GrindTV: Soccer opens up a whole new world for this yuma

 
Here is a great story revolving around soccer and an American's experience with a soccer ball in Cuba.

Read Full Story Here: Soccer opens up a whole new world for this yuma

USMNT Goalkeeper Tim Howard shows off new Tattoos

If you are a fan of soccer/futbol than you have surely seen the increased trend of most of your favorite players sporting tattoos.

Click to see: Famous Soccer Tattoos 

David Beckham was most likely the first soccer player to gain recognition from his many tattoos but just like in the NBA, many soccer players around the world can be seen with tattoos covering their arms -- and in some cases even exposing multiple tattoos on their torsos when exchanging jerseys in the post match ritual.

Tim Howard is the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team and he, along with many other USMNT players, has his fair share of body art. Check out some of his newest ink that he shared via Instagram @timhow1:

Video :: Congratulations, Abby! Wambach Passes Hamm as All-Time Leading Scorer

via U.S. Soccer:

On June 20, 2013 Abby Wambach became the all-time leading socrer in international soccer, netting her 159th goal for the USA. Here's a look back at some of her most memorable highlights.

Giveaway :: Soccer Confidence: CD Program

ENTER-TO-WIN! 

VASoccerNews is giving away a copy of 'Soccer Confidence: CD and Workbook' (4 CD and Workbook Program) courtesy of Soccer Psychology Tips.

CD Program info:

A soccer specific mental training workbook and CD program designed to teach soccer players how to perform with confidence, composure, and focus in training and competition. This program is also great for coaches and parents who want to learn how help their players be mentally tough on and off the field. The program includes a workbook and 4 CD’s that will give players the tools they need to take their game to the next level. In addition, the program comes with 5 free bonus programs.

You might be the most skilled player on your team and train harder or longer than anyone else, but if self-doubt enters your mind prior to or during competition, you simply will not reach your true potential in soccer.

You are here: Home / Soccer Psychology Tips and Strategies / FAQ: “Soccer Confidence: CD and Workbook Program”

FAQ: “Soccer Confidence: CD and Workbook Program”

If you are ready to improve your mental toughness and perform with ultimate self-confidence in games, we have a program that will do just that. Your soccer mental game experts Jaki Hitzelberger, MA, MGCP and Dr. Patrick Cohn want to share with you powerful mental strategies to help you (or your team) perform your best in practice and games…

Can't wait? You can still get their FREE Ebook: Click Here

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Altidore and USMNT continue to roll through World Cup Qualifying with 1-0 win over Honduras

U.S. Men's National team forward Jozy Altidore did something that only five other American players have ever done - scoring a goal in four straight games. The others include William Looby, Eric Wynalda, Brian McBride, Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan (twice). - See more at: ussoccer.com

See the game winning goal by Altidore agianst Honduras, pretty much one of the only highlights of the match for the U.S. squad on a difficult evening in front of a lackluster Utah crowd.

UVA Midfielder Morgan Brian makes USWNT debut

Morgan Brian Makes US Women’s National Team Debut

Cavalier midfielder earns first cap in 4-1 victory over South Korea

Morgan Brian

FOXBORO, Mass. – Virginia rising junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) made her debut for the United States Women’s National Team in a 4-1 victory over South Korea Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. She became the seventh Virginia player to earn a cap with the full national team when she entered the game as a substitute in the 77th minute.

Brian is only the second Cavalier to make an appearance for the national team while still an active player for Virginia. In 1991, Amanda Cromwell earned her first cap before the start of her senior season.

Former Virginia defender Becky Sauerbrunn (Class of 2007) also played in Saturday’s game, playing the full 90 minutes as she made her 43rd appearance for the United States.

The United States Women’s National Team will return to action on Thursday, June 20, with another friendly against South Korea. That match will be played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. and will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

VIDEO :: World Cup Qualifier Preview | USMNT vs Honduras

via MLS

MLSsoccer.com has a full preview of the World Cup Qualifier showdown between USA and Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Documentary :: American Pharaoh: Bob Bradley and the Egyptian Soccer Team, the Inside Story

via Soura Films

If you are a fan of soccer, this film is a must see. Former USMNT head coach Bob Bradley is the focus of a new documentary:

Bob Bradley

An hour-long documentary by Soura Films, 2013. 

In the middle of the Egyptian revolution and in a region where American policies are not welcomed, Bob Bradley takes the job of the Manager of the Egyptian National Soccer Team. The film follows the rebuilding of Egypt towards democracy alongside Bradley's rebuilding of the team and taking Egypt to the World Cup, Brazil 2014.

