The U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program recently named the 40 players selected to participate in the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida this fall. The 40 players are among the nation’s most recognized and in addition to their skills, determination and motivation to being the best, also share affiliation with US Youth Soccer.
Of the 40 players, 16 will enter their first semester of residency. With the exception of a few, all have experience through participation in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP). Hailing from seven states and fourteen different clubs, the new residents will join familiar faces, second and third semester players, also US Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer ODP players, to train and prepare for new challenges.
Marcelo Balboa, a US Youth Soccer Alumnus played six years with Colorado leading them to the 1997 MLS Cup. He has these tips on slide tackling.
Marcelo Balboa knows a little something about defending after seven seasons in Major League Soccer and nearly 130 appearances with the U.S. national team spanning a decade. He offers his tips so players can defend aggressively but intelligently.
US Youth Soccer, with 3.2 million members the nation’s largest youth sports association, today announced September 2004 as the second annual Youth Soccer Month – Celebrating Soccer in America.
“More children in the United States are participating in organized soccer than any other sport,” stated David Messersmith, president of US Youth Soccer. “It is with great pleasure that we at US Youth Soccer are spearheading the Youth Soccer Month initiative to promote the benefits of playing this wonderful sport.”
