FUEL Soccer 2016 September

OFFICIAL US YOUTH SOCCER MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2016 EDITION | VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 17

A new face with the USMNT brings

REASON FOR HOPE

Darlington Nagbe may have something the National Team has lacked.

Whitney Engen USWNT feature P. 39

US Youth Soccer Alum Rose Lavelle’s Rise P. 45

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW National champion coach talks recruiting P. 48

UNC commit shares ODP memories P. 51

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+ +2016-17 National League

The 2016-17 National League season kicks off in December. See who will earn their place and secure a spot in the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Click Here

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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intro video

US YOUTH SOCCER FUEL FOR september

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CONTENT

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Player of the Month

P. 6

Faces of US Youth Soccer

P. 7

Soccer 101

P. 12

Pics From the Pitch

P. 14

APP Attack

P. 33

us youth soccer odp - maggie pierce

P. 50

Soccer Tricks

P. 52

New Products

P. 53

US Youth Soccer TV

P. 54

Quick Meals

P. 56

Dinner Time

P. 58

nutrition

P. 58

Fun Pages

P. 65

Fun Pages: Answer Key

P. 69

credits

P. 70

FACES OF the game P. 35 PLAYER FAVORITES P. 8 building a national champion p. 47

ARE YOU READY P. 59

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s

US Youth Soccer

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Explained

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U

S Youth Soccer is the largest youth sports organization in the U.S. and consists of over 3 million youth players ages Under-5 to 19. The organization is the largest member of the U.S. Soccer Federation and is comprised of 55 State Associations that provide structure and support within these state boundaries. In short, US Youth Soccer is all about fostering the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through soccer at all levels of age and competition. Our job is also to make it fun, and instill in young players a lifelong passion for the sport. US Youth Soccer offers great programs for players!

Learn more at USYouthSoccer.org

Where Do I Fit In?

Teams

Kohl’s US Youth Soccer American Cup provides recreational players an opportunity to experience a high-quality statewide tournament in a fun, family-like atmosphere. It fosters stimulation and excitement about soccer in an effort to increase the recreational players’ interest and love for the game.

US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup provides a competitive experience to teams from the state to regional to national level. The Presidents Cup gives players an additional opportunity to compete against teams from across the country at a high level for the joy and the challenge of the game.

US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition. US Youth Soccer ODP is all about high-level training to enhance development of players and coaches.

Soccer Across America is designed to introduce the sport of soccer to communities not yet served by existing clubs and leagues. Focused on making soccer available to lower-income children in underserved communities, Soccer Across America provides soccer training and administrative guidance.

US Youth Soccer National Championship Series consists of the annual State, Regional and National Championships. Teams earn their way through the Series based on success. More than 10,000 teams compete each year, ultimately seeking the eye of college coaches and to hoist the National Championship trophy at the end of July.

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to those with mental or physical disability.

US Youth Soccer National League is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional League, Midwest Regional League, Southern Regional Premier League and Far West Regional League) to play for the league title and earn a ticket to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Youth Soccer Month The National Youth Soccer Month campaign celebrated its 14th year of educating the public about the joys, rewards and benefits of playing youth soccer, and offered a variety of resources to learn more about youth soccer and get involved.

Leagues

Associations/ Clubs/

US Youth Soccer

US Soccer

FIFA

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

u s y o u t h s o cc e r e x p l a i n e d

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+ +Player of the month

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ach month, we will recognize one male and one female player as the US Youth Soccer Player of the Month, whose accomplishments on and off the field stick out among the rest. The players who are selected will represent a balance of athletic achievement, sportsmanship and citizenship.

++Olivia

++Joshua

Canal Fulton, Ohio

Flemington, New Jersey

Olivia has been an enthusiastic and talented soccer player since she began playing the sport in kindergarten. She is an asset for her club soccer team and has shown outstanding character both on and off the field. Oliva maintains a 4.0 GPA in school through hard work in the classroom.

She also volunteers to help with church mission trips and has also assisted at local nursing homes. A big challenge arose in the past year, when Olivia was diagnosed with Alopecia — a condition that leads to hair loss. Olivia is still learning to deal with the dayto-day reality of having no hair, but she continues to shine on and off the field while setting an example for others to follow.

Over the past two years, Joshua — who plays for Lehigh Valley United — has collected more than 150 bags of food and raised money for the Flemington Food Pantry. After learning the highest demand for food comes in the summer months, Joshua has taken the initiative to gather donations — including 68 bags in one week this summer. The groceries and personal care products go to low-income families, which often include veterans, children and senior citizens. Each year, Joshua has asked a local store to donate bags, and he has personally drafted and printed more than 200 flyers to attach to the bags. He has also gone door to door to request donations and collected bags from willing households to deliver to the food bank.

nominate today click here

A snapshot of players who personify US Youth Soccer

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Evelyn Hammer

7

Club State

Isabel Galvan

Liam Amado

Cayla Lopez

Real Colorado Edge Millenium Soccer Kids Albion Hurricanes SC Southwest NM Rush

Frank Perera DUSC

Colorado

Texas

Texas

New Mexico

New York

Ninth

Seventh

10th

Ninth

Sixth

Position(s)

Forward

Defense

Forward

Midfield

Forward

Favorite Class

Science

Math

US History

Media

Soccer

Favorite Movie

Harry Potter

Mean Girls

Favorite TV Show

Pretty Little Liars

How I Met Your Mother

Drake and Josh

Criminal Minds

Soccer

Favorite Exercise

Planks

Passes

Rope Work

Running

Shooting

Least Favorite Exercise

Squats

Suicides

Combinations

Push-Ups

Running

Favorite Healthy Food

Berries

Broccoli

Grapes

Watermelon

Broccoli

Beets

Green Beans

Green Beans

Broccoli

Avocado

Music You Train To Role Model

Rachel Platten

Selena Gomez

Emicida

All Music

F2

Alex Morgan

Julie Johnston

Cristiano Ronaldo

Tobin Heath

Lionel Messi

Future Aspirations

USWNT

Pro Soccer

College Soccer

College Soccer

MLS

Grade in 2015-16

Least Favorite Healthy Food

The Count of Monte Cristo Bend It Like Beckham

Pele: Birth of a Legend

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

fFA a cCeES s o OF f sSO o cc C CeER r

+ +Favorite Quality in a Teammate

+Favorite + Goalkeeper Drill

Sara Callister

Pitt

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Utah Valley University

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As a sophomore in 2015, Callister led Utah Valley University to the school’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

A defender from Merced, California, Callister finished the season with three goals and seven assists. In high school, she helped Golden Valley High to a California Conference Championship in 2013.

“One of the most important qualities, and my favorite quality, in a teammate is determination – determination to push themselves, others and the team to their maximum potential. These are the players who become leaders and are successful on and off the field. Nothing feels better than performing beyond your expectations.

Having a player who helps you get there makes for a well-respected, admirable teammate.”

++What is your favorite Quality in a Teammate?

Share with us on facebook.

Mikal Outcalt Outcalt, a native of Strongsville, Ohio, played US Youth Soccer for the Challenger Crew Juniors (OH-N). He was a member of the Challenger Crew team that played in the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships.

“My favorite drill is when we work on taking crosses. We set up inflatable mannequins and replicate attackers that would be attacking the incoming crosses. The mannequins are there for us to learn to be strong in the air and not be afraid to make contact or hit someone.”

++Favorite Technical Drill Mark Ashby Harvard

Ashby, a native of Denton, Texas, is a three-year captain at Harvard.

“My favorite practice drill is called ‘Horseshoes.’ It has two teams with two players each, and there are cones roughly 30 yards apart. You trade off driving the ball to your partner standing at the opposite cone. The receiving partner must trap the ball in one touch and try to get the ball to rest as close to the cone as possible. Whichever team gets their ball closest wins a point.”

