From the Wall Street Journal -
Other studies indicate that compared to Western parents, Chinese parents spend approximately 10 times as long every day drilling academic activities with their children. By contrast, Western kids are more likely to participate in sports teams.
- Enjoy
US Youth Soccer is proud to announce applications are now available for the third annual William J. “Billy” Goaziou Scholarships for post-secondary education.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded based on community service and giving back to the game of soccer to honor the memory of William J. “Billy” Goaziou for his outstanding services for soccer and US Youth Soccer.
The scholarships are awarded annually through the US Youth Soccer Foundation to one male and one female recipient. Students eligible for this year’s scholarships are those planning to attend a post-secondary education institute for the first time in the fall of 2011.
To learn more including eligibility requirements and to download the application, click here.
Hat tip to MYSA for the link.
CHICAGO (Dec. 15, 2010) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team has been drawn into Group B of the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, which will serve as qualifying for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, along with Cuba and Panama.
USA at CONCACAF U-17 Championship Group B Schedule
Date Match Kickoff (ET) Venue
Feb. 14 USA vs. Cuba 3 p.m. Trelawny Stadium; Montego Bay, Jamaica
Feb. 16 Cuba vs. Panama 3 p.m. Trelawny Stadium; Montego Bay, Jamaica
Feb. 18 USA vs. Panama 3 p.m. Trelawny Stadium; Montego Bay, Jamaica
The 12 teams participating in the CONCACAF event were drawn into four groups of three teams each. The top two finishers in each group will move on to the tournament’s quarterfinals, and the four quarterfinal winners will advance to the World Cup.
Should the U.S. advance through the group phase, they will play one of the top two finishers in Group A, which is made up of Costa Rica, El Salvador and Haiti. Mexico, which is hosting the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, has an automatic berth and will not participate in the CONCACAF tournament.
Read the entire story here – U.S. Drawn into Group B With Cuba and Panama at 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship
FA Cup, Steven Gerrard, Liverpool (2006)
Sir Alex Ferguson will take nothing for granted ahead of Manchester United’s blockbuster FA Cup tie with Liverpool on Sunday. Ferguson has an excellent record in the world’s oldest cup competition, winning the trophy on five occasions.
However, last season brought one of his least favourite moments as United were dumped out in the third round for the first time since he arrived at Old Trafford in 1986.
Even worse, defeat came at Old Trafford, at the hands of a Leeds side who were trying to gain promotion out of League One.
Get caught up on the competition on Fox Soccer – FA Cup
UPDATE – here’s a story looking at five games that could lead to upsets, including my boys Leeds chances against Arsenal.
Kristine Lilly, US Soccer
The 5-foot-4-inch midfielder hangs up her boots at age 39 as perhaps the game’s most accomplished player and certainly one of the most successful and decorated female athletes in U.S. history. She played in five FIFA Women’s World Cups (the only woman to do so) and three Olympic Games, helping the USA win four of those tournaments, finishing second once and third three times. Lilly scored in every world championship tournament she played, except her first, the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup when she was 20 years old.
To read more about Kristine, visit the US Soccer website
Kristine Lilly highlights video
U17 Girls St Louis Scott Gallagher, Jan 2011
Molly (2nd from left, front row in the photo) scored the lone Scott Gallagher goal in the 40th minute of the teams first match in Orlando, usually the most important game of any tournament. The 1-0 win, combined with another shutout win in the 2nd game, meant their 0-0 tie in the third game of the tournament, guaranteed their spot in the National Tournament in July.
The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation’s top teams in the Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 boys and girls age groups. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers top notch competition. National League teams earn slots via success in the US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues and the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.
The 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships are being held in Phoenix July 26-31. Congratulations to Molly. She joins Chelsea and Skyler Russell as players from this region to compete at Nationals. Chelsea was a member of the U15 National Champions with St Louis SC in 2006.
CHICAGO (Dec. 20, 2010) — For their excellence at the highest levels of the sport, U.S. Soccer named U.S. Men’s National Team forward Landon Donovan as the 2010 Male Athlete of the Year and U.S. Women’s National Team forward Abby Wambach as the 2010 Female Athlete of the Year. Under-20 MNT defender Gale Agbossoumonde and U-20 WNT goalkeeper Bianca Henninger won the Young Male and Young Female Awards, respectively. The U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award is the highest honor awarded to soccer players in the United States.
Read the complete story here – Donovan, Wambach, Agbossoumonde and Henninger Voted 2010 U.S. Soccer Athletes of the Year
Matt Pickens, Colorado Rapids (Missouri State 2002) by Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images
“The timing is right to assess many of the younger players and to broaden the player pool as we look forward to the next three years,” said Bradley. “These extended camps give the coaching staff an opportunity to work with these players closely, and at the same time expose them to what the environment and expectations are like at the international level. We have a good feel for the veteran players in the pool, several of whom are coming off long seasons, and we certainly expect many of them to be part of the program for the important tournaments this year.”
Check out the entire 24 man roster here – Bradley Calls 24 Players to Begin Training Camp on Jan. 4 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Jessica Yach, Nixa Eagles (May 2006)
Regina Bodine, Sr, Missouri Valley (Willard) – her 2nd year!
Patsy Middleton, Jr, Missouri Valley (Willard)
Jessica Yach, Sr, Missouri Valley (Nixa) – her 2nd year!
Megan Garrad, Jr, Wm Jewell (Glendale)
Jamie Bond, Jr, William Wood (Glendale)
2009 Daktronic’s NAIA Scholar-Athletes
Here’s an old interview with Bodine and Middleton after Willard won to move onto their first ever District Final in 2007.
Coach Kiley Cirillo, Indianapolis Greyhounds
“We are very fortunate to have Kiley accept the position of head women’s soccer coach,” UIndy Director of Athletics Sue Willey said. “He is familiar with our program and our student-athletes and this will make for a very smooth transition. Kiley’s previous success and experience make him a great fit for our UIndy athletics family.”
Prior to coming to UIndy, Cirillo served as the head men’s soccer coach at Missouri Southern State University for six years. He was the assistant men’s and women’s coach for the Lions for two years as well.
Cirillo, a Kickapoo graduate and former player at Missouri Southern prior to becoming Head Coach, joined the Greyhounds as an assistant Coach in the Fall of 2009 and has two years experience with the program. The Greyhounds are part of the GLVC and compete against Drury and Missouri S&T.
In addition, he has been working with the Indy Burn. Kiley’s wife Nicole is a Volleyball Coach for the IUPUI Jaguars in Indianapolis.
