Feeding their success.
Publix is a proud sponsor of Virginia youth soccer.
ANNUAL AWARDS
'OFTHEYEAR'
Virginia Youth Soccer Association is now accepting award nominations for the 20242025 Season! VYSA encourages Member Clubs and Leagues to nominate individuals who went above and beyond for the good of the game during the 2024-2025 Season.
Award Categories
Administrator of the Year
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
TOPSoccer Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Young Male Referee of the Year
Young Female Referee of the Year
Team Manager of the Year
The deadline to submit nominations is October 27, 2025.
VYSA ‘OF THE YEAR’ AWARD WINNER WILL QUALIFY FOR U.S. YOUTH SOCCER OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
If you have a quiet Goalkeeper, you are in for a long year | Goalkeepercommunication guide
byJohnSzaro(VYSAODPHeadGK Coach;USYSRegionEastHeadGK Coach)
Astrongpresenceandaneffectivecommunicatorcangiveyourteamabig advantage.Playerswhotalktoeachotherstaymoreorganized,focused,and motivated.Forgoalkeepers,communicationisn’toptional it’soneoftheirprimary responsibilities.Byconsistentlytalkingtoteammates,agoalkeeperhelpsthewhole teamperformbetter Everymessageshouldbeginorendwiththeplayer’sfirstname sotheyknowtheinstructionisdirectedatthem.Thismakesthecommandclear, personal,andeffective.
KeystoEffectiveGoalkeeperCommunication
Focusonthedefensivehalf:Mostinstructionsshouldbedirectedatplayersinyour ownhalf.Forexample:
“Showleft/right!”
“Checkyourshoulder!”
Beclearandconfident:Speakwithauthority short,sharp,3–4wordcommands workbest.Forexample:
“Pressureon!”
“Turn!”
“Time!”
“Stepup!”/“Drop!”
“Pushup!”/“Gettight!”
“Nofoul!”
“Pressurecoming!”
Beearly:Thesoonerthecommandisgiven,themoretimetheteammatehasto act.Forexample,indefendingaset-piece.
““Hold18!”
“Holdpenaltyspot!”
“Hold6-yardline!”
IntheBox–WhentheBallisFlightedIn:Clear,earlycallspreventconfusionandlet teammatesreactquickly.Onlyusetwocommandssoteammatesknowexactly whattoexpect:
“Keeper!” → You’recomingtoclaimtheball.
“Away!” → Defendersshouldclearit Followupwithpraise:Ifateammatedoeswhatyouasked,acknowledgeitbyname. Examplescouldinclude:
“Nicejob,Sarah.”
“Welldone,James.”
Afistbumporhighfiveworksjustaswell.
Therealityisthatmistakeswillhappen,ifacommandwasn’tfollowedandplayhas stopped,speakcalmlytothedefender.Encouragethemtostaysharp,remindthem youhavetheirback.Thisbuildstrustandkeepsconfidencehigh.
Beyondcommands,goalkeepersshouldusetheirvoicetomotivateteammateswhen thingsaretough,tosupportteammateswhentheysucceed.Butremember:toomuch constanttalkingcandistractyoufromreadingthegame.Communicationismost effectivewhenit’spurposeful.Herearesomeideastoputforthinpractice:
Goalkeeperswarmuptheteam.
Goalkeeperleadsapositional warmup,activationorpassing pattern.Haveplayerslinedupin aformationfacingawayand they(ourGK)leadswiththeir voicecommands.
Goalkeeperstoinitiaterepsin theiractivities Whetheritisshot stopping,claimingcrossesor passingoutoftheback.They alwaysstartwiththeball.
S T A T E C U P
VIEWACCEPTEDTEAMS
EVENTNFORMATION
VIEWACCEPTEDTEAMS
EVENTNFORMATION
IgnitingthePassionand BuildingtheTalent
Written by Gordon Miller, VYSA Technical Director
Too many players burn out and aren’t developed in the right manner
Following a blueprint is important, but looking closely, listening and taking player cues are the keys to success.
BuildtheLoveFirst
Make it fun early - Games with the ball, small-sided play, and fun challenges (juggling games, hit crossbar, nutmeg contest)
Celebrate creativity - Encourage tricks, flair and risk taking instead of punishing mistakes. Challenge players to come up with and name a new move.
Watch the game - Watch a pro match live or on 2025, and let them choose a favorite player.
TechnicalDevelopment(TheirownToolbox)
Ball mastery - Juggling, 1v1 moves, dribbling in tight spaces, and kicking a back against a wall.
First touch and passing skills - lots of rondos (5v2), small sided games, and wall passes.
Realistic training - less isolated drills and more decisionbased play (2v1, 3v2).
GrowthMindset&Confidence
Normalize mistakes - They’re part of learning. encourage players to try again instead of avoiding risks. Highlight effort and creativity over results, rather than just focusing on winning
Ownership - Let them set personal goals (eg, “I want to learn the Cryuff turn”).
