Girls’ Soccer Teams Should Have Women on Staff
FIFA’s new rule to require women on coaching staffs at women’s tournaments is a big shift in how the global game is run, and for parents of girls it sends a clear message: your daughters should see women in the leadership around their teams. It is a step in the right direction, even if the […]
Are Youth Soccer Organizations Deliberately Trying to Confuse Parents?
I’m not sure if this is more amusing or annoying… I’ve been tracking the emergence of “NewComp” (the working name – why not just announce the ACTUAL new name?!?), the new league combining the NPL and USYS National leagues. In theory, this is a move to unify and simplify a significant portion of the overall […]
How Total Spanish Immersion Gives Soccer Players the Extra Edge
This article was created in partnership with MESA, a sponsor of U.S. Soccer Parent At Madrid Euro Soccer Academy, our players have an opportunity not many receive: the chance to develop in the Spanish capital. Under the guidance of top-notch UEFA Pro coaches, our players train in world-class facilities and compete against elite local teams: […]
When to Consider a True Summer Soccer Break
This is the season when families are making summer soccer plans. Or maybe not? Many kids benefit from taking at least one true summer break from youth soccer—skipping camps, clinics, and organized training for a few weeks or even a full month. The key question for parents is not “Will my child fall behind?” but […]
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 […]