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M Y FAVORITES

++Favorite Stop in the Weight Room

+Favorite + Training Secret

Wesley Matthews

University of Nebraska Omaha

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University of Rhode Island

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Matthews, a native of Mafikeng, South Africa, is a senior captain at URI and the only Rhodies player to start all 20 games in 2015. As a sophomore in 2014, he was named to the 2014 Atlantic 10 AllChampionship Team. He was a three-sport captain (soccer, field hockey, cricket) at the International School of South Africa.

“I’m a skinny guy, so I’ve been put in the ‘needs to get bigger’ group. I actually like that though, because it motivates me to work even harder. I enjoy the upper body stuff we do – dumbbell presses, bicep curls and dead lifts. We also focus on improving our overall agility, which is especially important to me as a defender.”

++What is your favorite stop in the weight room?

Share with us on facebook.

Sophia Roux

Roux, a native of Medina, Minnesota, captained Benilde-St. Margaret’s School to a Class A State Championship in 2015. As a senior, she earned MSHSSCA All-Star honors after scoring eight goals and dishing out 23 assists. She led all players in Class A and Class AA throughout the state in assists. The US Youth Soccer ODP alum reached the finals of the 2012 US Youth Soccer Minnesota State Cup. “I like doing the plate walks because you can push yourself and it’s lifting but you aren’t just sitting still in one place.”

++Favorite Pregame Meal Breanna Mitchell Elon

Mitchell, a native of Sterling, Virginia, played club soccer for Northern Virginia FC (VA). In 2013, she participated in the US Youth Soccer ODP National Camps. As a high-school player at Dominion, Mitchell set the school record for most goals in a career. The freshman forward helped lead her high school team to a Virginia High School League state championship in 2014.

“My favorite pregame meal is any type of sandwich. I am definitely a sandwich person, and I could eat one every day.”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

M Y FAVORITES

++Favorite Activity on an Off-Day

+Favorite + 1v1 Move

Lauren Kaskie

Clemson

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UCLA

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Kaskie, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, played US Youth Soccer with the LV Heat (NV). Prior to joining the Heat, she won three US Youth Soccer Nevada State Championships with other club teams.

She was a member of the US U-20 National Team at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

“I usually have a few ideas in mind on my off day, but since I live in one of the best places in the world, I really enjoy hanging out at the beach. Whether I’m with friends or by myself, I find the beach (especially Manhattan or Malibu) relaxing and a fun place for some beach volleyball with a coffee by my side.”

+Who + is your favorite pactivity on an off-day?

Share with us on facebook.

Aaron Jones Jones, a native of Great Yarmouth, England, transferred to Clemson from Georgia State in January of 2015. He started 16 games for the Tigers last fall, recording his lone goal against Santa Barbara in the NCAA Sweet 16. The goal earned the honor of being named a Top 10 goal on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

He also had three assists on the season.

“My favorite 1v1 move is the ‘Rainbow.’ Unfortunately, due to the nature of the move you don’t often get to use it in a game!”

++Favorite Activity to Relax Eryk Williamson Maryland

Williamson, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, played US Youth Soccer with Arlington Soccer Association (VA). He participated in the 2013 US Youth Soccer ODP Championships with the 1997 Virginia squad that also won the US Youth Soccer ODP Region I Championship. As a freshman at Maryland in 2015, Williamson started 19 games and scored five goals. He was named to the Big Ten Championship All-Tournament Team.

“When I’m trying to relax, I binge watch a couple of television series and online shop.”

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Soccer 101

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In order to enjoy the most popular sport in the world, spectators need to understand the rules. Here is a breakdown of some soccer basics.

Basics: Soccer is a team sport in which two sides consisting of 11 players each compete to score goals, while protecting their own net from the opposing team.

Matches are played on a rectangular grass or artificial turf field, with two goals, one on each end of the field. The goals are eight feet high and 24 feet wide with a metal frame and a net.

Time: Games consist of two 45-minute halves played without stopping the clock, with a 15-minute break between, known as halftime. At the end of 45 minutes, the referee decides to add “stoppage time” to

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make up for any delays during play.

Results: During the regular season matches can end in ties, but if there must be a winner (during a tournament or playoff game), the standard procedure is to have two 15-minute overtime halves, followed by a penalty shootout in which five players from each team take turns shooting on goal.

Uniform: A player’s uniform consists of a jersey, shorts, socks, cleats and shin guards, collectively referred to as a “kit.” The goalkeeper is required to wear a uniform that is easy to differentiate from those on either team, so they often wear colors not included in the team’s regular scheme.

ball, a goalkeeper is not allowed to use his/her hands.

Defender: Also known as fullbacks, defenders are the last line of defense, besides the goalkeeper, hence the name defenders. Their main responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

Midfielder: Also known as halfbacks, midfielders are positioned between defenders and forwards. This allows them to move up and down the field and contribute to both the defensive and offensive efforts.

Forward: Although forwards often aid the rest of the team with defense, their main responsibility is to score goals.

Positioning

Set Pieces

Goalkeeper: There is only one goalkeeper on each team and he/she is the only player allowed to use hands and arms, although he/she is only allowed to do so within the penalty box. Also, if a teammate intentionally passes them the

Throw-ins: When a team causes the ball to go out of play on the sidelines, their opponents are awarded a throw-in.

This means that one player will throw the ball in toward one of his or her own teammates, resuming the game.

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Goal kick: A goal kick is given to a team when the opposing team does not score, but causes the ball to cross the defending team’s goal line on either side of the net.

Goal kicks can be taken by any player from anywhere in the 6-yard box.

Corner kick: A corner kick is given to the attacking team when the ball crosses the goal line, having been last touched by a player on the defending team. The ball is placed in the corner, where the sideline and goal line meet, and all players from the defending team must be at least 10 yards away from the ball.

Free Kick: Free kicks are given to a team when their opponents have committed a foul. There are two types of free kicks, indirect and direct. Indirect free kicks are for less severe offenses and must be touched by another player before entering the goal. Direct free kicks are given for serious fouls and are allowed to enter the goal without being touched by any other player.

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Under-15 Boys McLean 00 Green (VA) vs CFA Raiders (IL) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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15 Under-15 Girls Midwest United FC 01 Royal (MI) vs CUP Gold 00/01 (OH-S) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-17 Boys Seattle Unite 98 Copa (WA) vs Sporting St. Croix (MN) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-15 Girls Dallas Kicks SC 01 (TX-N) vs Sunrise Sting 00/01 (FL) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-18 Girls Tennessee SC 16 (TN) vs Carlsbad Elite 97/98 (CA-S) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-17 Girls YMS Premier Xplosion 98 (PA-E) vs Beach FC 98 Academy (CA-S) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-14 Boys Valparaiso United FC 02 JG (AZ) vs Baltimore Darby 01/02 (MD) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-13 Boys Strikers FC Chingirian (CA-S) vs 02 CASL Academy Juniors (NC) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-13 Girls Solar Chelsea Red (TXN) vs So Cal Blues 02 Baker (CA-S) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-18 Boys Santa Barbara SC White (CA-S) vs FC Golden State Platinum (CA-S) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-17 Boys Loudoun 98 Red (VA) vs Pipeline Black (MD) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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TOP PLAYERS•TOP TEAMS TOP COMPETITION The US Youth Soccer National League is celebrating its 10th season in 2016-17, as an expanded field of 256 of the nation’s top teams compete in meaningful games with berths to the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships on the line.

BOYS Dec. 8-11 | National League Fall Showcase | Wilson, N.C.

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Dec. 27-29 | Disney Soccer Showcase | Orlando, Fla. March 10-12 | Players College Showcase | Las Vegas, Nev.

