An interview with ECNL Boys Commissioner, Jason Kutney

As the ECNL Boys gains strength, SoccerNation sat down with the league commissioner to learn more about the league and its future The ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) has been a home and platform for top competitive soccer players for years. On the girls side, the ECNL has been a constant source for top college […]
SoCal Teenagers Living the Dream

It was a near perfect afternoon for Lynwood native, Ulysses Llanez. Imagine growing up in Southern California with the dream of playing soccer at the highest level possible. Add to that the opportunity to play for the US Mens National Team in your home town at just the age of 18. That is exactly what […]
2-0, ey? USA falls to Canada for the first time in decades

What are the problems, and how will they be fixed? Long term: Is “Pay to Play” the problem? Kyle Martino hinted that eliminating “Pay to Play” needs to be the focus if American soccer is to be improved. He said on Twitter: …nothing will improve our USMNT more than unlocking soccer in the cities of […]
Key qualities of a great soccer player

A few months ago, I talked to Shawn Beyer about US Soccer Talent Identification Scouts. CLICK HERE to read about what scouts do at games. 6 KEY QUALITIES OF GREAT SOCCER PLAYERS, according to US Soccer A very important part of our interview was when Shawn listed the six key qualities that US Soccer looks […]
US Women’s Victory Tour: a Photo Album

On the heels of their fourth Women’s World Cup championship, the USA Women’s National team has embarked on a nation-wide Victory Tour. The first tour stop was the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on August 3rd. View this post on Instagram saturday night lights ? A post shared by Rose Lavelle (@lavellerose) on Aug 5, 2019 […]
Women’s World Cup Final: Preview from the Expert

There may not be a better person in the world to preview the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final. From 2009 until late 2017, Mirelle van Rijbroek was the director of all things girls’ youth soccer in the Netherlands. She trained, coached, and was an important part of the Dutch girls’ youth system that eventually became […]
After years of Development, LAFC is Ready for Its First DA Playoffs

Back in 2016, LAFC didn’t have a stadium. Or a head coach. Or Carlos Vela. MLS had awarded a franchise to Los Angeles, but they wouldn’t play their first game in the league until 2018. They did, however, have an Under-12 US Soccer Development Academy team. From the ground up LAFC ownership had decided to […]
American Soccer: Using Our Strengths and Addressing Our Challenges (Part 1)

A conversation with the Director of Talent Identification for US Soccer, Mirelle van Rijbroek The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup has kicked off in France. Leading up to this Women’s World Cup, I asked van Rijbroek the hard question: Who does she think will win the championship? She answered, “Well, I hope we do, of […]
“Talent is Overrated.” A Comparison of Three of the World’s Top GU17 Strikers

At the time of this article’s original publishing, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup was less than 100 days away. The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) will be fighting to defend their world title and earn their fourth star. An easy path to the final does not exist. While the rest of the women’s soccer […]
Honduras vs. USA: Dempsey and Pulisic hold the keys in San Pedro Sula

The last time the United States Men’s National Team played Honduras, there was angst in the air. With the U.S. losing their opening two CONCACAF Hexagonal World Cup Qualifying fixtures to Mexico and Costa Rica, thus completing the final chapter of Jurgen Klinsmann’s rocky reign as manager, the fear of missing out on Russia 2018 […]
California Native Arturo Vasquez Named To U-17 CONCACAF Championship Roster

Looking for the same success the U-20 Men’s National Team had earlier this year when it won the U-20 CONCACAF Championship, U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Head Coach John Hackworth has named a 20-player roster that will compete in the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship that runs from April 21 – May 7 in Panama. Included […]
Four California Natives Named To U.S. Roster For Upcoming U-20 Women’s World Cup

U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team head coach Michelle French has named a roster of 21 players who will represent the U.S. at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea from November 13 to December 3. Included in the roster are four California natives, the most from any individual state. The four […]
U.S. Soccer Announces Final 22 Clubs For Girls Development Academy

U.S. Soccer’s Girls’ Development Academy is now up to 74 teams following Tuesday’s announcement of an additional 22 teams. Included in the group of 22 are five California teams. Real So Cal, Burlingame SC, Pateadores, PSV Union, and West Coast Futbol Club. Also named were two familiar Arizona clubs Sereno SC and SC del Sol. […]
Deathly? Copa America Group A Preview

We begin our Copa America Centenario Preview here at Soccer Nation with Group A, where the tournament kicks off on June 3rd. Whether or not you label it as the “Group of Death”, there is no question that the foursome of Colombia, the United States, Paraguay, and Costa Rica is as deep and challenging as […]
Q&A with National Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee Shannon MacMillan

On May 5th, it was announced that San Diego’s very own Shannon MacMillan was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. After a 12-year-career that included a whopping 176 matches for the U.S. Women’s National Team, it’s no surprise that the highly-talented veteran was chosen as a member of the 2016 Hall of Fame class. […]
U.S. Soccer Releases Updated Information on Girls’ Development Academy

The United States Soccer Federation released an update regarding the Application Process for acceptance into the forthcoming Girls’ Development Academy. Originally announced in February, the Girls’ DA is due to begin play in Fall 2017. U.S. Soccer has revealed that there will initially be three combined age groups in the new Girls’ Academy: Under-14/15, Under-16/17 […]