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Youth Soccer in New England
The youth soccer scene in New England is the usual alphabet soup of acronyms and abbreviations that you find in other parts of the country. From NCCL to MAPLE, to ODP and Super-Y, youth soccer has changed immeasurably in New England over the years that Soccer New England has been covering it.
There has been a massive increase in soccer participation in the region, and the quality of play has undoubtedly improved dramatically. Whether that has resulted in greater success on the field, though, is open to debate.
Kristine Lilly is the only native New Englander who currently starts on a regular basis for either of the two senior US National teams. There are a handful of others, male and female, who represent their country at the youth levels.
Two local products, Jay Heaps and Kyle Martino, are regular starters for their respective MLS clubs, the Revs and the Galaxy, while half a dozen of their female counterparts played in the WUSA and could be expected to play in the new professional women’s league when it re-launches in 2009.
Local clubs who have made an impact at Regional and National Championships include South Shore United U-12 boys, who became the first Massachusetts team to win a Region 1 Championship in July of 1990, the Greater Boston Bolt Girls U-19s, who went one better and brought home the National Championship in 1994, Oakwood Soccer Club , Seacoast United, South Coast Scorpions and Spirit of Mass.
There are dozens of others, and this is the part of the site where we cover the youth game, the parents, the coaches and the players who make the scene so vibrant. We also cover the issues that affect the youth game and player development throughout the region, such as the emerging trend of paid coaches, the proliferation of different leagues and the role the Revs and MLS may one day play in youth development.
If you have your own view on issues affecting kids soccer, feel free to drop us an email and we’ll publish them on a “Letters to the Editor” page.
Latest Youth Soccer Stories
10/25/09 - Mass. Native Joins U17s.
U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach Wilmer Cabrera and 21 players who will represent the United States in the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup left for Nigeria Tuesday, arriving five days before the team's first match.
9/23/09 - A New Home for Oakwood Soccer Club.
The Oakwood Soccer Club recently opened an outdoor complex in Portland, Conn. with two artificial turf pitches, including one with lights.
8/28/09 - Two Mass. Natives on U20 World Cup Roster.
CHICAGO -- Two Massachusetts natives made the US Under-20 Men's National Team that will compete in the upcoming U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
8/26/09 - Revs Hire Edmonds as Youth Director.
The New England Revolution announced today that the team has hired Karl Edmonds as its new director of youth development.
7/23/09 - Milan Coaches Come to Mass..
ARLINGTON, Mass. -- Red and black were the colors of choice for nearly 100 youth soccer players from New England recently, as two coaches from the youth academy of AC Milan conducted a week-long clinic in Arlington, Mass. from July 6-10.
7/12/09 - Beachside SC are Regional Champs.
The Beachside SC U12 boys team won the U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 championship, becoming the first U12 boys team from Connecticut ever to do so.
7/10/09 - Local Player on Academy's Starting XI.
Seacoast United (NH) midfielder Steve Palumbo was named to the US Development Academy’s East Conference Starting XI for the U17/18 age groups.
6/26/09 - New England Premiership Set to Launch.
The New England Premiership (NEP) has announced that the league will launch this fall. The membership for the league’s first season will include MPS Bulldogs/Renegades, Bruno United, MPS Crusaders/Lady Crusaders, Seacoast United, Soccer Domain and Seacoast Maine.
6/19/09 - Local Club in Academy Playoffs.
CHICAGO – FC Greater Boston is the lone New England club to make the first ever US Development Academy playoff bracket.
6/8/09 - NEFC Announces New Staff.
As part of the merger between New England Eagles and FC Puma, the resulting club will be expanding into the South Shore of Massachusetts.
6/4/09 - Automated Team Notification.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to reach all of your players with a single phone call?
5/29/09 - Academy Helps Vermont Player Come Full Circle.
Teddy Vallee always wanted to play for Vermont. Ever since he was little kid watching the games of his hometown college team, Vallee knew he wanted to suit up in yellow and green.
5/26/09 - Local Player Bounces Back.
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Out of all the players that participated in the US Development Academy Spring Showcase on Memorial Day Weekend, Glen Martin from Andover, Mass., might claim the most difficult road taken to arrive in Sarasota.
5/18/09 - MLS Tournament Returns to Foxboro.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Hundreds of soccer players from all over the region will be in action when Futbolito, the official 4-v-4 tournament of Major League Soccer, returns to the New England area.