GIRLS Under-19 Boys FC Golden State White (CA-S) vs FC Florida 96/97 Elite (FL) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-16 Boys Dix Hills Hurricanes (NY-E) vs Loudoun Red (VA) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Under-16 Girls Carlsbad Elite 99 (CA-S) vs Legends FC 99 (CA-S) US Youth Soccer / Rick Yeatts

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Live Football TV: The “Live Soccer TV” app is a comprehensive soccer TV guide, which provides match schedules with multi-platform broadcast listings. In addition, the app offers stats and events, live scores, news and analysis.

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FA C ES OF THE G A M E : US M NT

By Terry Jacoby

In Search of a Bigger Role

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Darlington Nagbe Getty Images

ne of the collective sentiments among United States soccer fans following this summer’s Copa America Centenario was that US Youth Soccer alum Darlington Nagbe is primed for a bigger role with the USMNT. Nagbe got the attention of USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann prior to the Copa America Centenario in May when he scored his first career goal with the National Team in a 1-0 friendly win over Ecuador. He played sparingly in the international tournament in June, often serving as a late-game substitute for Gyasi Zardes or Graham Zusi.

Nagbe, a star midfielder with Portland Timbers of the MLS, figures to see his role with the USMNT expand in the coming seasons. In July, he earned a selection to the 2016 MLS AllStar Game for the first time in his

career.

Nagbe played US Youth Soccer in his native Lakewood, Ohio, and was a member of the US Youth Soccer Region II ODP team. He was also a member of the OhioNorth ODP team and won four US Youth Soccer Ohio-North State Cup titles with Cleveland Internationals (OH-N) Your father played professional soccer in Europe, and you followed him around before you moved to the United States when you were 11. Did you have a chance to learn the game from professional players?

“It was cool going to practice and seeing those guys. I had opportunities to go to training and kick it around with some of the players.”

How did your experience playing US Youth Soccer compare to what you were

doing with the sport in Europe?

“It was different. It’s a lot more organized over here than it was in Europe. Over there, kids play in the streets and on recess. Here’s it’s more organized in terms of training with teams.”

What was your favorite part about playing US Youth Soccer?

“I played club all the way through high school. I traveled around the country to play other teams. The club regionals and tournaments in other states were great; I had a chance to play against some of the best players around the country.”

When did you start to get a sense you could play professionally?

“I always hoped to play professionally, but it wasn’t until my freshman year at the University of Akron. Each level, guys get more talented. It takes hard work along with a lot of talent.”

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Darlington Nagbe

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Nagbe played college soccer at the University of Akron, scoring 19 goals with 19 assists in 73 matches during three collegiate seasons. He was a Soccer America All-Freshman first team honoree, and was named the All-MAC Newcomer of the Year in as a freshman in 2008. As a sophomore in 2009 Nagbe was named to the NSCAA All-America Second Team and the All-MidAmerican Conference First Team.

In 2010 Nagbe helped the Akron Zips to their first ever national championship, a 1–0 regulation win in the College Cup Final against Louisville. He was named to the NSCAA All-America First Team, the All-MAC First Team, the College Cup All-Tournament Team, and was honored with the MAC Hermann Trophy as the 2010 College Soccer

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Player of the Year. “I learned in college that guys at this level are just as good. I takes hard work,” Nagbe said.

Nagbe has had the same coach at the college and professional level – Caleb Porter. The former San Jose Earthquakes player coached at Akron from 2006 to 2012, overlapping with Nagbe from 2008 to 2010.

He took over as head coach of the Portland Timbers in 2013, three years into Nagbe’s professional career. “I’m familiar with his tactics, and he knew me as someone who would do the right things,” Nagbe said. “He keeps me motivated.”

Nagbe was selected by Portland Timbers in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He missed the first couple of weeks of the season due to injury before making his professional debut on April 2, 2011 in a 1–1 tie with New England

Revolution. Nagbe scored his first goal on a volley that was eventually named the 2011 MLS goal of the year in a 2–1 loss to Sporting Kansas City.

Nagbe officially became a U.S. citizen in September of 2015. The highly anticipated accomplishment meant that Nagbe, who was born in Liberia, but raised in Ohio, was finally eligible for consideration for the U.S. National Team. He earned his first cap for the USMNT last November when the USA thrashed St. Vincent & the Grenadines 6-1 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Nagbe is known as a specialist in safe possession. The nitpick on the Portland Timbers’ silky-smooth midfielder has been in modest scoring output: 24 goals and 23 assists in 160 starts entering this season. He did make the MLS All-Star team for the first time in 2016.

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Nagbe received his first call-up to the United States National Team in November of 2015 for a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

He made his international debut at the age of 25.

“I always hoped it would happen, but I was still surprised,” Nagbe said. “There are obviously a lot of good players in this country. To get an opportunity and a call-up to go, I was surprised.”

Nagbe performed well enough in limited playing time to stick with the USMNT. Over the last 10 months, he has made 10 appearances with the National Team.

“It’s what I expected,” Nagbe said.

“There are a lot of hungry players.

I’m fighting for position and happy to represent my country. There’s no difference between a starter and a player who comes off the bench.

Everybody has to be ready when their number is called.”

While Nagbe has heard calls from fans that his role should expand, he blocks out the noise to focus on improving his individual game.

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“It’s not always about which players have the most talent. You can always control your attitude.”

Darlington Nagbe Getty Images

agbe was born in Liberia and left the country as a 5-monthold when his mother fled due to the First Liberian Civil War. The Nagbe family then followed Darlington’s father, Joe Nagbe, through France, Greece and Switzerland as the man of the house pursued a professional soccer career overseas.

The Nagbes settled in the Cleveland area when Darlington was 11.

“The one thing I do a little bit differently from other players is take care of my body,” Nagbe said. “I make sure I put the right things in my body.

Physically, I don’t do too much training outside of what my team does on the field. Some people have a knack for the game. For me, it comes through watching a lot of soccer and wanting to be as good as the guys I’m watching.”

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Whitney Engen The Trusted Defender

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Whitney Engen Getty Images

hitney Engen made her debut with the US Women’s National Team on March 4, 2011 against Norway.

Since then, the talented defender has moved up the ranks to become a regular fixture on Team USA. A central defender, Engen has a commanding aerial presence at the back as well as on offensive set pieces. She was a member of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion team as well as the 2016 Olympic Team. She played six matches in 2015, starting three, and had a goal and an assist. At the Olympics in August, she made two starts in place of an injured Julie Johnston.

The Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., native played US Youth Soccer for Slammer FC (CA-S) – and was a teammate of Christen Press. She reached the 2004 and

2005 US Youth Soccer National Championships after securing regional titles.

She graduated with a degree in political science from North Carolina. Professionally, she plays with the Boston Breakers of the NWSL. Your parents encouraged you to try different sports growing up?

“We had a rule in our house that my brother and I had to participate in at least two activities. We got to choose, but they encouraged us to try every sport. So I played every sport you could imagine.”

What about soccer did you like compared to those other sports?

“I liked it at first because it was a team sport and I made a lot of friends right away playing soccer.

It just stuck with me and as I got older all of the other sports just faded into the background.”

You have had a lot of success,

but you also are very humble?

“I am fortunate to have had a lot of doors open up for me. And when they did open I did everything I could to push my way through.”

At what age were you when you decided that soccer was more than just a game, but something that would be your life?

“In high school and even going into college I lacked selfconfidence. My biggest weakness was not believing in myself to the point where I didn’t even know if I could play college soccer. I never had high expectations for myself until after I got to college.”

What changed to turn on your self-confidence?

“Going to North Carolina. It did more for my soccer career and confidence than anything I ever did. The coaches stressed the different pillars of the game.

I realized you can set goals and achieve goals if you work hard.”

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Soccer was not Engen’s first love.

“I watched Kerri Strug win the gold medal and I decided then that was going to be me someday,” says Engen. “It’s kind of ironic that I went to the Olympics in a different sport, but I wanted to be a gymnast. I was 5-foot-7 in the third grade so it wasn’t going to work out.”

