Let’s tackle the issues you will have with the parents as a coach.  Parents at the youth level are very competitive because soccer is not a very well known sport to the average person.  Most parents will think they know more than you, can do a better job than you and will criticize your every move.  You cannot let this happen.

Coaches need to keep parents involved as much as possible so they see how much you are putting into the team.  Whether it is a weekly e-mail or a short meeting after matches,  parents need to hear from you.  This will give parents the feeling that they are involved in some way.

Let the parents ask you questions, give you advice and make sure they are comfortable approaching you to speak their mind.  Happy parents will translate into happy players.

The biggest issue Parents will complain about will be playing time for their child.  Playing time can be tough to manage depending on the size of the roster you are working with.  At the youth level all players should have equal playing time.

There will be instances where a few players will play more than others, but this issue needs to be spread around the season so when the season is complete everyone has had the same opportunities on the pitch.  A good way to keep track of this is the weekly e-mail or meeting.

I’m in DC for the weekend, planning my vacation around two DC United games.  The first was last night against Seattle.  In a game where DC had many more of the chances, Seattle popped a goal late to take the victory.  It’s really the story of DC’s season.

First, let’s start with the highlights.  Even for an old, beat up stadium, RFK has a great atmosphere.  It was nice to see that in a largely forgettable season, there was a good crowd on a Thursday night that were into the game.  The atmosphere picked up with every DC chance in the second half.  That’s why I love this team and love the possibilities of MLS.

As for the play on the field, I especially liked the play of second half substitutes Pablo Hernandez and Branko Boskovic in their United debuts.  While the season is pretty much over at this point, there’s hope for the future with these two signings as well as the play of young stars Andy Najar and Chris Pontius.  Hernandez’s movement off the ball was impressive, consistently making the right runs to create space.  He also looked good in the air, nearly scoring with a header that forced a point blank save by Kasey Keller.  Boskovic is a very technically skilled player with a great first touch.  Once he settles into the team, I think he’ll be very helpful in jump starting United’s woeful attack.  I’m still not sure if he wouldn’t be better as a winger, but that’s another discussion.

The defense, which has been playing well lately, ended up killing the team again.  A giveaway in possession by rookie Jordan Graye allowed Fredy Montero to break away.  Montero’s cross found a loosely marked Roger Levesque, who finished nicely with a diving header.  When you can’t score goals, there’s even more pressure on the defense.  DC’s defense has been held together by duct tape and prayers this season, and it shows in the stats.

I’m hoping we’ll get a better overall performance out of the team on Sunday night as the LA Galaxy come to town.  The thought of Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle running at this defense is scary though.

In Group C action today we had the United States taking on Algeria and England facing off against Slovenia.  Landon Donovan scored the goal of his career in extra time to defeat Algeria 1-0.  Jermaine Defoe scored a brilliant goal for England to defeat Slovenia 1-0.

England quickly made the game a must win for the U.S. when Jermaine Defoe scored in the 23rd minute. The word was definitely passed on to the players on the field with the U.S. attacking early and often.

The game was nearly a repeat of other American performances when Algeria sent a volley off the crossbar in the 6th minute. After an early scare, the U.S. settled down a bit and got into the flow of the game play really opened up. They had at least nine chances to score throughout the game, including another goal taken away from a poor off-sides call.

After a solid chance on goal from Algeria that ended with a Tim Howard save the U.S goalkeeper sent his second half-field throw right to Donovan in stride.  Donovan slotted a through ball to Jozy Altidore who then found a streaking Clint Dempsey who’s shot deflected off goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi right back to Donovan who continued his run to score the biggest goal in U.S. soccer history.

Donovan will surely go down as the greatest player to ever play for the U.S.  This is a huge accomplishment for American soccer fans as this is the first time they have won the group since 1930.

England dominated Slovenia from the first whistle but could not put the match out of reach.  Defoe’s goal was set up by a beautiful cross from Steven Gerrard.  England had numerous chances to add to their lead but made things interesting for English fans until the whistle blew.