Team Give and Go launches New

Team Give and Go launches new app that allows Team Give & Go Launches Innovative App Empowering Collegiate Women Soccer Players to Earn While Giving Back

Team Give & Go, a leading advocate for women’s soccer development, has announced the release of its new app designed specifically for collegiate women soccer players. This groundbreaking platform allows athletes to earn money by mentoring and supporting younger soccer players, redefining the way student-athletes can engage with their communities.

The app leverages the natural leadership and experience of college players, creating a structured environment where they can give back to the next generation. Users can sign up to offer virtual coaching sessions, skill tutorials, motivational talks, and personalized training plans to youth players looking to improve their game.

By serving as role models and guides, collegiate athletes not only help foster the development of younger players but also build valuable professional and personal skills. The app tracks hours contributed and connects the mentoring activity with a monetization system, ensuring that players receive compensation for their time and expertise.

Key Features of the Team Give & Go App:

  • Verified Collegiate Player Profiles: Ensuring credibility and safety for young users.

  • Customized Mentorship Opportunities: Tailored sessions to meet the specific needs of youth players.

  • Secure Payment Integration: Transparent and timely compensation for collegiate mentors.

  • Community Building: Spaces for interaction between mentors and mentees to share experiences and advice.

  • Progress Tracking: Tools to monitor improvement and engagement over time.

The app arrives at a time when opportunities for collegiate athletes to monetize their skills are expanding, especially following recent changes in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations. By centering on giving back, Team Give & Go combines social impact with financial empowerment, promoting a sustainable ecosystem in women’s soccer.

“We designed this app to support collegiate women athletes not only in their personal growth but also as leaders who inspire and uplift the younger generation. It’s a win-win,” said a Team Give & Go spokesperson.

This innovative platform promises to transform how collegiate women soccer players engage with their communities, offering an accessible way to earn money while making a meaningful difference in the sport’s future. As the app rolls out nationwide, it aims to build stronger connections across all levels of women’s soccer.

Team Give & Go invites collegiate players and youth athletes alike to join the movement, encouraging growth, mentorship, and earning potential through the power of soccer and giving back.

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The Dark Side of Early Professionalism: NWSL's Problematic Youth Recruitment

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Image by Michal Jarmoluk

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is facing growing criticism for its increasingly younger player recruitment, a trend that threatens to undermine the integrity of professional soccer and the well-being of young athletes.

The Age Dilemma

Recent developments have exposed a troubling pattern of extremely young players being fast-tracked into professional soccer. While talent identification is crucial, the league's approach raises serious ethical and developmental concerns.

Key issues include:

  1. Psychological Stress: Teenagers are being thrust into high-pressure professional environments before they've developed the emotional maturity to handle intense scrutiny, performance expectations, and media attention.

  2. Physical Development: Young players' bodies are still developing, making them more susceptible to career-threatening injuries when subjected to professional-level training and competition.

  3. Educational Disruption: Early professionalism often comes at the cost of comprehensive education, potentially limiting players' long-term opportunities outside of soccer.

Reputation at Stake

The NWSL's strategy of recruiting very young players undermines the professional ethos of the sport. Professional soccer should represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement - a status that requires years of dedicated training, mental fortitude, and comprehensive skill development.

By prioritizing early recruitment over holistic player development, the league risks:

  • Reducing the perceived value of professional athletic achievement

  • Creating unrealistic expectations for young athletes

  • Potentially exploiting young talent for short-term competitive advantages

A Call for Responsible Development

The solution isn't to eliminate young talent but to implement more robust protections. This includes:

  • Mandatory educational support

  • Comprehensive mental health resources

  • Gradual, structured professional integration

  • Strict regulations on training intensity for younger players

The future of women's soccer depends on nurturing talent responsibly, not exploiting it prematurely.