Engen, with the help of her parents, came up with a Plan B if soccer didn’t work out. She graduated with a degree in political science from North Carolina and was named to the Dean’s List five times. She still has aspirations to attend law school after her soccer career. “Laws are things that are black and white, yet there’s a lot of gray in the field too.

The lawyers come in because there are interpretations.”

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In 2012 Engen joined Swedish team Tyresö FF on loan, playing seven games with six starts while scoring one goal with one assist in Damallsvenskan.

She signed with the Western New York Flash and played a key role in helping the team to the WPS regular season title and the WPS championship in its first year of existence. She played in 17 of the team’s 18 regular season matches and led the Flash in minutes played with 1,530.

In a 2013 season that ran from March to October, Engen marshalled a Liverpool Ladies defense that helped the club win the FA Women’s Super League on the last weekend of the season, holding off Bristol Academy to finish four points clear and break Arsenal’s 10year stronghold atop English women’s soccer. She started and played in 20 of Liverpool’s 21 games (she missed one due to WNT duty) and scored once.

Also in 2013, she had a memorable run with the USWNT, playing in eight games at center back while starting seven and scoring her first international goal on March 8 against China PR at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. She took another big step forward with the USWNT in her third year when she logged 1,051 minutes in 13 games while starting 11 and scored twice.

In 2014, Engen scored two goals with the USWNT. She found the net against Mexico on a header off a corner kick that was assisted by childhood friend and youth soccer teammate Christen Press. She also found the back of the net against Guatemala on a header from a set play in the opening match of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, where she helped the USA secure its berth to the Women’s World Cup.

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Engen played US Youth Soccer club for the PV Breakers – along with Christen Press for several seasons – later acquired by the Slammers FC of Newport Beach. The team won back-to-back US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships in 2004 and 2005.

She took part in two US Youth Soccer National Championships with the Slammers, taking second in 2004 and third in 2005. She also won two US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships with the Cal South 1986 State Team.

Her club experience didn’t exactly get off to a flying start.

“I never saw the field on my first club team, and it was frustrating,” she said. “I thought at that time it wasn’t for me. Ironically enough, Christen Press’ father ran into my parents and told them they needed a player for a tournament that weekend.”

She said her club experience was “crucial” in her development on and off the field.

“I was lucky enough to play for a team with some really good players,” she said.

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“I attribute a lot of my success to my [US Youth Soccer] club team and the opportunities they provided for me.”

Whitney Engen Getty Images

hitney Engen can feel the pain of any young player who loves the game of soccer but lacks confidence to achieve his or her goals.

“I cannot stress positive self-talk enough,” she says. “It’s given me the greatest gain in my soccer game.”

Engen says she comes up with little mantras for herself – sort of a personal pep talk.

“There are days I don’t want to work or just tough days, and that’s when you have to focus on the things you want to achieve and why you can achieve them.

It’s amazing how the body will follow the mind.

“For any young player who doesn’t think they can achieve what they want, they won’t achieve it until they change their mindset. You have to talk to yourself and tell yourself you can do something and the body will follow.”

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Abu Danladi The Prince of L.A.

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Abu Danladi Don Liebig & Scott Chandler, UCLA Photography

CLA junior striker Abu Danladi is considered one of the top college players in the country after helping lead the Bruins to the NCAA championship game two years ago with a team-high seven postseason points.

Last year as a sophomore, Danladi was named to the First Team All-Pac-12 and Second Team Top Drawer Soccer Best XI after making 17 starts at striker and posting six goals and a team-best 10 assists.

The Takoradi, Ghana native was one of four UCLA players to record 20 or more points and posted a stretch of six consecutive games with a goal or an assist.

He was 2013-14 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year at Dunn High School (Los Olivos, Calif.) and led Santa Barbara SC White (CA-S) to the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championship title while being named to the National

Championships Best XI team.

Danladi is a graduate of Ghana’s Right to Dream program, which helps young men from Ghana further their education with opportunities in the United States and other countries.

You came to the United States when you were 15 years old.

What was that transition like?

“It was very different. I had never left my family before and that was the hardest part. Most of the people who come here have their family with them or have family already here and I didn’t. I came here by myself so that was hard.”

What were your reasons for coming to the United States?

“The dedication here is much higher than it is in Ghana. I was offered this opportunity through Right to Dream and it was a good opportunity for me to further my education and play soccer the game I love. It was the perfect

combination for me. The education part of it was very important to me.

And it is still very important to me.”

How did you adjust to life in California?

“My host family was great and they have helped a lot getting me used to living here. My guardian through the Right to Dream program was always there for me when I needed help. They helped me survive and feel comfortable.”

How are you enjoying life as a UCLA Bruin?

“It’s been great. I am heading into my third year and have gotten the chance to play with a good group of guys and very talented soccer players.”

You and the team also had some success?

“Yeah, my freshman year we made it to the finals but didn’t win.

Last year we didn’t do as well and this year I am just looking forward to building the team back up.”

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The Right to Dream Academy exists to discover and nurture role models. The organization provides young, talented Africans with the opportunity to fulfil their potential and the capacity to claim a better future for their communities and country. Fellow Right to Dream graduate and Georgetown University defender Joshua Yaro was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 MLS draft by the Philadelphia Union.

Danladi had an impressive showing during UCLA’s postseason run while a freshman in 2014. He assisted on the overtime game-winning goal to defeat San Diego in the NCAA Tournament second round and then assisted on the first goal in the third-round win over Cal. Danladi had a goal and two assists in the

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Honors started rolling in before the first ball was even kicked on the 2016 season. For the seventh straight season, UCLA was selected by the Pac12 Conference men’s soccer coaches as the preseason favorite to win the 2016 regular season.

Five Bruins, including Danladi, were selected to the 11-man preseason allconference team. UCLA will be seeking the ninth Pac-12 Conference title in program history and seventh during head coach Jorge Salcedo’s 13-year tenure.

Danladi may have left his country to study and play soccer in the United States, but that doesn’t change one of his lifelong dreams. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the Ghana National Team,” he said. “Ghana has a good team and the coach keeps giving young players a chance which is good to see.” And what about the US National Team? Danladi is on a student visa and wouldn’t be eligible for the US team.

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Danladi, who came to the United States in 2011, was 2013-2014 Gatorade National Player of the Year after scoring 25 goals in his senior year at Dunn High School in Los Olivos, Calif. He played three varsity seasons at Dunn HS. He also played US Youth Soccer soccer at Santa Barbara Soccer Club during his high school years and led the team to a US Youth Soccer 2014 Region IV and National Championship.

He was named to the 2014 National Championships Best XI team.

“We had some really good players on that team and some guys with a real passion for the game,” he said. “We competed really hard every game.

“I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything,” he said. “I had a really good time and it was a great experience with great players on and off the field. And we had a really good coach who helped me improve as a player and as a person.”

Danladi continues to draw from his experience playing US Youth Soccer as he prepares for a potential professional career after UCLA.

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quarterfinal win over North Carolina and then assisted on the second goal during a semifinal win over Providence.

In 2014, Danladi was Top Drawer Soccer Freshman of the Year and First Team Soccer America AllFreshman selection. Because of a hamstring injury, he appeared in only 12 games, making nine starts at striker for a total of 821 minutes. He had five goals and a team-high tying six assists (16 points) on the season.

Danladi is one of 30 men’s NCAA Division I soccer players named to the Missouri Athletic Club’s (MAC) Hermann Trophy watch list. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer presented annually to one male and female athlete. Former UCLA midfielder Leo Stolz captured the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2014, becoming the third Bruin to be named National Player of the Year.

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“When I was in Ghana, I wasn’t able to go to school every day. I have that opportunity here, and I’m not going to pass that up.”

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Abu Danladi Don Liebig & Scott Chandler, UCLA Photography

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anladi has a power tip of a different kind and it’s about looking at the big picture in life and going with his instinct. It’s about education and priorities and making the right decision at the right time. It’s not always about the money.

