Do Not Let Soccer Fade Away into Oblivion

The morning headlines summarize what most Americans are feeling in the wake of the disappointing loss to Japan for our beloved USWNT:

• U.S. stunned by heartbreaking loss to Japan in Women's World Cup final
• Japan shocks U.S., wins World Cup
• Missed chances, shoddy defense dooms U.S.

The list of attention grabbing headlines goes on and on. Even though a U.S. win in the Women's World Cup would surely have produced more positive growth for WPS and soccer in general here in America the battle continues.

For those of us who dream of the day when soccer is not an afterthought or regarded as a substandard sport behind the "Major Four" (i.e. Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey) we must face the reality that our battle goes on.

True soccer fans in America must take responsibility to grow our sport by any means available and there are plenty available. Take for instance the creative yet simple idea behind The Free Beer Movement which encourages fans to "share our passion for the game with, and to educate, not-yet-converted, but willing, friends, family, and colleagues in exchange for a beer here and there".

There are many other ways to support soccer as well but the point is to simply do something, anything and since this is a capitalist society the most effective way to be heard is to put your money where your mouth is. Buy tickets to soccer games, purchase your favorite teams apparel as gifts for friends and family, watch soccer on T.V., play soccer, contact celebrity television hosts (Ellen DeGeneres maybe?) and tell them you want to see soccer starts on their shows, and quite possibly the most overlooked way to get heard = call your local sports talk radio shows and demand that they talk about soccer.

The formula is easy, supply and demand. Demand soccer and big businesses will supply it as long as they are making money. Mope around and complain about how soccer may never get respect or how you can't find the games on T.V. or that your favorite sports radio host does not talk soccer and you are doing nothing to benefit the cause.

Soccer is the biggest sport in the WORLD, now we need to speak up instead of sulk and make it the biggest sport in America. Why settle for 5th best? It's within your power and it is simply up to YOU!

Pia Sundhage calls on three Washington Freedom Players

The United States Women’s National Soccer Team head coach has called up three players from the Washington Freedom to play in two upcoming international matches versus Sweden next month. The U.S. will be hosting Sweden on July 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and July 17 in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Freedom players selected are midfielder Sarah Huffman and Allie Long as well as forward Abby Wambach. The complete list of players selected by Coach Pia Sundage can be found here: U.S. Women’s Roster.

The Women’s National Team is preparing for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup to be played in Germany 2011 (June 26 – July 17). There have been five Women’s World Cup tournaments (China – 1991 & 2007, Sweden - 1995, and U.S.A – 1999 & 2003) with the U.S. winning twice and finishing 3rd their other three appearances. The most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking the Americans held the #1 spot, followed by #2 Germany (host country), and #3 Brazil.

(photos property of: Howard C. Smith | isiphotos.net)

Just because the U.S. Men’s team was eliminated doesn’t mean you will have to wait four more years to see America have a chance to win a World Cup. Come out to a Washington Freedom game to support Huffman, Long, and Wamback as they compete in the WPS against the world’s best female soccer players including: Brazil - Marta (FC Gold Pride) Formiga & Cristiane (Chicago Red Stars), France - Sonia Bompastor (Washington Freedom), Camille Abily (FC Gold Pride), Germany - Shelley Thompson (Atlanta Beat), Japan - Homare Sawa (Washington Freedom), England - Eniola Aluko (Atlanta Beat), and of course many more who will be competing in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.

What Ever Happened To The Most Famous Bra in Soccer?

By Chris Wimmer 

In the wake of one of the most important goals in U.S. Soccer history by Landon Donovan with his extra-time game winning goal many people are reminded of another (possibly most memorable) goal for U.S. Soccer's past. None other than Brandi Chastain's 1999 Women's World Cup game winning penalty kick.

Well have you ever wondered what happened to the notorious sports bra worn by Brandi during this defining moment in U.S. Soccer? Check out the video posted by Brandi Chastain herself:

How Controversial Call Might Actually Help U.S. Soccer and Future FIFA Matches.

Unless you are from another planet (some might say Koman Coulibaly IS) you have heard about and seen or not seen for that matter, the controversial call that most likely cost the U.S. Men's national team 3 points for the win versus Slovenia last Friday and maybe even a chance to advance to the next round in the World Cup.

Of course many U.S. soccer supporters may possibly never get over this call by Coulibaly and rightfully so since it was a complete disgrace to both soccer and competitive sports in general. But it got me thinking, is it possible that there may be some positive side effects caused by his critical error and subsequent media storm?

Traditional vs. new media – Will women’s sports ever get equal coverage?

Very interesting article discussing the lack of coverage of women’s sports is lower than ever in 2009.
Traditional vs. New Media; Will Women's Sports ever get Equal Coverage?. The article is posted by Amanda Vandervort of Soccer Science.


Soccer Science,

The Neurotic Genius of Soccer in the Digital Age, takes a look at the technologies that are revolutionizing the way we see the beautiful game, from the personal perspective of Amanda Vandervort – former college coach, web geek and fan of professional soccer.

Do you feel the discrepancy in coverage is acceptable?

Annoying World Cup Horns -- The Silver Lining

This is a great story to tell all those people complaining about the "anoying" vuvuzelas. Not to mention that TMZ is possibly the last place I would expect to see a story relating to soccer.

Annoying World Cup Horns -- The Silver Lining


Bye the way, what side of the VUVUZELA arguement are you on?

