Athletics and Academics Can Develop Well-rounded Young People
Intense focus on sport does not have to come at the expense of academics; when it’s done with intention, the same structures that build great athletes also build better students and stronger people. A recent Education Week article on sports as a vehicle for social‑emotional learning (SEL) is a powerful jumping‑off point, because SEL is […]
Carolina Core’s Homegrown Expansion – A Possible Glimpse of What’s Next
Carolina Core FC is expanding its MLS NEXT Homegrown program for 2026–27, and while it’s one local decision in one region, it offers an interesting look at how elite youth pathways might evolve outside traditional MLS markets. The High Point–based club, which plays in MLS NEXT Pro, has announced that its MLS NEXT Homegrown Division […]
Another Acronym in Youth Soccer: What the State‑Association Consortium Really Is (and Why Parents Don’t Need to Panic)
This is really an FYI for soccer parents, not anything of immediate strong relevance or concern, but when I heard about it (an announcement about the Florida state association joining)I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a bit. Every few months, American youth soccer seems to invent a new acronym. The latest entry is the […]
A Modest Proposal: Introducing Youth Soccer Nationals on National TV: One Field, One Bracket, One True Champion!
OK, not really. Don’t get excited. But this is an announcement I really would like to see. Recently, I saw a story in Youth Sports IQ that stopped me in my tracks: for the first time, all 22 games of the 2026 Little League Softball World Series in Greenville will air on ESPN’s linear TV […]
Valencia: Top Summer Camp Destination
This article was created in partnership with FUTEDU, a sponsor of U.S. Soccer Parent Every summer, more families look for something beyond just sports activities for their children: they want a safe, educational environment with a clear purpose. Valencia is establishing itself as one of the preferred destinations for summer soccer camps aimed at international […]
AYSO Section 1 Alliance: A Prototype for a Better Pathway Approach?
AYSO’s Section 1 Alliance program sits in an unusual—and increasingly important—space in the U.S. youth soccer landscape. It is neither traditional “rec plus” nor a typical pay‑to‑play elite club. Instead, S1 Alliance is trying to stretch AYSO’s long‑standing philosophies into the same competitive neighborhoods as MLS NEXT, ECNL, and top‑flight USYS/US Club teams—without adopting the […]
Is USL Premier For Real?
USL is finally committing to a vertically integrated, movement‑based system. Promotion and relegation across three professional tiers won’t instantly turn the U.S. into England, but it introduces a fundamentally more European logic. The United Soccer League’s announcement of USL Premier, a new Division I league slated to launch in 2028, is the most ambitious structural […]
We don’t just develop footballers, we develop people.
This article was created in partnership with FUTEDU, a sponsor of U.S. Soccer Parent Education is the foundation of true player development When speaking with football families, almost all share the same desire: that their child improves, enjoys, grows in the sport and signs for a team. More confidence, better decisions, higher performance. But if […]
Is College Soccer a Viable Pathway to Pro?
Division I still has the strongest connection to professional opportunities, but players do move from Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college into MLS, NWSL, USL and overseas—just with lower probabilities and a narrower, more individual path. NCAA data suggest that well under 2% of all college soccer players reach major professional leagues, even […]
College Soccer: It’s Not All About DI!
Recently, we wrote a blog about the diminishing odds for U.S. teens to land on college DI rosters. It sparked quite a lot of conversation and some parents pointed out that DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCOs all deserve consideration. Division I is not the only path to meaningful college soccer or athletic money. For many […]