Heading into the 2016 MLS Draft, Danladi was the highest-rated forward and a certain first-round draft pick and more than likely a top-five overall pick.

“I’ve always made decisions by going with my gut,” he said. “When I was in Ghana, I wasn’t able to go to school every day. I have that opportunity here and I’m not going to pass that up. Education is very important to me.

I want to earn my degree and at the same time play the game I love.”

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FA C ES OF THE G A M E : w o m e n ’ s c o l l e g e

Rose Lavelle A US Youth Soccer Player Made Good

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Rose Lavelle Wisconsin Athletics

ose Lavelle continues to bloom for the Wisconsin Badgers. She was Big Ten Freshman of the Year during her rookie season in college soccer and hasn’t stopped kicking her way up the ladder of the top young players in the country.

A First-Team All-Great Lakes Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as a junior, Lavelle became the first player in program history to be named Big Ten Midfielder of the Year.

The only unanimous selection last year, Lavelle earned FirstTeam All-Big Ten recognition for the third-straight year in her career.

Lavelle led Wisconsin to its first Big Ten regular season championship since 1994, leading all Badgers with 17 points on a team-high seven

goals and three assists.

Lavelle, 21, was a standout US Youth Soccer player for five years with the Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club (OH-S), a program she joined in eighth grade and stayed with through high school. She played US Youth Soccer ODP, National Championship Series and National League.

Who was your first club team?

“I was with a club team early on and then in eighth grade I switched to the Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club, and played with them through high school.”

What was playing club soccer like, and what did you take from that experience?

“The first tournament we traveled to was the Disney Showcase and that was so much fun. Club soccer was a very competitive environment and

we had some awesome players on our team. It was the first time I had ever played center midfield and I had no clue what I was doing. Now I can’t imagine playing anywhere else.”

How are you approaching your final season at Wisconsin?

“My main goal is to not leave with any regrets. I don’t want to walk off the field for the last time and think of things I should have done. I want to leave it all on the field and give it my all every game.”

To what do you attribute your great success over your first three years with the Badgers?

“The coaching staff has been awesome. They understand our schedules and work with us to make things as easy as possible and get the most out of us. They are helping me get to where I want to be and not just here.”

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Lavelle was a four-year varsity performer at Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati. She was named Cincinnati Player of the Year by The Cincinnati Enquirer during her senior season and also earned the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Sports Woman of the Year award in 2013. She finished her career as school’s all-time leading goal scorer with 57 goals.

The last few years have been quite the ride for the 21-year-old Ohio native. In 2014, she was awarded the Golden Ball at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, given to tournament’s top player and was finalist for the 2014 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year award. She helped lead the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team to win the 2015

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Four Nations Tournament in Norway.

Lavelle was called up to train and participate with the full USWNT for the final four matches of its Victory Tour in December 2015. She also trained with the full USWNT on two separate occasions in 2016. “They are the best in the world for a reason and it was great to see what it takes to get to that level,” Lavelle said.

Lavelle said playing with the full National Team was an “honor,” and a chance to prove herself on the biggest stage. At some point her attitude changed from admiration to competition. “It’s such a special moment when you meet them and see them but once you step on the field the competitive side takes over and you focus on why you are there,” Lavelle said.

Lavelle’s junior year at Wisconsin ended with a trophy case of awards

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and honors. She was NSCAA First Team All-American and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team after being named Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and First-Team All-Big Ten. She started in 19 matches and tallied a team-leading 17 points with seven goals and three assists. She also led the team with 78 shots and 33 shots on goal.

Last season Lavelle was the No. 2 ranked player in college soccer according to Top Drawer Soccer. UW coach Paula Wilkins, who has coached several elite players at the collegiate and national level, said Lavelle ranks in the top five of most-skilled players under her tutelage. She said the coaching staff has always asked Lavelle for more, and Lavelle has responded by providing urgency and taking responsibility for the team’s performance.

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College Soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy is the Missouri Athletic Club’s (MAC) Hermann Trophy, presented annually to the top male and female collegiate soccer players in the country. The top three finalists, their coaches and families are invited to St. Louis the second weekend of January for the awards banquet.

And some of the biggest names in American soccer history have won the award prior to going on to international stardom – including Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Claudio Reyna, Alexi Lalas and Tony Meola.

For the second year in a row, Wisconsin’s Rose Lavelle has earned her way onto the Hermann Trophy watch list.

Lavelle, a 2016 first-team AllAmerican, was named one of 15 semifinalists for last year’s MAC Hermann Trophy, becoming just the second player in school history to be named a semifinalist for collegiate soccer’s most prestigious individual award.

The lists are compiled by the NSCAA Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I AllAmerica Committees.

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“Sometimes you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable and that might mean going to a team that is going to challenge you.”

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Rose Lavelle Wisconsin Athletics

ose Lavelle was a standout player for five years with the Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club, a program she joined in eighth grade and stayed with through high school.

Lavelle has some sound advice for players looking to find that right club team.

“Sometimes you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and that might mean going to a team that is going to challenge you more than the team you are on at the moment,” she said. “In the end it will make you a better player.”

It all comes down to the goals you set in club soccer.

“You have to find the right fit,” Lavelle says. “You also have to understand what your own commitment level is going to be and find the right place that is going to make you happy, challenge you and make you the best player you can be.”

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BUILDING A NATIONAL CHAMPION Serpone shares recruiting tips for potential Division 3 student-athletes

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ustin Serpone led the Amherst College men’s soccer team to the first NCAA Division 3 national championship in program history last fall. The 10th-year head coach has led Amherst to New England Small Colleges Athletic Conference titles in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

How does the recruiting process differ for a Division 3 school compared to Division 1?

“I think there are 405 Division 3 teams, and it’s a pretty broad spectrum of what recruiting looks like. There are teams at the top of the heap that recruit a lot like a Division 1 school. There are others that

wait until players are seniors in high school, and they start the recruiting process once they see what the admissions look like for the following year. It’s difficult to paint a broad picture.

If you want to think about it in terms of a calendar, we typically get through recruiting for the 2017 season before the start of the 2016 season. Then we pick up on the 2018 recruits in January after our season is completed. Maybe that’s not much different than Division 1.

That’s not necessarily common in Division 3. We’re recruiting Division 1 kids, so we’re on that timetable. In the big picture, it’s good for players to start thinking

Justin Serpone led the Amherst College men’s soccer team to the first NCAA Division 3 national championship in school history in 2016. Amherst Athletics

about the process in the spring of their junior year. That winter or spring, they can start taking tests and contacting coaches.”

Do you invite recruits to camps on the Amherst campus?

“That’s really important for us. We run development camps at Amherst with a mix of Division 1 and Division 3

coaches. A lot of Division 3 coaches work camps now.

By the end of the camp, we’ll identify maybe five or six of the nine or 10 recruits – based solely on their performance at that camp. That’s what we use to make decisions on kids. You see the kids on the field, and you get to see their

personalities.”

What can you offer a recruit to get him to commit in lieu of the fact that Division 3 schools don’t have athletic scholarship money?

“It really depends on the school and what your admission setup is. There are typically ways, even though Division 3

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schools don’t have scholarships.

Academic support is the real card to play. If you’re looking at MIT, for example, maybe the coach can support your application in the admissions process. You can star the application and say it’s a good soccer player who will help the team. That’s the currency. It’s certainly not as aggressive as Division 1 where coaches might say you have to let them know within 24 hours.”

How do you ensure that the recruits are fit when they arrive on the Amherst campus as freshmen?

“I’m somebody who believes that when college starts, it’s a great time in your life. But so is being a senior in high school.

I want incoming recruits to be present with their high school experiences. Sometimes, we get so jazzed up about training, working out, and making the kids lift. You have to be fit if

you want to compete in the beginning of the season. But we try to be hands-off and let it happen organically. Fitness is the foundation every player needs.