The unprecedented access and the behind the scenes of Bob and Lindsay Bradley, their personal ups and downs in Egypt, the heated political situation in Egypt, and the unique coverage of the Egyptian team's camps and games, all of this make this film a must see.

Hossam Aboul-Magd, Director | Director of Photography
Charlie Stuart, Executive Producer
Sandy Petrykowski, Producer
Lesley Kubistal, Editor

Watch the Trailer after the break

10 Americans I wish played in MLS

After watching some of the best American soccer players compete in recent World Cup qualifying matches in front of huge U.S. crowds I couldn't stop myself from daydreaming about the opportunity to see some of them playing on MLS squads.

Here is a list of ten Americans I wish played in MLS. Feel free to leave your top 10 list below in the comments:

Dero hat-trick leads D.C. past Philly, United advance to Quarterfinal of U.S. Open Cup

Not much has gone right for D.C. United so far in 2013. United are currently in dead last in the MLS Eastern Conference and have only one win the entire season (1-10-3). Last night however former MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario gave fans of the Black-and-Red reason to cheer. Dero netted a hat-trick and helped D.C. defeat rival Philadelphia to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.



Washington D.C. (June 12, 2013) – D.C. United today announced that the club will host the New England Revolution in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The match will take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., on Wednesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. D.C. United advanced to the quarterfinal round by defeating the Philadelphia Union 3-1, courtesy of a Dwayne De Rosario hat trick tonight. New England claimed victory over its fourth-round opponent the New York Red Bulls by a score of 4-2.

Soccer Myths: Is 2-0 the Most Dangerous Lead in Soccer?

It is often refereed to as "The most dangerous lead in soccer", 2-0. But is this actually the case? Here is an interesting infographic created by Football Myth Busters (@fbmythbusters) that seemingly proves this myth - false!

Johnson, Altidore lead Americans past Panama into top spot in Hexagonal

Eddie Johnson made the fans of Seattle proud once again, this time scoring for the U.S. Men's National team in front of his MLS home city fans in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying match against previously undefeated Panama. The 40,847 fans at CenturyLink was the seventh largest crowd for a home FIFA World Cup Qualifier and the second largest ever for a U.S. MNT match in the Pacific Northwest.

USA soccer jersey | Centennial 2013 jersey

Eddie Johnson / Jozy Altidore U.S. Soccer Instagram Photo

• U.S. Sits atop the group in the Final Round after First Five Games for Second Time in Last Five Cycles
• U.S. improves to 3-1-1 in the Hexagonal, including three shutouts
• Jozy Altidore Scores in Third Straight Match
• U.S. MNT Continues 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying on June 18 against Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah; Game Will be Broadcast on ESPN, WatchESPN and UniMas at 7 p.m. MT

  Eddie Johnson Goal     Jozy Altidore Goal

Video :: Kickers vs Hammerheads Game Highlights

Check out highlights from the match between Richmond and Wilmington this past weekend. The Kickers kept their unbeaten streak in tact with a draw.

Seattle artist Art Chantry designs custom U.S. Soccer poster

SEATTLE (June 9, 2013) - Local Seattle artist Art Chantry has designed a game-specific poster for the U.S. Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Panama on June 11 at CenturyLink Field. 

U.S. Soccer Poster by Art Chantry

Chantry is a graphic designer based in the Northwest whose lo-fi, high contrast designs have been used by famous rock bands such as Nirvana, Hole, Gang of Four and several others. His low-tech design approach has also been showcased at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum of Modern Art, the Seattle Art Museum, the Smithsonian and the Louvre. 

The limited-edition poster will be available for purchase at the U.S. Soccer Pep Rally at Cinerama on Monday night (door open at 7:30 p.m.) and on ussoccerstore.com. There will also be a limited number of posters signed by Chantry for sale only on ussoccerstore.com.

"Having seldom executed 'sports' posters before, I realized that there was little I could do to actually compete against the standards within the genre of sports graphics," said Chantry. "So, I decided to treat the idea of a sports poster as if it were a grunge rock gig poster. All the graphic elements in the poster carry along that aged, worn feel along with a casual disregard for formal restraints."

Chantry utilized the dynamic movement of a soccer player in motion to capture a design that is literally throwing itself off the frame of the poster's edge.

"I captured that moment of impact between the kicking foot and the flying ball," said Chantry. "That split second when the world stops mid-motion, when you don't know which way it's all going to go. It can fly directly into the goal, or it can fall off the poster entirely."

