Kids today

The last games of the U14 boys national team camp.

Coach Manny offered some interesting thoughts on what young soccer players need most to develop.

Boys, boys, boys

As mentioned in the article, the two coaches from the Galaxy were out to observe the U14 camp for potential players.

Trevor James and Tim Hanley were there, and Hanley passed along his advice for young players.

"Don't try to play for the best team. Try to play for the team with the best coach - the one who will develop you and your game the most."

Chivas USA's Dennis Te Klose was there, too, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

The youngest Nats

The U14 boys national team had their first scrimmages in camp yesterday. I'm seeing more technical play on the ball these days. Perhaps not coincidentally, I noticed the players seem a bit more on the small side, plus there's a lot more Latino players than I remember in years past.

Here, a Cal South player chests down a ball as Scott Cohen (64) and Jon-Paul Medina close in.