Youth Soccer

Watch: Player in Thailand turns to celebrate not realizing the ball was cleared off the line

A player in Thailand learned the hard way that celebrating too early can lead to catastrophic results. And by catastrophic we mean hilarious.

A video from a 7-on-7 game in Thailand has gone viral after a player started celebrating a goal before the ball had gone into the net. The youngster shot on what he thought was an open goal and began doing a multi-part celebration toward his team’s bench.

What he failed to notice was that an opposing defender courageously cleared the shot attempt off the line.

Thailand player celebrates early

Former USMNT player Geoff Cameron responds to Landon Donovan youth soccer rant: “We NEED to create winners.”

Youth soccer in the United States has become a hot topic in recent months, with two former U.S. men’s national team players giving their takes on the state of youth development in the country.

Former USMNT players, Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea, spoke about the state of youth soccer in the U.S. in the co-hosting of their new "The Ground Training Club" podcast, discussing the why’s and how’s of what’s important for young players in their development. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino slams the United States' pay-to-play system

Infantino is the latest soccer personality to criticize the United States’ infamous pay-to-play system.

During the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed an observation that has surprised him about soccer in the United States: the prevalence of the pay-to-play system. 

According to the head of FIFA, for American soccer to achieve its maximum potential, the nation must get rid this significant obstacle to participation in the youth ranks.

14-year-old American prodigy Cavan Sullivan to sign with Manchester City

The USMNT might just have another star on the way.

14-year-old American prodigy Cavan Sullivan to sign with Manchester City

According to reports from the world-renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have secured the signing of the highly sought-after 14-year-old attacker Cavan Sullivan. Despite fierce competition from clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, the Citizens emerged victorious in the race for the Philadelphia Union youth player’s signature. 

15-year-old Nimfasha Berchimas is tearing up the U-17 World Cup as USA advance to Round of 16

The United States U-17 men’s youth national team has a star in the making and it’s 15-year-old Nimfasha Berchimas.

The U.S. is competing in the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia and secured a spot in the Round of 16 after defeating Burkina Faso 2-1 on Wednesday. The Americans bested South Korea 3-1 in their opening game and now sit tied at six points with France, mathematically advancing the U.S. out of the group.

California soccer game turns ugly as parents and players brawl after final whistle

Chaos erupted after an amateur soccer game in Irvine, California, this past weekend when players and parents got involved in a nasty brawl.

The fight was between two teams that play in the United Premier Soccer League, which is sometimes considered the fourth tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid.

Irvine Zeta FC II was a younger team that upset the undefeated Club Garrafones 2-1. After the final whistle scuffles turned to skirmishes which devolved into an all-out brawl.

Da'vian Kimbrough, 13, just became the youngest U.S. pro soccer player

Sacramento Republic forward Da'vian Kimbrough became the youngest U.S. pro soccer player in history, making his professional debut on Sunday.

Kimbrough, who is 13 years, 7 months and 13 days old, entered a USL Championship match in the 87th minute of Sacramento Republic's 2-0 win over the Las Vegas Lights.

PSA: Please respect youth soccer referees this season, they don’t get paid enough for your nonsense

Fall is rapidly approaching, and youth soccer is already underway this season. The18 unfortunately reports on far too many instances of enraged parents going after youth soccer referees. We’re looking to change the narrative on those poor officials in yellow and give them some more respect.

13-year-old Da’vian Kimbrough becomes youngest pro in U.S. history, signs with Sacramento

Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League made history on Tuesday by signing a 13-year-old player to a professional contract.

Da'vian Kimbrough, who is 13 years, 5 months and 13 days old, signed with Sacramento to become the youngest pro player in U.S. soccer history. The record most recently belonged to Maximo Carrizo, who signed with New York City FC's senior squad on his 14th birthday in February 2022.

The club also claims that Kimbrough is the youngest professional athlete in American team sports history.

Thiago Messi steals the show from dad with a savage nutmeg during presentation

Lionel Messi was introduced as an Inter Miami player in front of a raucous sellout crowd of over 20,000 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday night. Messi was welcomed in the driving rain with an impressive display of pyrotechnics and star-studded video messages (Tom Brady! Steph Curry! Gregg!), and he thanked the crowd for making his family feel so welcome in the city.

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