5/15/09 - Major Mass Clubs Merge .
Two longtime Massachusetts youth clubs are merging. This week, New England Eagles FC and FC PUMA agreed to merge and will take the new name New England FC (NEFC).
5/11/09 - Replacing Tournaments with a Better Option .
It is evident to many that U.S. youth soccer has an addiction to tournaments.
5/7/09 - Tekk Goals Fit for a Pope .
This week, Soccer New England caught up with Eddie Pope, now settling in comfortably in his new job as Director of Player Relations with the Major League Soccer Players Union.
5/6/09 - Revs to Hold Youth Tryouts .
The New England Revolution will conduct open tryouts for its Under-16 and Under-18 teams at locations around southern New England between May 26 and June 2.
5/5/09 - Youth Championships Coming to Mass. .
The US Youth Soccer Association National Championships are coming to Massachusetts from July 21-26
5/4/09 - Breakers, Bolts Team Up .
BOSTON, MA -- The Boston Breakers and the local youth club FC Greater Boston Bolts are teaming up to provide new opportunities to young soccer players in Massachusetts.
4/1/09 - Scituate Youth Coach Resigns.
A Scituate girls' soccer coach resigned this week after the parents of his 6- and 7-year-old players protested an email in which he dubbed his team "Green Death" and encouraged the heckling of referees.
3/20/09 - The View from Vermont.
Here in Vermont, we youth soccer mentors have ourselves an issue. I’m talking about specialization. It’s a dirty little word. It’s not spoken out loud too much. In its place we often use a euphemism: commitment.
3/20/09 - Duback Joins Aztec Staff.
New England Aztec has announced that former US national team goalkeeper Jeff Duback has joined the club’s staff.
3/12/09 - Local Youth Called to US Camp.
Christian Sady of New England Aztec U14 boys team has been invited to play with the U14 National Team in Los Angeles this coming May after a strong performance with the team in January.
2/27/09 - Breakers, Aztecs form Partnership.
The Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) have reached an agreement with Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team Boston Aztec, in which Aztec will become the reserve team of the Breakers.
2/23/09 - Latest Academy Results for Local Teams.
The latest results from the US Development Academy are in with some close results for the four New England teams involved.
2/23/09 - Lepore Holds Academy Symposium.
CHICAGO -- U.S. Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore conducted his second Academy Symposium of the year on Feb. 11 during the USA-Mexico match.
2/13/09 - US U15s Call on Revs' Youth Player.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution Under-16 forward Devin Devoy is among a group of 36 players selected to the U.S. Under-15 Boy’s National Team’s upcoming training camp.
2/5/09 - Local Youth Players Show SPARQ.
The SPARQ training results from the U.S. Development Academy’s Winter Showcase were recently released and two players from New England clubs scored in the Top 10 in their respective age divisions.
1/5/09 - Area Clubs in Pre-Academy League.
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Three New England clubs will be among the first 12 teams to participate in the US Club Soccer Northeast Pre-Academy League for U14-15 boys.
1/4/09 - Local Clubs in Disney Showcase.
Two local New England clubs made it to championship games Saturday at Disney's Soccer Showcase.
12/19/08 - Mass. Native Honored by US Soccer.
CHICAGO -- Hanson (Mass.) native Kristie Mewis was named the U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in an announced made by the organization Thursday.
12/18/08 - Former Bolt Starts for UNC.
CHICAGO – Last year, Sheanon Williams was playing matches with the US Under-17 National Team. Last Sunday, Williams, who was born in Boston and played with the FC Greater Boston Bolts, started as a freshman for North Carolina in the College Cup.
12/9/08 - Local Girls' High School All-Americans.
Eleven girls’ high school soccer players from New England were named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Girls High School All-America Team.
12/12/08 - Local Boys' High School All-Americans.
Twelve boys’ high school soccer players from New England were named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Boys High School All-America Team.
12/9/08 - Revs Make Development Academy Debut.
LANCASTER, Calif. – The New England Revolution’s Development Academy debut went well, with the new Under-17/18 squad going 2-1 in the Winter Showcase over the weekend.
11/16/08 - U17 Women Fall in Final.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- The U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team lost the U17 World Cup Final, falling 2-1 in overtime to Korea in front of 16,162 at North Harbour Stadium.
11/14/08 - U17s Advance to World Cup Final.
