Posts that only show on the MYSL Blog page.
Clint Dempsey's diverse childhood soccer experience
Clint Dempsey, the USA’s second all-time highest scorer, leads the USA against Jamaica in World Cup qualifying on Friday. Dempsey is the subject of the YouthSoccerInsider's latest edition of "When They Were Children."
By Mike Woitalla
He grew up in the East Texas…
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Refereeing Young Children: More Teacher than an Enforcer (Part 1)
By Randy Vogt
When I started refereeing in 1978, young kids games were 11 vs. 11. I was paid $6 per game, or $4 if I refereed with a partner. Being given responsibilities and some authority while running up and…
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By Kristine Lilly
It was the late 1970s. I was 6 years old when I started playing soccer. Well I am not sure if what I played could be called “soccer.” I was out on the field with other boys and girls and there was a ball and chaos. What…
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What to do about M's father?
By Donna Olmstead
The recent death of Salt Lake City, Utah, soccer referee Ricardo Portillo makes me incredibly sad. There isn't a game on earth that is worth someone's life. I read that his family says the parents of the 17-year-old keeper who hit…
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Sleep well, play well (The teenager's challenge)
(For those parents and coaches welcoming a new generation of teenagers, the Youth Soccer Insider republishes this article, which first appeared in May 2011.)
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D.
I'm sure anyone who's raised an adolescent or teenager can attest to the…
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Mexico Diary: Lots of hype but no Goooool
By Mike Woitalla
The back of a van in Mexico City’s Colonia Condesa is covered with bumper stickers, one of which reads "Jesus Saves …" followed by smaller type:
“He passes to Chicharito… Chicharito scores … Goooool!”
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is Mexico’s…
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