Sports
What Makes a Good Soccer Coach for Young Chicago Players
In Chicago, soccer is more than a sport — it’s a passion, a way for kids to stay active and a launchpad for lifelong skills. But one of the most important factors in a child’s soccer journey is the person guiding them on the field. So, what makes a good youth soccer coach — especially […]

In Chicago, soccer is more than a sport — it’s a passion, a way for kids to stay active and a launchpad for lifelong skills. But one of the most important factors in a child’s soccer journey is the person guiding them on the field. So, what makes a good youth soccer coach — especially for families in Chicago looking to maximize their child’s experience?
Thomas Cahue, Director of Coaching at Paris Saint-Germain Academy Chicago, has the answer. With decades of experience both playing and coaching, he knows what it takes to nurture players in a way that leads to growth — in skill, confidence and character.
PSG Academy Chicago is part of the prestigious international Paris Saint-Germain network, with access to elite methodology, global training opportunities and a deep commitment to player development. Whether a child is just starting out or dreaming of playing professionally, PSG offers a structure that supports every stage of the journey.
It starts with experience — and empathy
When thinking about how to find a youth soccer coach who will truly connect with kids, start with their background and mindset.
“When we hire coaches, we look for people who are already involved in the sport,” says Cahue. “Whether that’s through playing or coaching, they need to understand the game and the environment.”
But being skilled on the field isn’t enough. Cahue says the best coaches go beyond drills and tactics — they’re mentors. “They should be someone who understands where a kid is coming from, emotionally and socially, and how to support them.”

Communication is key
A great coach doesn’t just talk — they listen. Cahue says setting clear expectations with players and parents from day one is critical. “This is what you can expect from me, and this is what I’ll expect from your child,” he says. That kind of upfront clarity builds trust.
Parents should also feel confident that coaches are approachable. “If a child is off their game, we notice,” says Cahue. “We check in. Sometimes there’s something going on at home or school, and that touchpoint makes a big difference.”
Wondering how to choose a youth soccer coach in your area?
Start by watching a session — and look for structure, not chaos.
“Every PSG session follows a structure,” Cahue explains. “We start with an activation game, then technical drills with lots of touches on the ball, then we move into decision-making games and finally an evaluation.”
He notes that each child should be constantly involved — not standing in line waiting for a turn. “You need repetition. The ratio should be two or three kids per ball, not one ball for a whole team.”

What you should know about certifications
While coaching certifications aren’t the only measure of quality, Cahue says they show a coach’s willingness to learn and grow.
In the U.S., coaches begin with grassroots-level certification and progress through a tiered system: D, C, B, A Youth and Pro licenses. Advancement between levels takes time and practical experience — often six months to two years between stages — allowing coaches to absorb and apply new knowledge.
Europe’s UEFA licensing system uses a similar A–B–C structure, and some coaches hold credentials from both systems.
“We help our coaches understand not just PSG methodology, but how to navigate the licensing process,” says Cahue.
So while a coach without top-tier credentials may still be excellent, a pattern of avoiding formal training altogether could be worth a second look. For Chicago parents wondering how to choose a qualified soccer coach, it’s worth asking about both credentials and practical coaching style.
Red flags to watch for
Not all coaching is created equal. According to Cahue, parents should be cautious if:
- Sessions lack structure and variety
- Coaches focus only on physical fitness
- Communication with families is minimal or reactive
- Players are told what to do but not taught why
“Kids need to be part of the process,” he says. “If they can’t explain what they’re doing or why, they’re just following instructions — not learning.”
Support your child’s journey

Ultimately, Cahue believes a great coach creates the right environment — one that supports development, fosters confidence and keeps soccer fun. “If a coach brings the right environment, your child will grow,” he says. “It’s about so much more than the game.”
In Chicago’s competitive youth soccer landscape, finding the right coach can make all the difference in your child’s success and enjoyment of the game.
This content is sponsored by Paris Saint-Germain Academy Chicago. Learn more about PSG at psgacademychicago.com.
Sports
Five Vikings earn All-Conference after day one
Story Links DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State University track and field claims two conference titles and record five All-Conference performance at day one of the North Star Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships. VCSU’s Karly Just started the day running the 10,000-meter in 40:04.61 claiming the conference title. […]

