Verizon Announces Soccer Weekends for Players of All Ages

Do you have a child who wants to improve their skills? Raise your hand if your amateur adult team wants some tournament action. Where are the soccer players with a passion to go pro?

If you or someone you know falls in one of these categories, mark your calendars because Verizon is bringing free youth clinics, an amateaur adult tournament and open professional tryouts to 18 cities across the United States. The 6th Annual Copita Alianza youth clinics/ tournament, Verizon Copa Alianza adult amateur tournament and Alianza de Futbol open tryouts will take place from April to October.

The youth soccer clinics are free and open to youth between the ages of 5 and 17. Participants will engage in soccer drills and learn from professional players. Also, it is an opportunity for your child to meet Futbol legends Ramon Ramirez, Luis "El Matador" Hernandez, Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama and Jorge "El Brody" Campos, who are scheduled to participate in the festivities this year.

Each youth player will leave with a Verizon soccer jersey, ball and sack pack. Registration is required and parents can sign up at designated Verizon Wireless location one week prior to the clinic. To find the select store location in your area, go to www.alianzadefutbol.com

Verizon's Youth Soccer Clinic Registration Schedule is as follows:
• Dallas Clinic Registration – April 9-10
• Houston Clinic Registration – April 9-10
• Atlanta Clinic Registration – May 7-8
• Washington, D.C. Clinic Registration – May 21-22
• Chicago Clinic Registration – June 2-3
• New York Clinic Registration – June 4-5
• Denver Clinic Registration – June 11-12
• San Antonio Clinic Registration – June 25-26
• Los Angeles Clinic Registration – July 16-17
• Kansas City, Mo. Clinic Registration – July 16-17
• San Francisco Clinic Registration – Aug. 6-7
• Fresno, Calif. Clinic Registration – Aug. 20-21
• Miami Clinic Registration – Aug. 20-21
• Philadelphia Clinic Registration – Sept. 3-4
• El Paso, Texas Clinic Registration – Sept. 10-11
• Newburgh, N.Y., Clinic Registration – Sept. 24-25
• Yakima, Wash. Clinic Registration – Oct. 8-9
• Hawaii Clinic Registration – Oct. 22-23

Benfica, Sporting & Porto: The Portuguese Football Powerhouses

Happy Monday! It's time for the third installment of our exclusive interview with Tom Kundert of PortuGoal.net. Kundert gives a quick lesson on the top clubs in the Portuguese First Division and a brief history of their efforts to stay at the top of the table.

Footvolley Documentary Release: Perfecting the Footvolley

After almost a year ago, I was in Barranquilla, Colombia with Professor Liosh Alzate and the athletes of the Colombian footvolley team. It was a wonderful adventure that I am proud to showcase to the world in an 8 minute documentary entitled, Perfecting the Footvolley. Many thanks to the executive producer Yuvonne Bowens, editor Steve Young, Freedom Heights Studios, and, of course last but not least, Liosh Alzate, Gregory Hamburger, Katia Silvera, Ronald Orzco, James Jimenez, Omar Otero Ochoa, Adrian David Guerra Parejo and Cristo Anaya Sanches.

From Sports Illustrated to FIFA Presidency: Wahl Runs for Opportunity of a Lifetime

When sportswriters draft their career plans, it is safe to assume that becoming the head honcho of a sports governing body does not enter the equation. However, Grant Wahl's recent actions may be just the catalyst to raise the bar for many of his peers.

Wahl, a sportwriter for Sports Illustrated, has publicly announced his bid to become the President of FIFA, the highest post in the international soccer world. It sounds like a tall order, and quite a long shot for an American guy who has never held an executive post in any national soccer association. Nevertheless, Wahl is hoping that the level of discontent within the global soccer community for Sepp Blatter's leadership decision will be just the ingredient to validate his chances.

To be formally considered for candidacy, Wahl needs to secure 1 nomination from a FIFA Association country by the April 1st deadline. He hopes that his positions on transparency, shirtless celebrations, instant replay and female inclusion in the FIFA governing body will allow him to cross the first obstacle to obtaining the post.

Out of the 208 FIFA Association countries, which do you think would consider giving him a public nod for the opportunity to run? We look forward to hearing your thoughts. In the meantime, enjoy this Grant Wahl for President video.

Sponsorship Spotlight: Sierra Leone Premier League

A new season is set to commence for the Sierra Leone Premier League on February 26th with 14 clubs slated to compete for the league's top spot. In leading up to the kick off, the league office has received a financial boost from Africell.

Africell, a West African telecommunications company, has agreed to become the title sponsor of the league with a pledge of $23,500 USD. This is not the first foray of the company in soccer sponsorship as the company serves as a sponsor for the Gambia National Soccer Team.

Eat Soccer Exclusive: Portuguese Futsal Player Cabral

There is a quote from one of my favorite movies, Akeelah and the Bee that goes something like this, “there are 50,000 teachers all around you.”

Although this was a piece of advice given to Akeelah, a little girl who was preparing for her moment in the spotlight at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, I believe this piece of wisdom rings true for those of us who are working to reach our highest potential in soccer, futsal, footvolley or freestyle.

While training with Coach Eric Parada and the open men’s team Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões Futebol Clube, I had the pleasure of learning from and playing with Euclides Cabral. Cabral is a highly accomplished futsal player who helped his club accomplish the impossible-climbing the ranks from the 4th division to the top national division in Portugal in less than 4 years time.

In this first clip, Cabral agrees to serve as one of our 50,000 and provides us with some excellent advice—and its sprinkled with some great footwork by a few of the guys at Grupo Recreativo Escorpiões. Enjoy!

PortuGoal Exclusive: Overcoming the Beginner Obstacles

In the second part of our exclusive interview with Tom Kundert of PortuGoal.net, the editor explains some of the initial challenges he faced in the beginning stages of the soccer news site.