Kickers draw Hamerheads, 1-1

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond Kickers kept their unbeaten streak alive, battling the Wilmington Hammerheads to a 1-1 draw Saturday night on a pair of second half goals in rapid fire succession.  Scoreless through the first half, the Kickers broke the ice on a Philippe Davies strike in the 78^th minute before conceding a Steven Perry goal thirty seconds later.

In a defensive battle riddled with set pieces, the Kickers nearly capitalized on a free kick in the 12^th minute. Dangerously positioned near the top of the 18, midfielder Nate Robinson drilled a determined strike on target, forcing Hammerheads goalkeeper Troy Hernandez to leap to tip it over the bar.

Video :: USMNT Steal 3 Points in Extra Time against Jamaica

A goal from U.S. defender Brad Evens in extra time was exactly what the Americans needed to get three important points in World Cup qualifying play.

via U.S. Soccer

Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 Trailer

Pro Evolution Soccer 2014

If you are looking for an alternative video game to the popular FIFA series you may want to check out Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.

via IGN Review:

Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 springs to life on the Fox Engine. Check out all the latest details as Konami provides more details for the latest iteration of PES.

Three Day U.S. Soccer Combine coming to D.C.

U.S. Soccer announced today plans to help uncover more youth soccer talent by bringing their Training Center Program to seven U.S. cities.

The 2013 U.S. Soccer local combine is scheduled to come to the D.C. area July 8-10.

Complete Details After the Break: 

Video :: U.S. Men vs. Jamaica: Game Preview

via MLS

Simon Borg and Jason Saghini of MLSSoccer.com discuss the upcoming World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Jamaica.

NOVA Field House Announces Open Play Soccer

NOVA Field House in Chantilly, VA has begun an open play soccer program on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10pm-12am. 

NOVA Field House - Chantilly, VA

Other offerings at NOVA Field House include women's over 40 indoor soccer league, Friday Nights 8:00-10:00pm.

Lancers Women's Soccer Announce 2013 Schedule

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University 20th-year women’s soccer head coach Todd Dyer ‘93 has announced his upcoming 2013 Schedule that features six Big South Conference home matches among the 11 league contests, as well as a visit to the Athletics Complex in Farmville by in-state opponent James Madison University.  The Lancers finished 2012 with an overall record of 13-6-2, including 8-2-1 in its first season as members of the Big South, and were 8-1-1 at home where the program is 48-15-3 since beginning competition at the facility in 2006.  Longwood is 41-14-2 at the Athletics Complex since attaining its NCAA Division I certification and eligibility for 2007.  The Lancers will play a preseason exhibition match at home against Appalachian State University on Saturday, August 17 at 1 p.m.  The regular season opener is on the road at North Carolina State University of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Sunday, August 25 at 7 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina.
   
“This is by far the most challenging schedule we've ever faced and that's exactly the way we want it,” said Dyer.  “For our program to continue moving forward, it is an absolute must that we keep raising the bar as it relates to the level of competition we measure ourselves against.  We've done that with this schedule and we all embrace this opportunity and are eager to get to work.”

Video :: Is soccer headgear effective in protecting athletes against concussions?

Unless you have been living on the moon the past 5-6 years, you surely have heard plenty of debate and discussion regarding concussions in sports. Particular attention has been given to concussion awareness training in recent years in hopes of better education coaches, parents, and players.


In the following video, Tad Seifert, M.D., answers the question, "Is soccer headgear effective in protecting athletes against concussion?"

Some MLS players who currently wear some sort of protective headgear include, Daniel Woolard (D.C. United), Carlos Valdez (Philadelphia Union), and Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids).

DC defender to don headgear after 2012 concussion issue

UVA's Morgan Brian gets USWNT call up

Morgan Brian

CHICAGO – Virginia junior midfielder Morgan Brian (St. Simons Island, Ga.) received her first call-up to the United States Women’s National Team as head coach Tom Sermanni announced a 23-player roster for two upcoming friendlies on Wednesday. Brian, a veteran of US youth national teams, is one of just two active college players named to the roster.

The United States will play a pair of games against South Korea over the next two weeks, on June 15 in Foxboro, Mass., and on June 20 in Harrison, N.J. Eighteen players from the 23-player training camp roster will dress for each game, and if selected, Brian could earn her first cap with the national team.

The roster also includes former Cavalier defender Becky Sauerbrunn, who currently plays professionally for FC Kansas City. Crystal Dunn of North Carolina was the only other collegiate player invited to the camp.

Brian had a strong sophomore season in 2012 after missing the first nine games of the year while starring for the United States squad that captured the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup championship in Japan. Upon her return she had four goals and seven assists, earning first-team All-ACC and NSCAA Southeast Region accolades. She had three goals and three assists in the ACC Tournament, leading the Cavaliers to the championship and earning ACC Tournament MVP honors.   

