Live The Pitch

The 2008-2009 USSF Youth Academy season comes to a close this week in Carson, Calif.  The Academy finals week will run from July 10-17 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center.  This event will showcase the top youth talent in the U.S.

In just its second year, the USSF Youth Academy is flourishing.  The level of competition  in this league is top-notch.  With college recruiting to national team recruiters at every match, this is the league for the elite youth player in the U.S.

Teams will play in a round robin format within their respected group.  After the round robin stage is complete, the 1st place teams will face off for the title.  Each team will play additional matches after round robin play.  When the first stage is complete, teams will play another team from the opposite group for consolation matches.

Livethepitch.com would like to congratulate the teams that have made it to this great event.  Good Luck Boys!  Make sure you leave it all on the pitch!

U-15/16

GROUP 1

Chicago Magic AS Monaco

Derby County Wolves

FC Dallas

New York Red Bulls

GROUP 2

Cal Oddysey

Greensboro Youth Soccer

PDA

Washington Premier FC

U-17/18

GROUP 1

Carmel United FC

Dallas Texans

FC Greater Boston

IMG Soccer Academy

GROUP 2

CASL Chelsea FC Academy

DC United

PDA

Real Colorado

When playing a flat-back four it is vital that your team understands the transitioning part of the formation.  When going forward this is the best formation you can play.  If the flat-back four is played right there will be options all around the field.  In my opinion the key players transitioning to offense in this system are the outside-backs.

The outside-backs have to be good technically, and patient with the ball at their feet.  In this formation the four backs have full range of going forward while in possession of the ball.  When the backs move forward there has to be communication with the other players.   If a center-back moves forward, then a center-mid or outside-mid would drop into the space they were covering.  There has to be constant communication while playing a flat-back four.

When moving the ball out of the defensive zone, the defenders must transition forward quickly to avoid leaving space for the opposing team. The goalkeeper and center-backs should act as leaders on the pitch and take charge of the other players on the field to get them forward quickly. If the transition is slow the opposing team will have space to attack the four players in the back.  Every player needs to be on the same page in this formation.  If one player is slow transitioning forward this leaves the entire team vulnerable to a counter-attack.

When in possession of the ball  all players have the ability to get involved in the attack.  This is why a sweeper, man marking formation is not good in my opinion.  In a sweeper formation the backs have man marking responsibilities, which hinders the players from getting involved on offense. Throughout my years of coaching I have had players beg me to play outside-back in our flat-back four.

If played right the flat back will open up the field giving you great chances at the opposing teams goal.  The outside backs should be serving balls in, the center backs should be moving up into the midfield, and most importantly there has to be COMMUNICATION!

Throughout the past few months youth teams from across the country have had the goal of securing their place in the USYSA National Championship. The tournament will be held in Lancaster, Mass.,  from July 21-26.  To be at the national tournament teams had to win their local state cup tournaments, and then win their regional championship.  This is a great achievement for the boys and girls teams that have made it this far!

Livethepitch.com would like to congratulate the teams that have made it to this prestigious event.  Good luck to everyone!

National Tournament site- http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/

Here are the Youth Region Results:

Region 1-  http://www.t7sports.com/2005/B103034.htm

Region 2-  http://www.t7sports.com:8080/2005/B102227.htm

Region 3-  http://www.gotsport.com/events/?eventid=5951

Region 4-  http://www.t7sports.com:8080/2005/B103036.htm

The club soccer scene in the United States is down to the best of the best of youth soccer. Teams are participating in their respective Region tournaments throughout the next two weeks with all eyes on a spot at the National Championship event in Lancaster, MA. Teams participating are not affiliated with USSF Academy clubs but the level of competition is just as high.  To qualify for the regional you must either win your State Cup or finish in the top two of your respected region league.

Region 1

7/4-7/7

Barboursville, WV

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionI/

Region 2

Sioux Falls, SD

6/20-6/24

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionII/

Region 3

Plano, TX

6/19-6/24

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionIII/

Region 4

Lancaster, CA

6/15-6/21

http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionIV/