I find this hilariously funny!

David Beckham got sent off from a youth soccer match:

"It was the younger kids of Romeo's club, and they're playing in the game and there was a penalty given. And the kids are 7 years old and he sent the kid off." After that, Beckham, who has seen his share of red cards in his career (including a crucial one in a World Cup match against Argentina in 1998), did what so many parents of youth soccer players have done — he opened his mouth.

A common belief is that US youth soccer players suffer from over coaching, and in many cases that is true. But in our helicopter parent society where kids rarely can just go 'play in the park', coaches are in a situation where they have to provide SOME instruction and opportunity to develop. How do you create a fun practice where the kids push themselves vs go through the motions while also correcting mistakes and allowing for self discovery of soccer skill?

On Thursday, US Youth Soccer announced that Dr. Thomas Fleck had died on December 24th. Dr. Fleck was well known to youth soccer coaches in the United States for his work with the National Youth license. He was a former National Staff coach and Youth Coordinator for the United States Soccer Federation, and spent over 40 years working to improve developmental methods and coaching techniques for youth soccer players.

Caroline Brockmeier -- Democrat photoBy Jim Henry
Democrat writer
Caroline Brockmeier has developed into one of the country's top youth soccer players. The sophomore goalie at Chiles High was invited to a national select camp two years ago and actually plays club soccer in Chicago. Established collegiate programs have started to express interest.

U.S. WNT and former Portland Pilot stars Stephanie Cox visited Town Hall on Wednesday to give a few gifts to local politicians and receive a proclamation (see below) from the Mayor and the city of Portland proclaiming a Day of Recognition for the U.S. WNT. That's one of many things we love about Portland.

By Andrew Hazelton (Former Afusionado President)
Soccer Customer Service?
When the Ultra's asked me to write a regular column on their site I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find enough material on a weekly basis about which to comment, especially on local issues. However, now that I am wearing a columnist's fedora content seems to be not only dropping into my lap, but slapping me in the face.

AURORA, Colo. (July 12, 2011) – Adding to the excitement of the 2010-11 Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) National Championship, ESPNU and ESPN3 will carry a live broadcast of the U-17 national championship game on Sat., July 16, with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET/noon MT from the Aurora Sports Complex in Aurora, Colo.

Finals Week has showcased some of the best youth soccer players in the United States, and there are bound to be Academy players that have made the crossover to the U.S. youth national teams. This year's Finals Week in Milwaukee is no exception, with players representing the U.S. U-15, U-17 and U-18 Men's National Teams.

Burrito not write in long times cause he peed-off with Los Estrikers!
The team is playing like poopoo! They need to play with huevos! Don't they know who used to wear the Red and Gold? Don't they know Burrito's compadre Ray Hudson used to wear #4? Or that Teófilo Cubillas used to wear #10?
Burrito ponders, Burrito chews on chew toy, then bites an old chicken bone, then back to chew toy.

The Independence huddle before hitting the field

Kai's headers were essential in this match

Tasha Kai's consistent pressure on goal led to great game for her

Boquete and Kai celebrate after Kai launches a beautiful header past NJ's goalie to open the scoring

NJ gets on the board with an own goal

NJ kept pressure on goal, leading to a very physical and hard fought first half

NJ celebrates after they earn their second goal to take the lead

Farrelly redirecting a cross

NJ's solid goaltending kept Sky Blue in the lead through the end of the first half

The team return to the field determined to regain this game

Visiting fans and youth soccer players from UAE celebrate after yet another Tasha Kai goal

Tasha Kai celebrates another goal after earning her a hat trick on the evening

Estelle Johnson.

Last week, Aaron Horvat and Jake Taylor were just like many other youth soccer players across Wisconsin, going off to a camp to become better players and get ready for the high school season.

This week, though, they're making plans to do something few state players ever get to do.

Part of our focus on the business aspects of soccer in the United States involves the occasional look at the charitable works around the sport. According to a team press release, members of the New England Revolution, youth soccer players and leaders from The
Salvation Army Kroc Center celebrated opening of the center's new soccer field with a ceremonial kickoff and scrimmage Shalrie Joseph, Kevin Alston, Chris Tierney and Darrius Barnes, joined about 150 local youth players on June
16 to commemorate the opening of The Salvation Army Kroc Center's new soccer field at its state-of-the-art health, fitness and community center in the Dorchester Upham's Corner neighborhood of Boston.

Pretty Smart! On Monday June 6, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will launch the Women's World Cup Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports. The event, which will be streamed live on www.state.gov. will take place 9:30 am ET at the Department of State with members of the U.

On June 6, the day after the USA faces Mexico at Red Bull Arena in its Women's World Cup Send-Off Match, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will launch the Women's World Cup Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports, at the Department of State with members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and youth soccer players from around the world.

Would you like to become a STATE CHAMPION or play COLLEGE SOCCER someday? If so then be sure to
attend the tryouts for the Springfield Soccer Club as we look to form our teams for 2011-2012. SSC is the only area club with College All-Americans, US Club Regional Champions, Midwest Regional League Champions, and their very own Indoor training facility with 2 fields and weight room.

Definitely something that you need to read, I like what could come from this.
From Sporting KC
Sporting Club announced Wednesday the launch of the Sporting Club Network, a groundbreaking membership of athletes and athletic organizations created to affiliate all interested soccer and other organizations in the Midwest with Sporting Club and Sporting Kansas City.

TAKE YOUR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL. IMPROVE TOUCH. LEARN SKILLS AND TACTICS. HAVE FUN!

When: June 6 – 9 for boys and girls
Ages 6 to 10 – 5:30 until 7:30
Ages 11 – 16 – 6:30 until 8:30

Where: Nixa Community Center Soccer Fields

Who: Nixa Soccer Club is a not for profit organization dedicated to developing competitive youth soccer players and coaches in Nixa and the surrounding communities.

[Editor's Note: The following is a press release from our good friend Jared Montz, formerly of the Chicago Fire, Vancouver Whitecaps and Puerto Rico Islanders.]

Every 45 seconds a child dies from Malaria. You can help!

You can help by participating in the OSA World Juggle-a-thon to benefit Nothing Buts on World Malaria Day which is today, April 25th!

Every 45 seconds a child dies from Malaria. You can help!
You can help by participating in the OSA World Juggle-a-thon to benefit Nothing Buts on World Malaria Day which is today, April 25th! Soccer players, fans and coaches everywhere are juggling to get better, juggling to save lives at 6pm their standard time anywhere in the world they have a soccer ball.

Tom Howe is at the forefront of player development of youth soccer players in the United States, and Mike Woitalla of Soccer America caught up with him recently to discuss his thoughts on developing players.
SOCCER AMERICA: If you had a magic wand, how would you use it to improve youth soccer in America?

Chris Trotman - Getty Images

Zach Loyd (right) is the latest example of how claims of need for specialization at young age are wrongheaded.

View full size photo »

Also file under: Making youth soccer better

I recently read a Q&A on Zach Loyd, the FC Dallas defender who just made a successful U.

Two days ago MLS announced it had hired J. Russell Findlay to the newly created postion of Chief Marketing Officer of Soccer United Marketing and Major League Soccer. Findlay will be responsible for all "marketing, branding and consumer understanding initiatives."

Yeah, I think that last one sounds stupid, too.