U.S. Soccer's 2007 Best Of Awards

CHICAGO (December 19, 2007) – The final four winners of the 2007 “Best of U.S. Soccer” awards were announced on Wednesday on ussoccer.com, with Studio 90 presenting the fan’s choices for Best Soccer Bar, Best Blog, Best Goal (Men) and Best Performance (Player).

Fans can watch a special presentation of all 11 winners on ussoccer.com’s Studio 90, which has already showcased the first seven award winners, including Best Assist, Best all_access Video, Best Fan Atmosphere, Best Goal (Women), Best Performance (Team), Best Photo and Best Store.

To check out the rest, buzz here.

King Kaka and Marta crowned

2007's top players almost predictably both hail from the beautiful game's spiritual home of Brazil. Kaka topped the men's side while Marta scooped the award for the women.

Ac Milan's Kaka, who just days ago snapped up the Ballon d'Or as Europe's top player for 2007, was again the centre of attention on 17 December at the Zurich Opera House. The wide-smiling, elegant midfielder from Brasilia became the fifth Brazilian to be named FIFA World Player of the Year amid boisterous applause and all-around appreciation.

His exploits in helping Milan win both European and world titles played a big role in seeing the thoroughbred midfielder achieve the ultimate success on a night in which he beat out Lionel Messi of Argentina and Barcelona and fleet-footed Manchester United and Portugal trickster Cristiano Ronaldo.

On the women's side of things, sumptuous Umea striker Marta picked up her second player of the year title in succession. She helped drag an amazing Brazilian side to the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup in China in September and is fast emerging as the shining light of the female game.

Rampaging Marta, predictably overwhelmed by the honour, beat out Birgit Prinz of two-time world champions Germany and her own Brazilian team-mate Cristiane.

In the night's other commendations, Barcelona received the FIFA Fair Play award and 'O Rei' Pele picked up the FIFA Presidential Award.

Louisville pro soccer team getting closer

A professional indoor soccer team based in Louisville could begin playing as soon as next fall, an investor behind the planned team said this morning.

Wayne Estopinal, the owner of an architecture firm in Jeffersonville, Ind., said he would be the majority investor in the new team. It would be the 10th squad in the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Estopinal said he's still in talks with other investors and with corporate sponsors who would help raise about $3.7 million for the first three years of salaries, marketing, rent and other costs. The team is looking to play its first couple of seasons at Freedom Hall, then possibly move to the planned downtown arena.

To check out the rest of the story, jump here.

Brycen Howard named to 1992 All American Team

adidas All Stars Named from US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Interregional


FRISCO, TEXAS (December 3, 2007) - US Youth Soccer today announced the adidas All-Star Teams from the recently completed US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Interregional at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex from November 25-27, 2007. The 18-man rosters for the '92, '93 and '94 adidas All Star teams were selected for their outstanding performance during the annual interregional event.

The annual event brings together the four US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Regional Teams and two of U.S. Soccer National Teams for competition and player development. The event also creates an excellent opportunity for the nation's top colleges to preview the future of their respective programs.

The teams practiced on Friday, November 23, with competition play beginning on the 24th and running through Monday, November 26. The Under-14 age group gained experience by competing against two of the U.S. Soccer National Teams.

US Youth Soccer ODP, designed to identify and develop a pool of players from which U.S. National Teams may be selected, is the original Olympic Development Program in the United States. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and Women's United Soccer Association, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. With programs in all 55 State Associations as well as regional and national championships and participation in international tournaments, US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way in elite player identification and development.

For more information on US Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer ODP please visit USYouthSoccer.org.