If you’re not recruiting kids that want to be fit, you’re recruiting the wrong kids. We’re allowed to send out running packets and training packets, but it’s less cutthroat than Division 1.”

How does the Division 3 commitment differ from Division 1 in terms of in-season time and length of season?

“In Division 3, there’s a different piece to the puzzle. The NESCAC is more restrictive than other D3 schools, almost like the Ivy League schools in Division 1. The biggest difference is the spring season. In the fall, everybody is allowed to do the same stuff.

We practice or play six days a week. That consists of a couple hours per practice and an 18game season in two months. The experience in D3 is very similar in

Amherst College coach Justin Serpone

the fall. Maybe we travel a little less. In the spring, they have opportunities to do other things because the rules are more restrictive. That’s where you see the contrast. The preseason is also a little shorter – maybe by a few weeks – compared to D1.”

Do you monitor your recruits on social media?

“Every coach has a story about researching a kid on social media and pumping the breaks or realizing this is a really great guy. In terms of what kids put on the accounts, we want to know what they’re like as people.

What’s undervalued is how much personality and character plays into what you want as part

of your program. Are they going to add to the culture? Good kids produce winning teams. You also want people who make good decisions. I would imagine every coach now is looking at kids’ social media accounts.

That’s due diligence. You have to be cognizant as a player of how you’re branding yourself.”

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Q & A w i t h C o l l e g e C oac h

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ROAR BACK

US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program

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In Her Words: Q&A with a UNC Commit

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By Dan Guttenplan

U

niversity of North Carolina commit Maggie Pierce played for North Carolina 00 at the US Youth Soccer ODP Championships in March. She reflects on her experience playing US Youth Soccer ODP. How many years have you done ODP? “This is my third season in ODP, and I hope to participate next year as well because I have really enjoyed the experience.”

What has been your favorite part of ODP? “The best part is meeting

the girls from other clubs and other states. We know our club players really well because we see them almost every day, but it is interesting to learn about some good players from other areas. I think I have met girls from over 30 states at the events in Florida, Arizona, Alabama, Virginia and Georgia.

I met Anu Kane at US Youth Soccer ODP National Camp in Florida when she was living in Hawaii and representing that region, and she ended up moving to this area. Now we are on the same club team!”

How do you balance your

Maggie Pierce played for North Carolina 00 in the US Youth Soccer ODP Championships.

club commitments and ODP? “That is tough to do. Except for some of the ODP National Events, the club games have to take priority, so I end up

missing some of the ODP training and some of the events. I am also playing high school soccer, so this spring there has been even more

balancing. As long as you communicate when you will miss events and work hard when you can attend, you can get a lot out of ODP.”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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What have you thought of the coaching at ODP? “I mentioned meeting girls from other clubs, but another nice part of ODP is to meet and be coached by coaches from other clubs or from colleges.

The ODP coaches will do things differently from how the club or high school coaches approach training and games, so you can learn some new drills or learn new positions. I usually play center back on my club team, but in the ODP Championships this year coach Paul (Cairney) moved me up to center forward against the Cal South 00 team for most of the second half, so I learned a lot from playing the new position against some of the best players from California.

Another nice thing about ODP is you can develop relationships with new coaches. I have stayed in contact with my ODP coaches like coach Reid (Clewis) and coaches Chris (White, Shaw

and Ayer) and coach Steve (Springthorpe) and I have seen them at other events like college IDs or camps and say hello.”

You are committed to play at UNC. Why do you still do ODP? “The UNC coaches talk about how important it is to learn to play different positions, and to play against top players, and to be adaptable. At ODP you get all of that. I have played four or five different positions at ODP, and played against a lot of girls who have been to US Soccer National Camp during the events like the ODP Subregionals and Region Camp, ODP National Camp and ODP Championships. In the first part I am heading a ball out of the box while tracking back while playing center back, You also have to be adaptable because you might play one formation and style with your club team, and another with your high

school team, and then you show up at ODP and get to figure out another formation and approach.”

What is next for you and ODP? “We just finished the Region III camp in Alabama, and that was my third year attending with NC. I made the Region III Pool, and I would like to be selected for ODP National Camp (that was in Florida two years ago and Arizona last year and about 20 girls from each region attend).

I’d also like to be selected again to play on the Region III Interregional team to play against the top teams from the other three regions. I was chosen last year but had to decline due to some club games, but that is a fun event, and next year my age group will also be able to travel overseas for some games. I also hope my North Carolina 01 team is selected to represent Region III in the ODP Championships next

year. Our North Carolina 00 team lost 1-0 in the championships to California this year, so I’d like to go with the North Carolina 01 team and avenge that loss!”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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+ +Freestyle goals and celebrations

US Youth Soccer Alum and World Freestyle Champion Indi Cowie displays some creative freestyle goals and celebrations for her latest trick shot video. For more on Cowie, check out the US Youth Soccer TV feature on her.

CLICK HERE

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s o cc e r t r i c k s

Nike Magista Obra Elite Pack Boot The Nike Magista Obra 2016-2017 Elite Pack

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football boot is the third colorway of the second-gen

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Nike Mercurial Superfly V Elite Pack Boot The Nike Mercurial 2016-2017 Elite Pack cleat

Magista. The Pure Platinum Nike Magista Obra

fades from light grey in the forefoot area to dark

2016-2017 Elite Pack Edition will stand out on the

grey in the rear area. Nike combines the silver

pitch worn by such popular players as Borussia

upper with a contrasting black Swoosh and a Ghost

Dortmund’s Mario Götze. Logically, Nike will also

Green outsole.

release a low-cut version of the boots, the Nike

MSRP: $300 BUY

Magista Opus.

MSRP: $300 BUY

Elite Pack Nike Tiempo Legend 6 Boot The most classical boot of the collection also

Nike Hypervenom Elite Pack Boots Combining a mainly Pure Platinum with black,

features the least outstanding design. The Elite

Ghost Green and Hyper Turquoise, the Pure

Pack Nike Tiempo Legend 6 2016-2017 soccer Boot

Platinum Nike Hypervenom 2016-2017 soccer cleats

is also the only boot that uses just three colors: Pure

boast a spectacular sole plate design to stand out on

Platinum, Black and Hyper Turquoise, and no Ghost

the pitch.

Green.

MSRP: $170 BUY

MSRP: $210 BUY

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

ne w produc ts

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+ +2016 USWNT national championship memories Members of the 2016 U.S. Women’s National Team reflect on their days playing US Youth Soccer.

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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u s y o u t h s o cc e r t v

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+ +2016 US Youth Soccer National championship finals Champions were crowned at the 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships played July 26-31 in Frisco, Texas.

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u s y o u t h s o cc e r t v

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power recipes

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Directions

+Magic + Wheel +Pasta + Salad

+Tricolor + Salad +Pizzas +

Ingredients

Ingredients

+ + 6 ounces wagon wheel pasta + + 1 heaping cup very small broccoli florets + + 1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen + + 1 small garlic clove, minced + + 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar + + 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil + + 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper + + 2 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded + + 2 ounces thick-sliced ham, cut into small cubes + + 1 scant cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions.

About 30 seconds before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets and corn kernels. Cook for 30 seconds and then drain into a colander. Run cold water over the pasta to stop the cooking. Keep the pasta draining in the colander while you make the dressing. Whisk together the garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Add the well-drained pasta, broccoli, and corn to the bowl, along with the ham, cheese, tomatoes and parsley.

