If you've been wondering why tournament play has become such a major part of the youth soccer experience, follow the money.

By Mike Woitalla (Soccer America Magazine)

"Unfortunately, our children are granted far less adult-free playtime than previous generations, and the pickup game has become a rarity. Soccer, because it is a safe, simple game, can serve as a substitute for the free play that today's children are being denied -- if adults learn to keep their mouths shut." ... From an interview on parent behavior at youth games I did with momlogic.com.

-- Mike W.

For a decade now, U.S. Soccer has put the nation's top young boy players into its U-17 Residency Program. For the last two years, they have been mentored by Colombian World Cup veteran Wilmer Cabrera, who takes them to the U-17 world championship in October.

By Mike Woitalla (from the October 2009 issue of Soccer America)

When the players at the U-17 Residency Program hit the field for their daily practice session, they are first met one-on-one by the coaches.

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

It seems to be conventional wisdom that scrimmaging - letting children actually play soccer - is something that should happen only at the end of practice. It's promised to them like a dessert, the reward for eating the broccoli.

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

This column is for the kids. Adults can stop reading now