Youth Soccer

Messi Has Revealed The One Thing He Hopes His Sons Will Understand About Him

Lionel Messi is one of the most soft-spoken players in the world. If he wasn’t constantly one of the two best — if instead he was a middling player taking the field for Stoke City every weekend, then there is every reason to believe that only hardcore fans would know who he is. It is incredibly ironic, then, that he has risen to fame at the dawn of the age of social media, at a time when everyone is making a name for themselves through their personalities. Likes and clicks matter more than news and facts, and Messi has risen above it all. The irony of Messi’s success is not lost on him.

Mexican 11-Year-Old Hailed As The Next Messi

Meet Luka Romero. He's 11 years old and is from Durango, Mexico. Some people think he might be the next Messi.

This 12-Year-Old Is On The Fast Track To The Pros With This Goal

When we were 12 years old, we were just satisfied with putting the ball in the back of the net, no matter how it happened. Honestly, we were six years away from playing soccer like bees play tag. In the rare instance that one of us scored something that took any amount of skill, we we’re f***ing pumped.

 

Pros And Cons: The Chipotle Homegrown Game

The Club America U-20s defeated the MLS Homegrown All-Stars last night in penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation. This casts a poor light on MLS's player development efforts, however friendly the match ended up being. With that in mind, we did what we always do in trying times: we made a list of pros and cons. 

Pro:

The MLS Homegrown All-Stars almost didn't lose!

Con:

The MLS Homegrown All-Stars lost.

Pro:

The MLS team was really young, with just eight players age 21 or older.

High Schoolers Pull Off Ridiculous Bicycle Kick To Bicycle Kick Goal

Because, sometimes, the only way to answer a bicycle kick cross is with a bicycle kick finish. Watch the James Island boys soccer team pull it off.

There Are Buzzer Beaters In High School Soccer. Texas Has The Best One.

Josh Peloquin, of Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, launched a nasty 35-yard volley in the final seconds to beat Denton.

California High-Schooler Scores From Midfield Seconds After Kickoff

Geoffrey Acheampong of Cate High School in California hit a long ball immediately after kickoff that went in the goal

The 11 People Everyone Meets Playing Youth Soccer

We at The18 understand that not everyone is meant to play soccer (or sports in general for that matter) but, for some reason, parents all over the world sign their children up for soccer year after year.

On the surface, it makes sense. Kids have a lot of energy, soccer fields are the perfect outlet; soccer is a relatively safe sport; it is a great way for kids to meet friends. 

Pages