First Touch Magic, Sideline Smarts & Fearless Play!

Good morning,

My goal with every email is simple: to share my passion for youth soccer and the community that makes it thrive.

I hope you enjoy it, and I’d love to hear your feedback.

Coach’s Corner: Receiving and Turning With The Ball

Coaches, this drill focuses on your players receiving the ball and turning quickly to get their passes off. These are key skills for game-like situations. This will allow your players to get more comfortable with taking their time on the first touch and going in the right direction when moving the ball.

By repeating this drill consistently with your players, they will, in turn, learn how to create space and move away from pressure. Creating these habits for your players earlier rather than later is especially beneficial to them and your team. It will increase their confidence with the ball. Encourage your players to remain focused on clean touches and those quick turns every time!

Parents’ Corner: Sideline Etiquette Matters

As we all know, youth soccer is all about learning and having fun, and parents help set the tone on the sidelines. That being said, one of the biggest things to remember as a parent is to let the coaches do the coaching. Having too many instructions from both sidelines can confuse players and lead to many distractions for them during play.

The best way to support your player is by cheering them on, staying positive, and encouraging effort over results! This helps your player build their confidence and comfort level playing their sport.

When parents create a supportive and positive environment, their players will feel more comfortable, play more freely, and get the most fun out of their experience.

If you would like to read more on sideline etiquette, click here!

Players’ Corner — Trinity Rodman - Be Yourself

Trinity Rodman, playing for the United States Women’s National Soccer Team, has said that the role that she has comes with a lot of pressure. She knows especially how much unwanted pressure can affect how you play your game. Early on in her career, she admits that she had held herself back on multiple occasions due to not wanting to make any mistakes.

She shared in an article from The Mirror US saying: “Just don’t beat yourself up when you mess up… I felt like the first cycle I wasn’t really playing like Trin, just because I was scared to mess up… that can be really crippling in performances.”

Players, here’s your key takeaways from this:

• Don’t fear mistakes — they are part of your growth

• Play with confidence and be yourself

• The best version of you comes when you’re not afraid to fail

UPCOMING: 2026 Zoo City Summer Classic, Asheboro, North Carolina — May 30 & 31, 2026

Girls Team of the Week: FCCP Tidal Wave - U9 Girls

Boys Team of the Week: NEU 2016 Hornets U10

Nominate Your Team for a Spotlight

We feature two programs every week — reply with your team’s story.

Community Spotlight: Kits for Kicks

Kits for Kicks is a student-run nonprofit that is dedicated to helping underprivileged children access soccer by redistributing gear. Founded by high school soccer player Kate Howard and her teammates, the organization strongly aims to remove financial barriers that keep kids from playing. By providing complete soccer kits, they promote safe play and reduce injury risks.

Through partnerships with local schools, clubs, and community programs, Kits for Kicks reaches children who need support the most. Beyond equipment, the organization focuses on building confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging, giving every child the chance to experience the game of soccer.

Join Us in Growing the Game

If you know a coach, parent, player, or fan who would enjoy this, please forward it along and invite them to subscribe.

And if you ever want to share feedback, reply to this email — I read every response.

Here’s to Building American Soccer Together.

Warmly,

Madison Skaggs
Marketing Intern, UnitedGoals USA
[email protected] 
unitedgoalsusa.com