Check out Zone 14 Coaching below:
https://zone14coaching.com/
Use code: ModernSoccer5 for $5 OFF
The US Soccer age group rule change is here — and it’s creating real uncertainty across the youth soccer landscape. In this Modern Soccer Coach podcast episode, Gary Curneen is joined by STA Technical Director Tom Shields to explain exactly what’s changing (birth-year registration to a seasonal/school-year window), why it’s being introduced, and how coaches and clubs can manage the transition with clarity.
We unpack the biggest issues families are asking about: “Will my child be playing down?”, what happens to late-birthday players, how “trapped” players can be affected during middle school to high school transitions, and how clubs can protect player development, team culture, and coach well-being during year one. Tom shares a simple leadership framework for communication and trust: keep people informed, inspired, interested, involved, and included — so you can lead the change instead of reacting to it.
If you’re a director, coach, or parent navigating team placement, tryout season, and registration shifts, this episode will help you understand the implications and make better decisions rooted in process — not panic.
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Check out Zone 14 Coaching below:
https://zone14coaching.com/
Use code: ModernSoccer5 for $5 OFF
The US Soccer age group rule change is here — and it’s creating real uncertainty across the youth soccer landscape. In this Modern Soccer Coach podcast episode, Gary Curneen is joined by STA Technical Director Tom Shields to explain exactly what’s changing (birth-year registration to a seasonal/school-year window), why it’s being introduced, and how coaches and clubs can manage the transition with clarity.
We unpack the biggest issues families are asking about: “Will my child be playing down?”, what happens to late-birthday players, how “trapped” players can be affected during middle school to high school transitions, and how clubs can protect player development, team culture, and coach well-being during year one. Tom shares a simple leadership framework for communication and trust: keep people informed, inspired, interested, involved, and included — so you can lead the change instead of reacting to it.
If you’re a director, coach, or parent navigating team placement, tryout season, and registration shifts, this episode will help you understand the implications and make better decisions rooted in process — not panic.
How Good Is U.S. Player Development? A Tactical Breakdown with Alessandro Davite (Roma & Inter Milan)
Modern Soccer Coach Podcast
18 minutes 42 seconds
2 months ago
How Good Is U.S. Player Development? A Tactical Breakdown with Alessandro Davite (Roma & Inter Milan)
Read Alessandro's article FREE below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/post/inside-the-tactical-evolution-of-usa-s-u20-world-cup-team
Following the USA U20 team’s impressive showing at the FIFA U20 World Cup, Gary Curneen sits down with Alessandro Davite — a UEFA A Licensed Coach and Tactical Analyst who has worked with AS Roma, Inter Milan, and Sora — to take an objective, global look at how far U.S. player development has come.
Alessandro recently wrote a full tactical report on Marko Mitrović’s U20 side for Modern Soccer Coach, analyzing the team’s build-up play, attacking structures, and use of “artificial transitions.” In this conversation, he expands on those ideas and discusses what makes the next generation of American players unique.
⚽ Discussion Highlights
Why the USA U20 team displayed modern attacking dynamics and adaptability
How the concept of “artificial transitions” creates a more fluid attacking model
The balance between positional structure and player connections
What European coaches really think about American players
How the U.S. can continue to evolve tactically ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Modern Soccer Coach Podcast
Check out Zone 14 Coaching below:
https://zone14coaching.com/
Use code: ModernSoccer5 for $5 OFF
The US Soccer age group rule change is here — and it’s creating real uncertainty across the youth soccer landscape. In this Modern Soccer Coach podcast episode, Gary Curneen is joined by STA Technical Director Tom Shields to explain exactly what’s changing (birth-year registration to a seasonal/school-year window), why it’s being introduced, and how coaches and clubs can manage the transition with clarity.
We unpack the biggest issues families are asking about: “Will my child be playing down?”, what happens to late-birthday players, how “trapped” players can be affected during middle school to high school transitions, and how clubs can protect player development, team culture, and coach well-being during year one. Tom shares a simple leadership framework for communication and trust: keep people informed, inspired, interested, involved, and included — so you can lead the change instead of reacting to it.
If you’re a director, coach, or parent navigating team placement, tryout season, and registration shifts, this episode will help you understand the implications and make better decisions rooted in process — not panic.