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand -- The US Under-17 Women's National Team overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat Germany, 2-1, and advance to the to the championship game of the U17 World Cup.
11/13/08 - Mass Coach Hired by USL.
TAMPA, FL -- Boston College alum and Massachusetts youth coach Kate Thibault has been hired as the United Soccer League's Associate Director of Super Y-League Operations.
11/10/08 - U17 Women Move to Semifinals.
HAMILTON, New Zealand -- The U.S. Under-17 women's soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the U17 World Cup with a dominating 4-2 victory against the Korea Republic in front of more than 7,000 fans at Waikato Stadium.
11/5/08 - U17s Advance to Quarterfinals.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- A goal from Vicki DiMartino gave the U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team a 1-1 tie with France, earning the team a trip to quarterfinals in the FIFA U17 World Cup.
11/2/08 - U17s Get First World Cup Win.
HAMILTON, New Zealand -- The U.S. Under-17 women won their first U17 World Cup game ever, overcoming an early 1-0 deficit to score three goals after the break in a 3-1 win over Paraguay.
10/30/08 - Mass Native Scores in U17 Loss.
HAMILTON, New Zealand -- Hanson's (Mass.) Kristen Mewis scored in the 51st minute but the U.S. Under-17 women's soccer team lost in its first-ever U17 World Cup match, dropping a 3-2 decision to Japan at Waikato Stadium.
10/15/08 - Mass. Sisters on U17 Squad.
CHICAGO -- The Mewis sisters from Hanson, Mass. were among the 21 players named to the U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team for the upcoming U17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand.
10/7/08 - Local Coach at id2 Training Camp.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The first of three US Club Soccer id2 Regional Training Camps was held this weekend in Zarephath, N.J., with help from a local soccer coach.
9/17/08 - Calcagni Elected MAPLE Commissioner.
Charlie Calcagni’s start in soccer was not unlike that of most men in the early ‘80s – accidental.
9/6/08 - Revs' Club One of 12 New Academy Teams.
CHICAGO – The New England Revolution’s youth club is one of 12 new teams joining the U.S. Development Academy in its second season.
8/22/08 - Two Locals on Girls U14 Team.
Two players from New England made the United States Under-14 girls team that will participate in the 2008 Women's Nike Friendlies this week.
7/18/08 - Area Players Make Academy All-Stars.
CARSON, Calif. – The U.S. Soccer Development Academy announced the Starting XI for each of its eight conferences in both the Under-17/18 and Under15/16 age groups, with plenty of local players amongst the league’s Northeast all-stars.
7/1/08 - Region 1 Youth Championships.
Results from this weekend’s US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships, held in Brunswick, Maine.
6/28/08 - ESPN to Showcase Growing Academy.
CHICAGO -- U.S. Soccer’s inaugural Development Academy season will finish on a high note during Finals Week with all eight placement matches being broadcast on ESPN Networks in a total of 20 hours of coverage over two days.
6/25/08 - Development Academy Rolls On.
The four New England teams in the US Development Academy went a combined 5-6-1 last weekend, with Oakwood Soccer leading the way at 2-0.
6/25/08 - Revs Reveal Youth Rosters.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Revolution announced the names of the players selected for its 2008-09 Under-16 and Under-18 youth program on Tuesday.
6/17/08 - Aztec U17 Girls Win States.
The New England Aztec soccer association finished with its first ever state championship this weekend.
6/6/08 - New England State Champs.
Most states have finished the championships that qualify teams for the U.S. Youth Soccer regionals that begin in mid-June. Here’s a look at the winners in the five of the six New England states (no Massachusetts).
6/4/08 - Lepore Plugging Away for Academy.
CHICAGO -- With the US Development Academy in full swing with matches kicking off in various states across the nation on any given weekend, Director of Scouting Dave Sarachan, and full-time Academy scouts Tony Lepore and Raul Diaz Arce travel the nation and assign scouts to identify, assign and evaluate players on a weekly basis.
5/15/08 - Sarachan Takes in Academy.
CHICAGO – U.S. Development Academy Director of Scouting Dave Sarachan was on hand for this weekend’s slate of games, including 12 contests featuring New England teams.
5/10/08 - Former UConn Asst. Scouts Academy.
CHICAGO – Among the many spectators watching Thursday night’s US Development Academy match between Real Colorado and the Colorado Rapids youth team was former UConn assistant coach Bobby Muuss.
5/8/08 - Two Area Players in US Youth Camps.