Has Youth Soccer in America Left Behind the Inner City?

By Chris Wimmer 

I recently came across an old article posted back in 2007 on http://www.davesfootballblog.com/  titled Celtic to Boost Inner City Football.

It made me think that little has changed with regards to soccer being viewed as a "suburban kids" game. Is this due to a lack of interest of soccer in the inner cities of America or the high cost of participating in competitive youth soccer leagues? As a parent of a "travel soccer" player, I can attest to the extremely high cost of participating on a quality youth soccer team.

Along with the cost of being part on a quality team is the added cost of equipment. Add to that camps in the summer and during the season (to stay ahead of the competition) and individual training (position oriented, i.e. Goalkeeper, Striker, etc.). Not to mention cost associated with traveling out of town a few times per year for tournaments. Don't get me wrong, I don’t mind doing this for my daughter or other children in the future if they chose to follow in her footsteps. In fact, I feel it is my responsibility to provide my children with all possible opportunities to succeed at any and all activities they are involved in. This seems to be the same mentality shared by many "suburban" American parents that I know.

This all leads me to the question my daughter asked this past weekend while we attended a professional women's soccer match, "Why are most of the players Caucasian?” Great question. I tried my best to explore with her the possible reasons for this mostly Caucasian ratio only to end up with more questions myself. Why is this case? Is this more prevalent in women's soccer than men's? Are inner city youth not afforded the same opportunity to experience soccer due to the high cost to participate? Is this another example of the growing separation of classes in America? And finally, what could or should be done about this because surely there are just as many quality soccer players in the inner city as there are in the suburbs.

What is your opinion? Do you see this changing any time soon? What can we as coaches and soccer fans to change this?

D.C. United & Habitat for Humanity - Build Days Event

 

 

The Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. mission is:

to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in the nation's capital by building affordable, energy- and resource-efficient homes for people in need.

 

They are teaming up with D.C. United, and MLS WORKS and are hosting a series of Build Day events during the month of July. You can help by participating as a volunteer or sending a donation. Volunteer spots are limited, so hurry and volunteer today!

• D.C. United, In the Community
• MLS W.O.R.K.S.
• Habitat for Humanity (D.C.) 

106.7 The Fan shows support @ Washington Freedom

This past Saturday my daughter and I had the TOTAL soccer experience.  For anyone who says Americans do not care about or support soccer, I wish you could have been at the SoccerPlex in Maryland on June 12.

Not only did we get to watch the first USA vs England World Cup match since the huge upset of team USA over the highly favored British team that was 60 years in the making, we also received V.I.P. treatment from Jaclyn Benjamin of the Washington Freedom.

How to Choose a College!

(reprinted with permission of the author) Todd Hoffard, Founder, www.oneononesoccer.com

This is a question that I get asked A LOT! What is the best way to choose a college for my son or daughter and what are we looking for? Well, I am going to map it out to you in 10 simple steps (although there are certainly a lot more thank 10 things, but this is a good start). The hard part is that you are the ones that actually have to follow through with them. Here they are in order:

Concussion in Sports - What You Need to Know

(image property of: http://www.laurafreberg.com/)

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has released a FREE online course through there website, the course titled:Concussion in Sports - What You Need to Know, is given the following description on the NFHS site:

Sports-related concussion in high school sports can be serious or even lift-threatening situations if not managed correctly. National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have teamed up to provide information and resources to help educate coaches, officials, parents and students on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management in high school sports. Mick Koester M.D., ATC, Chair of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and Director of the Slocum Sports Concussion in Eugene, Oregon takes you through this course. In this course you will understand the impact sports-related concussion can have on your players, how to recognize a suspected concussion, the proper protocols to manage a suspected concussion, and steps to help your player return to play safely after experiencing a concussion.

WPS Team to shut down.

Women's Professional Soccer :: Saint Louis Athletica to Shut Down

10 Northern Virginia Travel Soccer Clubs – with upcoming Tryouts:

UPDATE - For the most up-to-date club tryout information check our: Travel Soccer Tryouts (2013-2014) page.

http://www.vasoccernews.com/p/travel-soccer-tryouts.html

Well even though the 2010 Spring Soccer Season is wrapping up here in Northern Virginia and families are making their summer plans, its already time to think about the 2010 Fall Soccer Season. For many players that means tryouts. Some players will be returning travel players who have played for many years and others will be hoping to join the wonderful, busy, competitive, and sometimes downright crazy world that is Travel Soccer.

U.S. Women’s National Team has Dominant Performance vs. Germany

On May 22nd in Cleveland, Ohio with a 4-0 shutout of 2-time defending Women’s World Cup Champions Germany, the U.S. Women’s National team made a statement that they are once again the best team in the world.

Soccer Movie Extras Needed - Northern Virginia

Have you ever dreamed of being in a movie? Do you lovesoccer? Are you located in the Northern Virginia area?

A Northern VA film company called 1Voice Films is in the process of filming a movie called For the Glory (http://www.fortheglorythemovie.com/). 1 Voice Films is in need of movie extras to attend large sports scenes, and males (18-30 years) who have soccer experience to be soccer player extras. These extra positions are unpaid, but food will be provided and your name would be included in the credits of the film. If you are interested in being an extra in the film, please send an email to nancy@fortheglorythemovie.com  with your age, physical description, and any sports experience.

This may be your only opportunity to tell you grandkids one day that you were in a movie!