I arrived tonight in Vancouver, B.C., for the FIFA/CONCACAF Conference on the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany 2011. After looking through my brochure, I'm excited to see that many coaches, instructors and staff from FIFA projects I've worked on previously, and many of my fellow Americans, will be here.

FC Milwaukee defender Brittany Von Rueden continues to make an impression on the U.S. women's national team coaches.

U.S. Soccer women's technical director April Heinrichs called Von Rueden in for another Under-18 camp, which starts Saturday in Chula Vista, Calif.

Mequon's Von Rueden, a senior at Milwaukee DSHA who has verbally committed to play at Notre Dame next fall, was part of four Under-18 national team camps in 2011 – most recently last month in Florida.

Alexandra Wong (McLean Power; Rockville, Md.) and Anna McClung (GSA Phoenix; Gate City, Va.) where selected by U.S. Women's National team technical director April Heinrichs to be part of the final U-18 wnt camp of 2011.
Wong and McClung will head to Florida for the camp that takes place December 11-18.

FC Milwaukee defender Brittany Von Rueden is headed south for the final U.S. Under-18 women's national team camp of the year.

Von Rueden, a Notre Dame recruit, is one of 26 players called in by U.S. Soccer women's technical director April Heinrichs for the camp Dec. 11 to 18 in Sunrise, Fla.

Taylor SchisslerEclipse Select and U.S. Soccer Communications
CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club defender and New Lenox, Ill., resident Taylor Schissler is one of 26 players who were called in to participate in the U.S. U-18 Women's National Team's final training camp of 2011.
The Lincoln-Way Central junior will take part in a Dec.

Three soccer players from Virginia have been named semifinalists of the Inspireum Soccer Awards. Tyler Hobbs (Chesapeake), Christian Metzler (Woodbridge), and Gaela Normile (Virginia Beach) are hoping to win the $25,000 in scholarships.
The list of 50 semifinalists will be narrowed down to 12 finalists on December 13th by the National Selection Committee that includes coaches April Heinrichs and Jurgen Klinsmann.

FC Milwaukee defender Brittany Von Rueden was called back into camp with the U.S. Under-18 women's national team.

U.S. Soccer women's technical director April Heinrichs is overseeing the week-long camp, which starts Saturday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Von Rueden, a Notre Dame recruit, also was part of the Under-18 national team camp in June.

Albertin Montoya has been named head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team. The former FC Gold Pride head coach that won the 2010 WPS title and a long-time youth coach will lead the team into CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which will be held from Sept.

Steve Swanson has been named head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team. The long-time head coach at the University of Virginia will lead the team into CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, which will be held in Uzbekistan from August 18-September 8.
Swanson will work under the guidance of U.

FC Milwaukee defender Brittany Von Rueden was called into a U.S. Under-18 women's national team training camp June 7 to 14 in Chula Vista, Calif.

Von Rueden, who lives in Mequon and has verbally committed to play at Notre Dame in 2012, was one of 24 players named to the camp roster by coach April Heinrichs.

Woodbury, Minn. natives Kassey Kallman (Florida State; Woodbury, Minn.) and Catie Sessions (Wisconsin; Woodbury, Minn.) have both been called back into the U.S. Women's U-20 National Team camp. This is the 3rd call up for Kallman and the 2nd for Sessions who's last a training camp was at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Caroline Casey (Virginia Rush; Chesapeake, Va.), is in Califrornia training under the new U.S. women's technical director April Heinrichs and the U.S. under-18 women's national team. The camp runs through Saturday at the Home Depot Center.
See full story here at :SoccerAmerica.com

Caroline Casey (Virginia Rush; Chesapeake, Va.), is in Califrornia training under the new U.S. women's technical director April Heinrichs and the U.S. under-18 women's national team. The camp runs through Saturday at the Home Depot Center.
See full story here at :SoccerAmerica.com

In what is a clear sign that somebody within U.S. Soccer is still buying what former USWNT head coach Tony DiCicco selling, Sunil Gulati announced appointed April Heinrichs as the Technical Director and Jill Ellis as the Development Director for the U.S. Women's National Teams.
In an interview with National Soccer Examiner DiCicco rightfully called out U.

In what is a clear sign that somebody within U.S. Soccer is still buying what former USWNT head coach Tony DiCicco selling, Sunil Gulati announced appointed April Heinrichs as the Technical Director and Jill Ellis as the Development Director for the U.S. Women's National Teams.
In an interview with National Soccer Examiner DiCicco rightfully called out U.

Longtime North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance, who has led the Tar Heels to 20 NCAA titles, is the recipient of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Honor Award for 2010. Dorrance was presented the award at the NSCAA's annual awards banquet Friday in Baltimore.
Dorrance, who coached such stars as Mia Hamm, April Heinrichs, Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow, Carla Overbeck and Heather O'Reilly at UNC, was the coach of the U.

Union

Justin Mapp talks about how welcome he felt when he came to the Union, what he's doing in the off season, and the team's focus on winning in 2011. "Our fans are the best in the league. They're loud. They're supportive. They're passionate. When we start stringing wins together, these fans are going to be the ones who deserve it.

Above, NSCAA coaches watch a high school boy's team for our Match Analysis session on Tuesday night.

The times are a-changin'

Even though we've been crazy busy at the NSCAA Premier Diploma course in Ft. Lauderdale, it's important to note that there have been some developments in women's soccer in the last two days.

Former U.S. Women's head coach and current Bosten Breakers (WPS) head coach, Tony DiCicco was asked by VaSoccerNews for his reaction to the announcement of the new USWNT directors being named.

April Heinrichs and Jill Ellis are two of our most successfull coaches and, although the task in front of them is considerable because we have had a gap in leadership for a number of year.

Former U.S. Women's head coach and current Bosten Breakers (WPS) head coach, Tony DiCicco was asked by VaSoccerNews for his reaction to the announcement of the new USWNT directors being named.

April Heinrichs and Jill Ellis are two of our most successfull coaches and, although the task in front of them is considerable because we have had a gap in leadership for a number of year.

The boy from Brazil is out of Italy: Ronaldinho is heading home, he announced today at a news conference (AP Photo).

*Sounds like the Galaxy's interest in Ronaldinho is pretty much done at least for the forseeable future:

SAO PAULO (AP) -- Ronaldinho reached an agreement with AC Milan on Thursday to end his contract, clearing the way to return to Brazil soccer.