+ + Cooking spray + + 1 ounce parmesan cheese (1/3 cup grated) + + 2 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese + + 3/4 pound store-bought wholewheat pizza dough, at room temperature Directions + + 1 tablespoon cornmeal Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Spray + + 3 tablespoons extra-virgin two baking sheets with cooking spray. olive oil Finely grate the parmesan and thinly + + 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese slice the mozzarella. Cut the pizza dough + + Freshly ground pepper into four pieces. Sprinkle a work surface + + 1 small head radicchio with the cornmeal and use a rolling pin + + 2 heads endive and/or your hands to stretch each piece + + 1 cup grape tomatoes of dough into a rectangle about 5 by 11 + + 4 cups baby arugula inches; place two rectangles on each + + 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar baking sheet. Brush the dough with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then distribute 4 tablespoon-size dollops of the ricotta onto each rectangle. Scatter with the mozzarella slices, then sprinkle evenly with the grated parmesan and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bake until the cheese is melted and the dough is browned, about 12 minutes. While the pizzas are cooking, thinly slice the radicchio and endive and halve the tomatoes.

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quick meals

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The next time a parent asks you the age-old question, “What do you want for dinner?” throw one of these recipes back at ’em. Both you and your body will love them!

++Spaghetti with Wilted Greens and Walnut-Parsley Pesto + + 1 (1-pound) box whole-wheat spaghetti + + 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil + + 1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped + + 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest + + 1 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley + + 6 large eggs + + 1/2 cup packed fresh baby spinach + + Calories per serving: 439 + + 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted + + 1 small clove garlic, peeled and chopped ++Burger with Mushrooms and Radicchio + + 1 tablespoon olive oil + + 4 (2-ounce) whole-wheat hamburger + + 1 pound mixed exotic mushrooms, buns, split trimmed + + 1 small head radicchio, sliced into + + 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt thin rings + + 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black + + Calories per serving: 473 pepper, divided + + 1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin ++Brown Rice Bowl with Turkey + + 1 1/3 cups dry short-grain brown rice + + 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided + + 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided + + 1 (2-pound) bone-in turkey breast + + 1 tablespoon olive oil + + 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black

pepper + + 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, divided + + 4 cups baby spinach + + 1 bunch scallions, chopped + + 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil + + Calories per serving: 486

++Sweet Potato and Spinach Quesadillas + + 2 medium sweet potatoes (1 pound total) + + 1 cup red-wine vinegar + + 1/2 cup sugar + + 4 black peppercorns + + 1 large red onion, sliced + + 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

+ + 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + + 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas + + 5 cups baby spinach (about 4 ounces) + + 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella + + 4 teaspoons olive oil + + Calories per serving: 391

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dinner time

nutrition

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H

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ealthy eating is very important for everyone, especially athletes. Summer is over for school-aged soccer players. That means it’s back to things like bus rides, classes, practices and packing healthy snacks in backpacks. Athletes love grazing, which is fine as long as it’s done in a healthy way. Think fruits, vegetables, and some type of protein to get you through until the next meal. Pre-packaged snacks are convenient but more costly.

The Everyday Lineup Not all foods are created equal.

Listed below are winners and losers when it comes to fueling your body for soccer.

Coaching Healthy Habits

D

id you know that there are three simple things you can do to help your players stay healthy and perform their best?

Learn how you can encourage players to Drink Right, Move More and Snack Smart in the Coaching Healthy Habits course, developed by US Youth Soccer and Healthy Kids Out of School. In two brief chapters, you’ll learn about basic nutrition and physical activity for young athletes and find practical tips to implement these healthy principles at your trainings and matches.

online course

++Health snacks ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Nut Butter Packets Mixed Nuts Edamame Dried Plums Celery Apricots Strawberries Pumpkin Seeds Greek Yogurt Cottage Cheese Jerky Kale Chips

++unHealthy snacks ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Fast Food Iced Tea Microwavable Popcorn Fast Food Chicken Nuggets Fruit Juice Candy Sugary Cereal Processed Meats Deep Fried Foods Frozen Entrees Chinese Food Restaurant Dessert Energy Drinks

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

Grab and Go Snacks

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A

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true athlete understands what it means to not just work, but work harder; not just set goals, but surpass them; not just seek improvement, but demand it; and not just dream, but dream a champion’s dream.

A true athlete understands he or she will tackle every challenge headon, every day. Athletes don’t take days off. A true athlete is always ready – physically, mentally and emotionally. The body can’t get what the heart doesn’t want. A true athlete understands that in order to perform, he or she must have prepared day in and day out to seize the moment. It’s all about blood, sweat and tears.

To discover if you are a true athlete, we introduce you to some individuals who have a story to share. Once you’ve read their stories, ask yourself: Are You Ready?

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

a r e yo u r e a dy ?

are you DISCIPLINED?

By Terry Jacoby

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rody Kraussel helped lead Loyola University Chicago to its first double-digit win season in seven years last fall. The junior outside midfielder was also selected as the representative of Loyola for the Missouri Valley Conference’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Kraussel started in 18 games, and his first collegiate goal was a game-winner against city-rival DePaul. He finished the year with 26 shots, 10 of which were on goal.

In 2014, he started in 16 of the 19

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++bio box

++Player: Brody Kraussel

++Team: Loyola University Chicago ++Position: Outside Midfielder ++US Youth Soccer Team: ++SC Waukesha (WI)

games that he appeared in and was a Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team selection after leading the club with five assists.

Kraussel played on the club level for SC Waukesha (WI), helping the team to a third-place finish at the United States Youth Soccer National Championships in 2013. He was selected to the 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships Best XI. SC Waukesha also made the US Youth Soccer 2013 Region II Finals.

Six players, including Kraussel, went on to play soccer at the Division I level.

“Playing club soccer shaped me as not only a player, but also a student and a person,” he says.

“Club soccer taught me to always be prepared, focused, express my talents, and to always be disciplined. These are all core values to myself and values that SC Waukesha has continued to push onto their players for a while now, and values that are transparent to soccer and life.”

Kraussel was was nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year in 2013 after helping Muskego High to a Division I Wisconsin State Championship.

Mental game: “Being disciplined is having a strong mentality and a will to perform the undesirable tasks that not many other athletes want to do.”

Team discipline: “Rather than one disciplined player, there needs to be a disciplined team.

That means that everyone is held accountable.”

Keys to BEING DISCIPLINED Preparation: “Being a disciplined player means showing up to each training session and workout prepared mentally and physically.”

The details: “Focus on things such as not hitting the snooze button, or remembering to eat a good sized breakfast, or going to bed at a reasonable time.”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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K e y s to B EI N G m en ta lly to u g h

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are you MENTALLY TOUGH?

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By terry jacoby

A

lexis ‘Lexie’ Cano can’t hear the referee’s whistle or the roar of the crowd, but she can see the smiles and understand the joy she has brought to her teammates, family, fans and country.

Cano, of Riverview, Mich., was a starting outside fullback for the United States Deaf Women’s National Team (USDWNT), helping the red, white and blue win their 29th consecutive match July 2 over Russia to win the Deaf World Cup in Italy. The 21-year-old Cano finished with three assists from her defensive position.

“I’ve come a long way with learning to embrace my hearing

and it took me a long time to realize that,” she said. “These girls are my best friends. They get it.

They understand. No one is left out.”

The USDWNT maintained its perfect record in world competition, improving to 29-0 with 147 goals and only 10 goals against.

“That moment was just pure joy,” said Cano of beating Russia in the finals. “We were all jumping up and down and hugging and laughing. I was overwhelmed with emotions.”

After attending and playing soccer at Schoolcraft College in Michigan, Cano transferred to Lourdes University, a small, private college in Sylvania, Ohio.

“My future plans are to figure

out what kind of nurse I want to be and to finish the right nursing program,” Cano said.

She played US Youth Soccer for the Michigan Rush (MI) before playing two seasons with the Canton Celtics (MI).

++bio box

++Name: Alexis “Lexie” Cano

++College: Lourdes University ++Position: Defense ++US Youth Soccer Team: ++Michigan Rush (MI)

Getting better: “It means being able to take criticism and using it to better yourself - not getting upset and giving up.”

Going the extra mile: “Being mentally tough means doing things you might not necessarily want to do – like run that extra mile – but you know it’ll only help you.”

