Commentary
TCM Survey: Youth soccer players who don’t practice at home are more likely to quit
Results from The Coaching Manual's survey.
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All Commentary Articles
Changing times in the youth game: Should we celebrate or cry?
Tim Bradbury, the Director of Coaching Instruction for the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association provides his insight on the new U.S. Soccer mandates being implemented by US Youth Soccer.
Resentment, conspiracy theories simmer as youth soccer bodies push birth-year change
A sizeable chunk of American soccer leaders and opinion-makers have gathered in the nation's capital this week, thanks to the USMNT's friendly vs. Peru, and a decidedly wonky topic loomed large for many from the youth soccer community: the U.S. Soccer Federation's recently-announced changes to the organization of birth-year age groups.
Ten reasons Klinsmann should recall Landon Donovan for CONCACAF Cup vs. Mexico
Since LD's departure, the US attack has clearly lacked an assertive, incisive creator to step up in the clutch. And since Klinsmann's current ace in the hole, college kid Jordan Morris, probably won't be available, Landon can hop on the 110 and make it up from Manhattan Beach in no time for the most important game since the 2014 World Cup for Team USA. Here are our favorite "Mexicutioner" moments: Tell us your favorites or share other thoughts in the comments.
LeBolt: Five things parents aren’t doing to protect their kids from concussions
We are aware of the concussion risks. We’re getting educated about the symptoms. We’re badgering our clubs to establish concussion policies, and we are letting the referee know just how we feel about that dangerous play out there. But there are five things parents aren’t doing to strengthen kids against concussions, writes Dr. Wendy Lebolt.
Russell Wilson, nanobubbles and celebrity tweets: Read with caution
Russell Wilson, quarterback of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, recently gave a very public endorsement of a "nanobubbles" drink product that he claims helped cure a concussion. It's a sign of a very misleading, even outright dangerous trend, says Dr. Wendy LeBolt.
Do you agree with U.S. Soccer’s new youth mandates? Take our quiz
As word of the new rules about youth soccer structure in the United States make their way though the community, it seems a lot of people have opinions - and that's always good. There's a lot of comments already on Beau Dure's blog posts on our site already, and now we want to know what you think!
Howard women rout Hampton: Division I, not something to rush into
Hampton University's brand-new varsity women's soccer program has gotten off to a rough start in NCAA Division I, with two lopsided losses adding up to -33 goal differential with a cumulative shots disadvantage of 214-2. Dr. Wendy LeBolt takes a look at the tough road being traveled by this Virginia school's brave team.
Dure: U.S. Soccer’s birth-year plan is shortsighted, helping coaches, not kids
The U.S. Soccer Federation's intervention in the messy world of youth soccer is surely overdue, writes Beau Dure. The decision to rearrange age groups, though, was neither the most important issue to address, nor an elegant solution to a minor problem.