Two players from local clubs are shipping out to U.S. Under-14 and U15 camps, respectively.
5/6/08 - MYSA Coach to Head Revs Youth Program.
Mario Prata, an instructive staff and development coach with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association, was hired by the Revolution has their new Director of Youth Development and will construct the club’s Under-16 and teams in the U.S. Development Academy.
4/30/08 - New England Clubs Continue in Academy.
In the latest weekend action in the U.S. Development Academy, the four New England entries combined for just two losses in 14 games over two days last week.
4/27/08 - Bolts Win BU14 North Division.
The FC Greater Boston Bolts boy’s Under-14 team won its last two Region 1 Premier League games at last weekend to earn a trip to the playoffs as the undefeated North Division champs.
4/18/08 - Revs Join Development Academy.
The Revolution's newly implemented youth development teams will complete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, beginning this fall, US Soccer announced Thursday.
4/16/08 - Clubs Battle in Academy.
Seacoast United got the best of the other New England teams this week in our Development Academy wrap-up. United went 4-0 last weekend, highlighted by matching 3-1 victories in the Under-17/18 age bracket
4/9/08 - Local Academies Face Off.
In US Soccer Development Academy action last weekend, the four New England teams matched-up in both the Under-15/16 and Under-17/18 age groups.
4/2/08 - Area Clubs Have Mixed Results.
In Soccer New England’s continued coverage of New England’s four Development Academy teams, last weekend saw FC Greater Boston, Oakwood Soccer Club, South Central Premier and Seacoast United go a combined 4-8-2.
3/26/08 - Seacoast and South Central Meet in NE Battle.
Two of New England’s entries in the US Development Academy meet last weekend for the first time when New Hampshire’s Seacoast United traveled to Connecticut’s South Central Premier for a U-15/16 match-up.
3/13/08 - Local Clubs Resume Development Academy Play.
Connecticut’s Oakwood SC U17/18 squad took the pitch in the US Development Academy for the first time since last month’s Winter Showcase, losing 3-0 to first-place and undefeated BW Gottshee (New York) last weekend.
3/8/08 - Nothern Mass. Clubs Announce Merger.
In a long-anticipated move, two Northern Massachusetts clubs – Aztec Soccer and New England Soccer School – officially merged operations this week, announcing the formation of one super-club, New England Aztec, complete with a new logo and an affiliation with England’s Everton FC and its youth academy training system.
3/3/08 - US Club Soccer Reelects Board Members.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Four positions on US Club Soccer's Board of Directors have been filled following elections for the two-year terms, including the reelection of Region I's Peter Bradley, Director of Coaching for Mass Premier Soccer.
2/20/08 - New England Clubs Get First Taste of Academy.
FRISCO, Texas – Four New England clubs went a combined 4-8-4 in their first US Development Academy appearances in the league’s Winter Showcase held last weekend at Pizza Hut Park.
2/14/08 - Sarachan Joins Development Academy.
United States Soccer has hired former Chicago Fire coach and U.S. Assistant Dave Sarachan as Scouting Manager of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Also joining the Development Academy brass are former Cape Cod Crusader Tony Lepore and former Revolution striker Raul Diaz Arce.
2/11/08 - Mass. Youth Coach Honored.
Michael Elster (boys) of Sutton (Mass.) Youth Soccer Club was one of two recipients of the 2007 US Youth Soccer adidas Competitive Coach of the Year award.
1/31/08 - Local club Makes Top 25.
The FC Greater Boston Bolts were ranked No. 10 in Soccer America's annual Top 25 list of the best boy's clubs in the nation.
1/16/08 - 72 Players Invited To US U-18 Mega Camp.
CHICAGO – Braintree's (Mass.) Scott Caldwell was among the 72 players invited to the U.S. Under-18 men's soccer team's January mega-camp at the IMG Academies in Brandenton, Fla.
1/12/08 - US Women's Teams Realign for '08.
CHICAGO – The U.S. women's soccer program is undergoing a reconstruction at the youth level. The program will reinstitue its Under-18 team and the Under-21 team is being converted to a U-23 side to continue to compete in the annual Nordic Cup.
1/6/08 - Help Boston Girls Play Soccer.
You can help disadvantaged Boston girls play soccer.
12/31/07 - Synergy Surprise Team at Disney Showcase.