If Brian makes her debut against South Korea, she would be the seventh Virginia player to play for the full national team.

Follow Morgan Brian on Twitter: @moeebrian

Video :: USA vs Mexico Soccer Rivalry, Featuring Alexi Lalas

This is a great short video, featuring former USMNT player and current soccer analyst Alexi Lalas, recapping the rivalry between the United States and Mexico.

Check out: Mexico vs USA Rivalry Essay Feature from Pipa on Vimeo.

Custom Nike Cortez iD 'VASoccerNews.com' Editon

Here is our take on a throwback pair of Nike Cortez with VASoccerNews.com branding and style.

Back view of VASoccerNews.com Nike Cortez iD

VA Soccer News Nike Cortez iD Poster

Check out the
Nike Cortez iD
I designed at NIKEiD.com    

Custom Adidas Samba 'VA Soccer' Edition

If you follow VA Soccer News on Instagram (click here to follow) you more than likely have noticed an affinity for Adidas brand soccer gear as well as the best non-cleat soccer shoe ever invented - the adidas Samba Classic Soccer Shoe

Well here is our custom designed 'VA Soccer' (- News due to character limits) Adidas Samba. What do you think? Would you buy a pair? Have a design in mind you think is better, head over to adidas.com, customize a pair with your favorite design scheme, and share it with us here in the comments section

check out the
mi Samba
I just customised at miadidas.com

Customize Your Own

Hey Parents.....Your kid sucks

This is a blog post from a youth baseball coach however the "suggestions and solutions" recommended by the blogger, Colin Young, are a perfect fit for travel soccer as well. At least, from my perspective coaching travel soccer.

Anyway, check it out and let us know what you think, do you agree with Colin Young? 

Baseball Perspective: Hey Parents.....Your kid sucks:      Now that I have your attention, I must qualify that it is not the child's fault that he is terrible at (enter sport).  It has every...

U.S. Withstand Second Half Surge from Germany, get 4-3 Victory at RFK

U.S. vs Germany, 6/02/2013 - photo credit: Chris Wimmer

By: Chris Wimmer

RKF Stadium was host to another exciting U.S. Men's National Team match this past weekend as part of the U.S. Soccer centennial celebrations. U.S.A. hosted Germany in an international friendly and more than 47,000 fans packed RFK to witness a goal scoring frenzy that saw the USMNT up 2-0 within the first twenty minutes of the match.

Marc-André ter Stegen
photo credit: Chris Wimmer

In what could only be described as a goalkeeper's worst nightmare, German netminder Marc-André ter Stegen allowed an own goal (see it here) on a seemingly simple passback from his defender gifting the Americans a 2-0 lead early in the first half. To make matters worse for Stegen, minutes later Jozy Altidore of the U.S. had possession of the ball at the center circle of the field and flighted a ball over Stegen's head - causing the German keeper to take a tumble while attempting to back peddle in order to make a play. Although the shot by Altidore sailed over the net, the American fans let loose with a loud chorus of boos and jeers directed at Stegen.

VA Soccer News spoke to D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid after the match to get his thoughts on the troubled first half the 21-year-old Marc-André ter Stegen:

Hamid discusses poor start by Stegen

Tim Howard who some may say is the best ever U.S. goalkeeper also spoke to VA Soccer News about the struggles of Stegen and what goalkeepers do to stay in the game mentally:

Howard on Stegen

Germany came out swinging to begin the second half and quickly cut the American lead to 2-1 but U.S. superstar and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder (12 goals/43 appearances) Clint Dempsey struck with a vengeance, scoring two goals just five minutes apart (60', 65'). The Dempsey brace put the USMNT up 4-1 and RFK was louder than it had been in at least a decade as the American supporters began chanting wildly and had the temporary stands bouncing up-and-down.

A three goal lead, at home, against a not-so-full strength German club, in the second half of play should have been all that was needed to put the game away but the U.S. players seemingly checked out mentally and allowed the Germans to claw their way back to within one goal, 4-3.

The final 10-15 minutes saw Klinsman's squad struggling to hold on for the win, which they did, despite exposing the porous back line yet again. Maybe the U.S. should follow in the footsteps of American Football and hire a Defensive Coordinator to help shore up the suspect defense...just an idea.



Overall the international friendly surely pleased the mostly American contingent of fans with the amount of goals scored, drama, and patriotism that where all in full bloom to kick off the summer and celebrate the first 100 years of U.S. Soccer. Oh, and RFK had what may be one of it's final shining moments as host of another great sporting event.

photo credit: Chris Wimmer