 

2025 Class of Talented Players Are Months Away From Lighting The Pitch On Fire.

It’s been a long time coming for some of the most talented and dedicated footballers in academy soccer. For some of these promising athletes, it’s just a matter of a few short months before they take the field at some of the premier collegiate institutions in the country. Here are some of the standout students athletes on the move to watch out for in the exciting year of 2025.

Twenty of the 2026 Commits and Where They Are Headed.

The Beautiful Game is getting some beautiful talent. The recruiting season is currently in full swing for the highly anticipated 2026 class. Throughout this period, we have witnessed a significant number of talented young girls make commitments to some of the most prestigious and noteworthy programs in the country. Let’s take a closer look at 20 of the standout commits for the class of 2026 and examine the exciting places where they will be heading..

Expanding Horizons: Team Give & Go's International Soccer Adventures Fosters Exposure For Players Of Color.

Soccer, often referred to as the "beautiful game," holds a special place in the hearts of millions around the world. It's a sport that transcends borders, languages, and cultures, uniting people through a common love for the game. One of Team Give & Go unique initiatives involves organizing trips abroad for soccer players, exposing them to different soccer cultures, styles, and players from around the world.

These trips offer invaluable experiences that extend beyond the soccer field. By taking kids from diverse backgrounds on international soccer adventures, Team Give & Go is making a meaningful impact on young players of color and highlighting the importance of diversity in soccer - says Troy Jones founder. For their first trip abroad the organization is headed to the Netherlands next summer with three age groups U07, U08, and 09 age groups.

Team Give & Go is showing its forward-thinking as a soccer organization while staying committed to nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and instilling important life values in young athletes of color. The primary objective of Team Give & Go is to create opportunities for young athletes, especially those from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds, to broaden their horizons, both as soccer players and individuals. By taking these young talents on international trips, they get to interact with players from diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and skill levels, providing a comprehensive understanding of the global soccer community. It gives players the chance to showcase their skills on a global stage, highlighting that talent knows no bounds and transcends race, ethnicity, or nationality.

Secondly, diversity in soccer promotes social inclusion and combats discrimination. It sends a powerful message that everyone, regardless of their race, gender, or background, can participate and excel in the sport. Diversity fosters a sense of unity and harmony, encouraging individuals to work together and celebrate differences.

Players get to witness firsthand how soccer is played and celebrated in different parts of the globe. They learn to appreciate the diversity of the sport and the invaluable life skills that come with navigating through unfamiliar territories.

These trips will not only provide valuable exposure to the global soccer community but also emphasize the importance of embracing diversity within the sport abroad and in America. Team Give & Go is playing a vital role in shaping a brighter and more diverse future for soccer and its aspiring athletes.

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What's The Impact of Pay To Play Model In US?

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Pay To Play Is harmful to American Soccer

The "pay-to-play" model in American youth soccer refers to a system in which young players and their families are required to pay fees to participate in organized soccer programs, typically through clubs or academies. This model has been scrutinized lately from a number of notable players like Alex Morgan on the development of soccer in the United States. We tend to side with Alex on this. Look at the pro’s and con’s of the pay for play model.

Positive Impacts:

  1. Access to Resources: Pay-to-play clubs often provide resources and coaching that can help young players develop their skills. These clubs may have well-maintained facilities, experienced coaches, and access to tournaments and competitions that can be beneficial for player development.

  2. Structured Development: Pay-to-play clubs can offer structured and organized development pathways, with teams at different skill levels. This can help players progress and improve their abilities.

  3. Competition: Pay-to-play programs often feature competitive leagues and tournaments, which can help players test their skills and improve by playing against strong opponents.

Negative Impacts:

  1. Barriers to Entry: The most significant drawback of the pay-to-play model is that it creates financial barriers for many young players and their families. The cost of participation, including club fees, travel, equipment, and other expenses, can be prohibitive for some.

  2. Limited Diversity: The pay-to-play model often results in a lack of diversity in the sport, as it disproportionately affects lower-income communities. This can limit the talent pool and overall diversity in soccer.

  3. Talent Development Gap: Many talented players may be excluded from the system due to financial constraints, limiting the talent pool from which top players can be identified and developed.

