of some students. What happened after last night's Nebraska State Boy's Soccer Championship, has some teens in hot water. more details | go to article

High School vs. Club: Putting Players At Peril (part I)
by Chris Hummer (Commentary | Soccer America - May 19)
The annual tug-of-war between club and high school soccer in many states has been around since the first days "travel" club soccer was invented and became a year-round option for players. Since then, it only seems to be getting worse, especially as more "showcase" travel events and elite leagues crop up and place additional demands on the upper-echelon players. more details | go to article

Lepore Presents Development Academy At First-Ever Meeting Of CONCACAF Technical Directors
by No Author Listed (Press Release | USSF - May 18)
In late April, Development Academy Technical Advisor and Director of Scouting Tony Lepore represented U.S. Soccer at the first-ever Meeting of CONCACAF Technical Directors in the Cayman Islands. The joint venture between FIFA and CONCACAF brought together technical advisors and directors from the United States, Canada and all of the Caribbean nations to share ideas, goals and challenges. Mexico and the Central American nations held a similar conference in Spanish the week prior. more details | go to article

Chelsea Making Inroads In US
by Mark Stokes (Article | Boston Globe - March 29)
Manchester United may have outlets all over the world, but Chelsea F.C. are clearly making inroads into the United States these days, as was evidenced this week by the London club's announcement of partnerships with two established clubs in the South. more details | go to article

Twellman: MLS Deal Is A Win-Win
by Frank Dell'Apa (Profile/Interview | Boston Globe - March 23)
Taylor Twellman drew on history lessons as a Revolution player representative in collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Twellman knew from the experience of his predecessors an MLS players’ strike should be avoided, but he also realized the importance of being united. Also: Nantucket High School alum makes his debut for Brazil's Botafogo. more details | go to article

Dynamo's Cruz: A Curious Route To M.L.S.
by Jack Bell (Profile/Interview | New York Times - February 28)
For most young American soccer players, the road to the pros — whether in Major League Soccer or abroad — usually begins as a precocious sprout, jersey reaching past his knees in the beehives of youth soccer. more details | go to article