Resources

Participation trophies: Our staff’s reactions to the James Harrison controversy

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison sparked heated debate last week when he took to Instagram to share his disgust with the sports participation trophies given to his two young sons. Is North American youth soccer suffering under a “trophy for nothing” culture? Here are a few of our staff's observations.

LeBolt: Five ways to ruin preseason soccer training

The school year is almost here, which means preseason soccer training and camps are revving up for fall league play. Unfortunately, many approaches to preseason prep hurt rather than help the team’s chances for healthy play and a winning season, writes Dr. Wendy LeBolt.

Women’s World Cup All-Stars: Sauerbrunn snub sinks what’s left of FIFA’s credibility

FIFA named its 2015 Women's World Cup All-Star team on Monday, and one of the list's oversights is so laughable that it calls into further question the entire organization's credibility when it comes to women's soccer, writes Charles Boehm.

Ali Krieger interview on local TV offers in-depth 20 minutes on wide range of topics

Local and International soccer star Ali Krieger joined WJLA 7's Alex Parker on Toyota SportsTalk on Tuesday to talk about the U.S. World Cup win, her amazing career, and her current team, the Washington Spirit.

LeBolt: A Costa Rican lesson on “Pura Vida,” and youth soccer’s real value

Are you ready for a true "travel soccer" experience? A trip to Costa Rica provided Dr. Wendy LeBolt -- and a Virginia girls' club team -- with an unforgettable glimpse of soccer's true joy, and the bridges it can build across humanity.

O’Sullivan: 3 myths that are destroying the youth sports experience

Dure: USWNT boss Jill Ellis gets a contract into the unforeseeable future

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis led the USA to a Women's World Cup win, and earned a long-term contract extension as a result. The win has not, however, reduced skepticism that the women’s program is on the right track, writes Beau Dure.

LeBolt: Be quick, but never hurry

“Be quick, but never hurry.” This week Dr. Wendy LeBolt breaks down the many useful layers of that John Wooden quote, especially for all sides of the youth soccer equation.