  4. Pressure on Young Athletes: The financial investment required in the pay-to-play model can put a lot of pressure on young athletes and their families. There is a risk of focusing more on financial commitment than player development.

  5. Inequality: The model can reinforce inequality within youth soccer, as players from affluent families may have access to better coaching and resources, creating disparities in opportunities.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to address the issues associated with the pay-to-play model in American soccer. Efforts are being made to reduce financial barriers, increase accessibility, and create pathways for talented players from all backgrounds to participate and succeed in the sport. Initiatives such as scholarship programs, grassroots development, and community-based soccer have aimed to make the sport more inclusive.

It's important to note that the impact of the pay-to-play model can vary depending on the specific club, region, and age group. Overall, addressing the challenges associated with this model is a priority for those looking to promote soccer development in the United States like Team Give & Go, who is trying to make the sport more accessible to a wider range of young players.

Team Give & Go Soccer Camp Provided Parents and Players With More Than Skills Training.

L-R Top Tarik Scott FC Dallas MLS, Coach Lee, Coach Cruz, Taylor Cheatham, UCLA, Victoria Peterson SMU, Troy Jones Co-Founder TG&G / Bottom: Payten Cooper Solar Soccer Club, Ahnali Quinn FC Dallas 07 ECNL, Coda Jones Solar Soccer Club, Alex Quinn Howard Mens Soccer.

One of the premier soccer organizations catered towards providing more opportunities and visibility for youth, college and professional players of color wrapped up their first soccer camp on July 22nd, 2023. The much anticipated and free camp was executed flawlessly and featured collegiate players, professional players, a nutritionist, a recovery specialist, as well as, one of the biggest names in soccer training - Coach Cruz from Cruz Coaching.

“We wanted to give the the campers more than just skills training. We wanted them to understand that there are many faucets to becoming a world class player; like eating healthy and the necessary recovery treatments athletes can do before and after the game “- says Co-Founder T.Lynn Jones.

Players and parents were treated to a wealth of valuable information rarely seen at a soccer camp. One of the highlights featured both players and parents participating in Active Release Treatment (ART) sponsored by Dallas Sports & Recovery. Active Release Techniques (ART) are a soft tissue method that focuses on relieving tissue tension via the removal of fibrosis/adhesions which can develop in tissues as a result of overload due to repetitive use.

Mel from Dallas Sports & Recovery gives a sample treatment to player.

Some of those in attendance included: Tarik Scott of FC Dallas MLS; Taylor Cheatham, UCLA; Victoria Peterson SMU,, Rammell from Dallas Sports & Recovery, Tina Wilson YB Health & Fitness and previously crowned 2023 ECNL National Championship players.

Team Give & Go is a non profit 510(c)(3) based in the DFW Metroplex. For more information or to get in contact please email troy@teamgiveandgo.com or tlynn@teamgiveandgo.com.

TG&G would like to thank our sponsor Dicks Sporting Goods and their Sports Matters Organization for helping make this all possible.

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The Importance of Diversity In Soccer

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Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of people playing and watching it every day. It is a sport that brings people together, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or nationality. However, despite its universal appeal, soccer has struggled with issues of diversity and inclusivity, particularly at the youth level in America.

The importance of diversity in soccer cannot be overstated. Diversity brings different perspectives, experiences, and skills to the game, making it more exciting, dynamic, and innovative.

It also helps to break down barriers and stereotypes, promoting acceptance and understanding among players and fans alike.

One of the key benefits of diversity in soccer is the ability to tap into a wider range of talent. By embracing players from different backgrounds, teams can access a wealth of skills and abilities that might otherwise be overlooked. This not only makes the game more competitive but also helps to create a more level playing field, where players are judged on their merits rather than their race, gender, or nationality.

In addition, diversity in soccer opens up new markets and audiences, helping to grow the sport and reach new fans around the world. By showcasing players from different backgrounds, soccer can become a truly global sport, appealing to people of all ages, races, and cultures.