Good advice: “My advice would be to remember that your mind will give up before your body. I usually chant that to myself when I feel like giving up.”

Toughness: “I’ve had players, even my own teammates, make unnecessary comments about my hearing before and while it might sting, I only use it to add fuel to the fire.”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

a r e yo u r e a dy ?

are you a team player?

By terry jacoby

C

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hristian Sakshaug made a quick impression during his first year at Trinity University. The central midfielder was selected as the 2015 SCAC Newcomer of the Year in a vote by the league’s coaches.

Sakshaug, a first-year standout from San Antonio, started every game at center midfield and was the Tigers’ points leader (25), with the most assists (seven) and the second-most goals (nine). Two of his nine goals were

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++bio box

++Player: Christian Sakshaug ++Team: Trinity University ++Position: Central Midfield ++US Youth Soccer Team: ++Far Post Premier (VT)

K e y s t o a t e a m pl a y e r Know your role: Sakshaug says understanding how the pieces fit in the puzzle helps lead to success. Players need to know their roles do what they are expected to do.

Forget the stats: “It’s important to play as a team as a whole rather than trying to play for yourself and letting your personal desires get in the way.”

game-winners for the Tigers, who went 22-3-0, won their 18th SCAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Playoffs for the 19th time.

“The goal for every season is to win the national championship,” he said. “My goals are to play as long as possible at the highest level I can achieve.”

Sakshaug played US Youth Soccer for Far Post Premier (VT) and was a two-time US Youth Soccer Vermont State Cup champion (2010, 2011).

“I played on many different club soccer teams throughout

my youth career,” he said.

“At the top of the list of achievements would be the two state championships in Vermont.”

He credits his club soccer experience for a good part of his success.

“Club soccer allowed for me to play with and against different players that have different styles and abilities,” Sakshaug said. “I had a chance to learn from that and add things to my own game.

I was fortunate to have many great club coaches that guided me to be the player I am now.”

Be realistic: “Be realistic about your role on the team and realize what kind of player the team needs you to be. Don’t get carried away by your ego.”

Be versatile: “There are all kinds of roles that are needed in a team and if all those roles are being fulfilled then the team can be successful.”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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Keys to BEING a team leader

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are you a team leader?

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By terry jacoby

I

t’s only fitting that Mimi Rangel’s US Youth Soccer team was the Legends. The senior is becoming quite a legend of her own at Long Beach State.

The midfielder/forward is already among the top 10 alltime in the career record books at LBSU with 15 assists..

Rangel earned First-Team All-Big West and Second-Team NSCAA All-West Region honors last year after starting 21 of 22 games played. The then-junior finished with two goals, five assists and 31 shots.

As a sophomore, Rangel was named the Big West Midfielder

of the Year. In 2013, she was named Big West Freshman of the Year.

She played 10 seasons of US Youth Soccer for Legends FC (CA-S) out of Chino, Calif., and helped her squad to back-toback US Youth Soccer National League division titles. She also competed in the US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014, earning selection to the Best XI all three seasons.

“Club soccer meant everything to me as far as my development goes,” she said. “I was privileged to have been coached by Josh Hodges throughout my club career and he has helped shaped me to be the player I am

“Without club soccer, this opportunity to be playing at Cal State Long Beach would not be possible so I am truly grateful for club soccer and the opportunities it has given me.”

++bio box

++Name: Mimi Rangel

++Team: Long Beach State ++Position: Midfield ++US Youth Soccer Team: ++Legends FC (CA-S)

Positive influence: “Being a team leader is a positive person who can push their teammates to be better players.”

A player to count on: “A team leader is someone who provides motivation and can lift the team up during tough times and be that light when things are going wrong.”

Connection: “You need to connect with and get along with everyone on your team and be someone who genuinely wants to get to know every member in some personal way.”

Passion play: “I think I am privileged with being looked at as a leader because of my passion for the game. It drives me to play my heart out.”

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

a r e yo u r e a dy ?

are you balanced?

By terry jacoby

A

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fter an impressive freshman season at Cal State Fullerton, Ronaldo Pineda was rewarded with a special honor for his sophomore season before the first ball was kicked.

Pineda was named to the Big West Preseason All-Conference Team while his club was selected as the favorite to capture the Big West South Division. Neither honor was surprising. The Titans are backto-back Big West Tournament

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++bio box

++Name: Ronaldo Pineda

++School: Cal State Fullerton ++Position: Midfield ++US Youth Soccer Team: ++Fuller Rangers (CA-S)

champions and Pineda was one of the top players in the league during his rookie year.

The Titans are coming off a historic season in 2015 when they collected 13 wins (most since 2000), won their secondstraight Big West Tournament title and made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 21 years.

Pineda received Big West Honorable Mention honors as well as a selection to the conference’s All-Freshman team.

The Santa Ana, Calif., native

has developed into one of the premier midfielders in the Big West and is expected to be an important piece for the Titans over the next three years.

Pineda played club soccer for 10 years with the Fullerton Rangers (CA-S), who won US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2011 and 2012. It was a time and experience he will never forget.

“Nothing was given to me and I will never take the easy way out,” he said. “Many players left for free gear and better teams, but I learned that with heart anything is possible.”

Eyes wide open: “Always learn from others around you and improve your game for the team -- both in the classroom and on the field.”

Balanced way of life: “When you love something, you do whatever it takes to stay happy.

I maintain my fitness level and field work as well as my GPA.”

K e y s t o B E I N G b a l a nc e d Professional approach: Pineda acts the part. “It could mean many things, but for me it’s about being professional on and off the field.”

Sound advice: Pineda is willing to share his approach to the game he loves. He suggests “visualizing and experimenting” as a way to grow.

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

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find the 10 differences in the photos below

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Answers on page 69

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D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

f u n pag e s : w h at ’ s t h e d i f f E r e n c e ?

name that MLS all star player?

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

S E P T E M B E R

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1. Didier Drogba _

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2. Andre Blake _ 3. Keegan Rosenberry _ 4. Jelle Van Damme _ 5. Laurent Ciman _ 6. Kellyn Acosta _ 7. Andrea Pirlo _ 8. Kyle Beckerman _ 9. Giovani dos Santos _ 10. Kaká _ 11. David Villa _ Answers on page 69

i.

j.

k.

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

FUN PA G ES : n a m e t h a t p l a y e r

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original artwork

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67 D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R �

S E P T E M B E R

f u n pag e s : c o l o r pag e

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coloring page

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68 D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R �

S E P T E M B E R

f u n pag e s : c o l o r i n g pag e

S E P T E M B E R

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name that mls all-star player

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1. Didier Drogba d. _ 2. Andre Blake h. _ 3. Keegan Rosenberry _i.

4. Jelle Van Damme b. _ 5. Laurent Ciman f._ 6. Kellyn Acosta _g.

7. Andrea Pirlo _c.

8. Kyle Beckerman _k.

9. Giovani dos Santos _j.

10. Kaká _a.

11. David Villa _e.

what’s the difference 3 1 7

10 6

9 8

2 5

4

1. “US” missing on tent

6. Adidas logo missing from jersey

2. “2” missing from jersey

7. Field sign logo missing

3. “A” missing from National League logo

8. Logo crest missing from jersey

4. Water bottle added 5. Sock color changed to red

9. “SOCCER” changed to yellow 10. National League patch missing

D o w n l o a d t h e F U E L S o c c e r A p p O n Y o u r D e v i c e b y S e a r c h i n g f o r “ U S Y O U T H S OCC E R ”

f u n pag e s : a n s w e r k e y

credits 9220 World Cup Way Frisco, Texas 75033 1.800.4SOCCER USYouthSoccer.org

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Managing editor: brad grim Graphic Design/Advertising: Liz Moseley Editorial contributors: Susan Hersey, Molly Freitag, Brad Grim, Ryan Loy, Steve Prince, JoEllen Deleon

S E P T E M B E R

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