Synergy FC of Vermont was the surprise of the Disney Soccer Showcase this weekend, making it all the way to the semifinals before being elimintaed in the boys U-15 division.
12/10/07 - U17s Beat Brazil Fall to Turkey.
The U.S. Under-17 men's soccer team defeated Brazil, 2-0, Saturday, but fell to Turkey by the same score in the final international match of the Development Academy Nike Friendlies on Sunday.
12/7/07 - U17s Win First Game Under Cabrera.
The U.S. Under-17 ('92) men's soccer team won its first international game under new head coach Wilmer Cabrera, beating Russia, 2-0, Thursday in the first game of the Development Academy Nike Friendlies.
12/5/07 - Nike Friendlies Kick Off With US U17 vs Russia.
The 2007 Development Academy Nike Friendlies kick off Thursday when the U.S. Under-17 ('92) men's soccer team faces off with Russia at 3 p.m. live on the Fox Soccer Channel.
11/20/07 - Soccer Safety - Vol. 4.
Turf fields have come a long way. The older, first- and second-generation fields led to increases in leg and knee injuries as well as more severe head and neck injuries when players hit the ground.
11/1/07 - Soccer Safety - Vol. 3.
Many are surprised to learn that 31 people have been killed and 51 have been seriously injured due to falling soccer goals.
11/1/07 - Soccer Safety - Vol. 2 (Part B).
In this section we present practical tips to retain and generate heat to prevent cold injury and improve the comfort and performance of soccer players in cold weather.
10/30/07 - Soccer Safety - Vol. 2 (Part A).
Part A of this article will describe the risk factors and signs associated with the stages of loss of core body temperature, or hypothermia. Part B will make practical suggestions to keep players safer, warmer, and more comfortable under cold or wet conditions.
10/30/07 - Four NE High Schools in Girls Top 25. 1.
Four New England high school girls' soccer teams are ranked in the top-25 in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas National High School Rankings, including two teams in the top 10.
10/27/07 - Three NE High Schools in Boys Top 25. 1.
Three New England high schools are ranked in the top-25 in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas Boys National High School Rankings.
10/27/07 - Soccer Safety - Vol. 1.
Look across virtually any sport field and you will see the players' water bottles laying in the grass or turf. In the past, the team trainer or coach would bring out a 6-pack of water bottles for all players to share - now we know that sharing bottles is unhealthy and can lead to the transmission of germs and illnesses amongst players.
10/26/07 - Cabrera Takes Over US U-17s.
Colombian World Cup veteran Wilmer Cabrera was named head coach of the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team and head of the U.S. Soccer U-17 Residency Program, both positions formerly occupied by the recently promoted John Hackworth.
10/24/07 - Fore Kicks II Breaks Ground in Marlborough.
After almost two years in the works, construction workers, city councilors and the Mayor broke ground on the new Fore Kicks II facility in Marlborough, Mass. this Monday.
10/23/07 -Development Academy Announces Winter Showcase.
Forty-three teams from the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups across the country will descend upon Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas from Feb. 16-18 for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy's Winter Showcase.
10/12/07 - US Club Soccer's id2 Program Comes to an End.
US Club Soccer's id2 program concluded this week, ending the U.S. Soccer-staffed Regional Training Camps designed to scout attendees for possible inclusion in the National Team Program.
10/10/07 - Youth Spotlight Shrewsbury Girls Win Natick Tournament.
The "Lady Hurricanes" of Shrewsbury, Mass. won the 26th annual Division One Natick Soccer Tournament for the Girls U-14 division.
10/7/07 - Development Academy Kicks Off.
U.S. Soccer Development Academy kicked off this weekend with a full slate of matches headlined by the U.S. Under-17 men's national team's match against Chivas USA's U18 squad.
10/2/07 - Phantmoms and Classics Team Up.
The USL's New Hampshire Phantoms are teaming up with the New Hampshire Classics club team to form the New Hampshire Soccer Alliance, a partnership designed to develop players from kindergarten to the pros.
9/28/07 - Opening Match Set for Development Academy.
Birmingham United will meet the Atlanta Fire Saturday in the opening match of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s inaugural season.
9/15/07 - Scorpions at UMass Dartmouth.
Scorpions Soccer Club will be expanding their highly acclaimed soccer skills coaching program to UMass Dartmouth.
7/26/07 - Everton Youth at NESS.
The Everton FC U9s come to Boston this week to take on five teams from New England and highlight the club's new web-based coaching program.
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