However, despite the many benefits of diversity, soccer still faces significant challenges in promoting inclusivity and equality. Issues of racism, sexism, and homophobia continue to plague the sport, both on and off the field. In order to truly embrace diversity, soccer must work to address these issues head-on, through education, training, and policy changes.

Overall, the importance of diversity in soccer cannot be overstated. By embracing players from all backgrounds and promoting inclusivity and equality, soccer can become a truly global sport, appealing to people of all ages, races, and cultures. It is up to all of us - players, fans, coaches, and administrators - to work together to make this vision a reality.

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CONTINENTAL TIRE ECNL NATIONAL SELECTION GAME HOUSTON ROSTERS

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ECNL GIRLS ANNOUNCES ROSTERS FOR CONTINENTAL TIRE ECNL NATIONAL SELECTION GAME

RICHMOND, Va. (February 14, 2023) – The ECNL Girls is excited to announce the rosters for the Continental Tire National Selection Game. The National Selection Game in Houston will take place at Meyer Park Field on February 18, 2023, at 6:00 PM on Field 4 and will be live streamed here. The game will feature players from the U16-U18/19 age groups.

The Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Games are “all-star” matches that bring top players at each regular season ECNL National Event together for representative competition on the first day of the event. They are one component of the ECNL National Selection Program, which encompasses all player identification and development programs within the league. 

Players were selected for the games by ECNL Player Identification staff through a combination of scouting and recommendations based on performances over the past several months. These athletes will not compete for their clubs on this day in order to properly rest and prepare for the National Selection Game. 

Rosters

East

Kelby Dansby (Sting Dallas Black)

Neliaj Deleon (Classics Elite SA)

Mia Draper Kunz (Eastside FC)

Landry Fieker (Tulsa SC)

Avery Fitzgerald (FC Wisconsin)

Helen Ghertner (Tennessee SC)

Kennedy Husbands (Sting Dallas Royal)

Allison Macke (Sporting Iowa)

Fiona Mahan (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)

Ashley Moody (Real Colorado National)

Brilynn Mueller (Kansas City Athletics)

Maddie Padelski (Tennessee SC)

Gabrielle Poretto (Eclipse Select SC)

Leslie Razo (Dallas Texans)

Carisma Rosales (Eclipse Select SC)

Grace Smith (Challenge SC)

Grace Vest (Sporting Blue Valley)

Kenley Whittaker (Northwest Elite FC)

West

Ava Amsden (Colorado Rapids)

Payten Cooper (Solar SC)

Hadley Delaney (Utah Avalanche)

Macey Fothergill (Pride SC)

Celina Frenz (Real Colorado National)

Narissa Fults (Oklahoma Energy FC)

Allison Goodwin (Albion Hurricanes FC)

Arriannah King (Seattle United)

Allie Love (DKSC)

Maggie Manning (DKSC)

Sophia Martelli (Atlanta Fire)

Isabella Martinez (FC Dallas)

Madeline Munguia (Pacific Northwest Soccer Club)

Teagan Myers (Colorado Rapids)

Taylor Person (FC Dallas)

Kylie Snell (Sting Austin)

Alex Tay (Seattle United)

Sienna Ward (Crossfire Premier)

To view a full list of the rosters for the National Selection Game, click here.

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About the ECNL:

The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential. 

The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.

The ECNL Commitment:

We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.

www.TheECNL.com 

Girls FB:  /ECNLGirls |  Girls IG: @ECNLGirls  | Girls TW: @ECNLGirls


USWNT roster announced for 2023 SheBelieves Cup

USWNT roster announced for 2023 SheBelieves Cup

CHICAGO – U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has named the 23-player roster for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.

Twenty-two of the players were with the USA for the successful trip to New Zealand in January that featured two wins over the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup cohost Football Ferns. Veteran forward Megan Rapinoe returns to the roster with a chance to hit 200 caps during the tournament. She is currently on 197.

