Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer

Union Pre-Academy gets it right — a parent’s view

Tryouts for Philadelphia Union’s inaugural Junior Pre-Academy have begun. PSP contributor Scott Pugh shares his perspective as his young son goes out for the team.

Youth Soccer

Continental FC’s Ethan Manzella at the FCBEscola International Tournament

Young Ethan Manzella, who plays for Continental FC, was recently selected to represent the US at the FCBEscola International Tournament in Barcelona. His father Jeff reports on the tournament.

Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer: We’re Doing it Wrong, the conclusion

Scott Pugh concludes his series looking at some of the issues surrounding development in youth soccer.

Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer: We’re doing it wrong, Part 7

In the latest installment of his series on youth soccer, Scott Pugh looks at travel soccer.

Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer: We’re Doing it Wrong, Part 6

Scott Pugh looks at how ways of identifying talent and potential can focus too much on short-term success for the club rather than a player’s long term development.

Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer: We’re Doing it Wrong, Part 5

Scott Pugh continues his look at youth soccer development. Topics include the pitfalls of identifying players with a particular position at too early an age and how adults’ desire for wins can negatively impact playing time.

Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer: We’re Doing it Wrong, Part 4

We all want our kids to play smarter. How can we be smarter as teachers? Scott Pugh continues his look at what we’re doing wrong when it comes to youth soccer development.

Youth Soccer

Youth Soccer: We’re Doing it Wrong, Part 3

Scott Pugh continues his look at youth soccer and says the overemphasis on winning can be detrimental to development.

Youth Soccer

Youth soccer: We’re doing it wrong, Part 2

Scott Pugh describes how practice trumps talent — and the importance of fun when practicing — in the second part of his series on development in youth soccer.

Youth Soccer

Youth soccer: We’re doing it wrong, Part 1

Scott Pugh introduces a new series examining some of the issues surrounding youth soccer.