EnvironmentMatters
Play unstructured soccer - Street soccer, futsal, in the backyard, and in the basement. Surround player with positive role models - Coaches who teach and encourage, and older players they can look up to and learn from.
Balance training and rest - Avoid burnout; allow players to participate in other sports for athletic development
CompetitiveEdge
Small sided competition - 2v2 and 3v3 tournaments where players learn grit, how to battle and problem solving
Game intelligence - Teach scanning, intercepting balls and reading body language and space (not just skills). Developing a high soccer IQ is paramount to success. Gradual Challenge - Keep raising the level as they grow, so the players are never too comfortable.
The key is keeping joy and skill connected. When players love the game, they’ll train on their own. If they’re skilled but don’t enjoy it, they’ll walk away so make fun the priority!
FC RICHMOND CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
This year, FC Richmond proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary a milestone that honors not only the longevity of a club, but its legacy of excellence that has defined the organization since day one.
The roots of FC Richmond go back to 1971, when Dave Amsler launched the first summer soccer league in Richmond, Virginia. What started with a few players quickly grew to more than 1,100 youth athletes—a sign of things to come. In 1976, Dave took another bold step by founding the Richmond Strikers, the area’s first travel soccer organization.
In 1985, Dave founded FC Richmond Magic Soccer Club. A second merger in 1990 with the Greenfield Dragons led to the formation of three iconic travel divisions—Magic, Mystx, and Metro all under the FC Richmond banner.
Today, FC Richmond serves over 3,000 youth players through its Recreation, Futures, Advanced Development and Travel soccer programs, remaining true to the high standards that have shaped thousands of players over four decades.
Looking Forward
As we honor our past, FC Richmond continues to build toward the future—creating a culture where dedication meets opportunity, and where players are empowered to grow into successful athletes, leaders, and people.
We’re proud to celebrate 40 years of shaping not just soccer players, but confident young men and women prepared for life Beyond the Game. Here’s to the next 40!
Vienna Youth Soccer, a community program dating back to 1975, is celebrating their 50 anniversary! th
In the spring of 1975, Vienna Youth Soccer began with a vision to create a community of soccer. Now, thanks to the dedication and passion of countless individuals, that vision has become a reality.
Over these remarkable fifty years, Vienna Youth Soccer been privileged to serve more than 3,500 players annually, providing over two hundred thousand hours of service each year. The growth has been incredible. The progress alone reflects the trust and support our members have placed in us.
“Vienna Youth Soccer’s longevity and success are a direct reflection of the amazing community that it serves,” remarked Heather Helmstetter, VYS Board President. “Our strength comes from the people within Vienna and we are proud to be part of this community.”
Congratulations to Vienna Youth Soccer!
First Touch Sports receives grant funding from U.S. Soccer for "Get on The Bus" program!
Students at Ecoff and Elizabeth Scott Elementary School in Richmond, VA are playing soccer for free this fall new gear (cleats, shin guards, jerseys, balls included!), and even transportation is covered.
Get On The Bus (GOTB) is a FREE after-school youth soccer program that breaks down financial and transportation barriers so that kids can play soccer on a team in their community, while learning valuable life skills and good study habits. GOTB provides all players with a full soccer kit including: jersey, shorts, shin guards, socks, soccer cleats and soccer ball.
VIRGINIA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 15-16. 2025
NVSC/NPSC FALL CLASSIC RECREATIONAL TOURNAMENT HOSTED BY NVSC & NPSC
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NOVEMBER 14-16. 2025
ALEXANDRIA HARVEST CUP HOSTED BY ALEXANDRIA SOCCER ASSOCIATION
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NOVEMBER 22-23. 2025
NVSC/NPSC HUNT COUNTRY FALL CLASSIC
HOSTED BY NVSC & NPSC
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NOVEMBER 22-23. 2025 CHAMPIONS SHOOTOUT HOSTED BY VIRGINIA LEGACY
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DECEMBER
DECEMBER 6-7, 2025
RVA TURF WARS
HOSTED BY DYNAMO SOCCER CLUB
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DECEMBER 13-14, 2025
CAPITOL FUTSAL CUP
HOSTED BY ALEXANDRIA SOCCER ASSOCIATION
DECEMBER 13-14, 2025
ADIDAS COLLEGE SHOWCASE HOSTED BY CLUB CHAMPIONS
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VIEW ALL SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS
US SOCCER SAFESPORT
What is SafeSportSafesport is a comprehensive program of policies and processes through education and training to help participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences
Required By: Congress and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
Who Completes It: Participants who come in contact with a minor (Club staff & ALL coaches) Frequency: Completed annually
How To Report a Concern
To make a report, either fill and submit the form below, or call the US Soccer Integrity Hotline at (312) 528-7004 to leave a voicemail. Please provide as much detail in your report as possible, including contact information, should you wish to be contacted concerning your report. U.S. Soccer does not retaliate and does not tolerate retaliation against any individual who makes a report in good faith. Please see below for more information.
Information on Safesport for parents can be found at the US Soccer Safeguarding Hub as well as the VYSA website for more detail on what Safesport is and how to report a concern.
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