The 2023 SheBelieves Cup kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 16 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., as Japan takes on Brazil (4 p.m. ET) and the USA faces Canada (7 p.m. ET). The tournament resumes on Sunday, Feb. 19, as the competition moves to Nashville’s GEODIS Park with the USA playing the first match of the day against Japan (2:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. ET) and Brazil facing Canada (5:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. ET) in the nightcap. The tournament concludes on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, with Canada taking on Japan (3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET) and the USA facing Brazil in the tournament finale (6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET).

All four nations will be participating in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer and all four are ranked in the top 11 in the world with the USA at No. 1, Canada at No. 6, Brazil at No. 9 and Japan at No. 11.

Defender Tierna Davidson, a 2019 Women’s World Cup champion and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, is in the final stages of her recovery from an ACL injury and will participate in the first part of the Training Camp in Orlando but will not be on the tournament roster.

“All three of these matches are great opportunities for the players and coaches as we enter the final stretch to choose the World Cup roster,” said Andonovski. “To get to play three top teams, all who are in the World Cup, over seven days, will test our team mentally and physically, and that’s exactly what we need at this point in our preparations. We still have a few players in the pool recovering from injuries, but we are confident that they will be ready for selection for our April matches.”

Forward Alex Morgan, who comes into the SheBelieves Cup with 201 matches played for the USWNT, will be honored before the opening match in Orlando for earning her historic 200th cap, that coming against Germany in the final match of 2022 in Harrison, N.J. Morgan played at Exploria Stadium for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL from 2017-2021.

The SheBelieves Cup, part of U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves initiative to inspire and empower women and girls to achieve their goals in sport and beyond, was first played in 2016. The USA won the inaugural edition and France took top honors in 2017. The USA won again in 2018, and England finished first in 2019, but the USA returned to the top of the podium in 2020, the first title for Andonovski, and took top honors in both 2021 and 2022.

U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; CAPS/GOALS) – 2023 SHEBELIEVES CUP:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current; 10), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 12), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 87)

DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 21/0), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 24/0), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 128/24), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 12/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 27/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 212/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 70/1)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 123/26), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC; 9/2), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 86/24), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 47/7), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 19/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 39/3)

FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 15/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 201/120), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 22/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 197/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 12/2), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars; 84/28), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 49/15)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  • The roster features five players with 100 caps or more in defender Becky Sauerbrunn (212), Alex Morgan (201), Megan Rapinoe (197), Crystal Dunn (128) and Lindsey Horan (123).

  • Should Rapinoe appear in all three matches for the USA at the SheBelieves Cup, she will become the 14th player in USWNT history to reach the 200-cap milestone. The two other active members of the USA’s 200-cap club – Sauerbrunn and Morgan – are also on this roster.

  • The roster features 11 players with 27 or fewer caps, but only one with single digit caps in Taylor Kornieck (9).

  • Morgan is by far the leading scorer on the roster with 120 career goals, good for fifth in U.S. history. Megan Rapinoe has 63 career international goals, Swanson has 28 and Horan has 26 while both Dunn and Rose Lavelle have 24.

  • Sixteen players on this roster were on the roster for the 2022 SheBelieves Cup.

  • Eight of the 12 NWSL clubs are represented on this roster, led by five players from OL Reign, four players from the Washington Spirit and three players each NY/NJ Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC.

  • This will be Tierna Davidson’s first action with the USWNT since the 2022 SheBelieves Cup in which she played in all three matches. She suffered her knee injury in late March of 2022 while training with the Chicago Red Stars. She has 48 caps.

  • At the World Cup, which is taking place from July 20-Aug. 20 in 10 stadiums across nine host cities — five in Australia and four in New Zealand — the USA will open Group E play against Vietnam on July 22 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, which will also serve as the host venue for the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 World Cup on July 20 when New Zealand plays Norway. The USA then faces Netherlands on July 27 at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, followed by the Group A Playoff Winner on Aug. 1 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.