DICKINSON, N.D. – Valley City State University track and field claims two conference titles and record five All-Conference performance at day one of the North Star Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
VCSU’s Karly Just started the day running the 10,000-meter in 40:04.61 claiming the conference title.
Viking freshman Jordan Mount later claimed a conference title of his own in the 400-meter running a 48.94.
The Vikings had five athlete earning All-Conference honors. NSAA All-Conference is earned by finishing in the top three of an individual event. Joining Just and Mount were Kendra Odegard who earned second in the javelin with a 38.94-meter throw. Freshman Tayshaun Robinson took second in the 110-meter hurdles after running a 14.93. Cameron Champagnie a sophomore took second in the triple jump with a 14.03-meter attempt.
In the top eight was Emma Muggli in the 100-meter hurdles finishing in fourth running a 15.74. Muggli also took fourth in the triple jump with a 10.47-meter attempt and sixth in the javelin with a 35.55-meter throw. Just ahead of Muggli was Sadie Hansen who took fifth in the javelin with a 35.91-meter throw.
Aaron Cutshall took sixth in the triple jump with a 12.72-meter attempt and senior Rigo Garcia took seventh in the 10,000-meter running a 38.29.93.
View Complete Results
VCSU Women – Top 8 Finishes:
100m Hurdles: 4 Emma Muggli, SO, 15.74
10000m: 1 Karly Just, JR, 40:04.61
Triple Jump: 4 Emma Muggli, SO, 10.47m
Javelin: 2 Kendra Odegard, SR, 38.94m
Javelin: 5 Sadie Hansen, SR, 35.91m
Javelin: 6 Emma Muggli, SO, 35.55m
VCSU Men – Top 8 Finishes:
110m Hurdles: 2 Tayshaun Robinson, FR, 14.93
400m: 1 Jordan Mount, FR, 48.94
10000m: 7 Rigo Garcia, SR, 38:29.93
Triple Jump: 2 Cameron Champagnie, SO, 14.03m
Triple Jump: 6 Aaron Cutshall, SO, 12.72m
UP NEXT: The Vikings will compete in day two of the NSAA Conference Championships on Friday, May 9 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Sports
GCU visits Stanford on idle WAC weekend
Story Links Friday, May 9 – Sunday, May 11 | Klein Field at Sunken Diamond | Stanford, Calif. STANFORD CARDINAL (24-21, 9-18 ACC) vs. GRAND CANYON […]

Friday, May 9 – Sunday, May 11 | Klein Field at Sunken Diamond | Stanford, Calif.
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STANFORD
(24-21, 9-18 ACC)
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vs.
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GRAND CANYON
(28-20, 13-8 WAC)
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As a heated WAC race takes its final turn, all Grand Canyon can do is scoreboard watch from afar as the Lopes travel to Stanford for a nonconference weekend. With GCU returning to Sunken Diamond for the first time since 2020, the series gets underway on Friday at 6 p.m.
The three-game series will be streamed on ESPN+.
3 THINGS TO KNOW
- REMEMBERING: GCU last played at Stanford in 2020 as part of the 18-game reduced schedule before the season was halted. Current GCU assistant coach Channy Ortiz provided a memorable moment, hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the series opener at 2-2. GCU went on to win that game 5-3 in 18 innings.
- WAC RACE: The Lopes will sit the weekend out from WAC play and watch a heated conference race from afar. The No. 1 and 4 teams in the conference standings will play a three-game series as Sacramento State visits Utah Valley. Abilene Christian is also in the race for the pennant and will host Tarleton State for three. GCU could emerge from the weekend in a three-way tie for first if Utah Valley wins two of three against Sacramento State and Abilene Christian loses at least one game to Tarleton State.
- YORKE IN THE RECORDS: Junior first baseman Zach Yorke is chasing history as the regular season comes to a close. The new holder of the program’s Division I career home runs record after hitting his 30th and 31st homers on Tuesday, Yorke is also one RBI away from breaking a tie with Jacob Wilson for D-I career RBIs. Yorke also needs four hits to reach the 200-hit mark.
SCOUTING STANFORD
Stanford enters its final home series against Grand Canyon with a 24-21 record and a team searching for consistency following a challenging ACC debut campaign. After opening the season with a perfect 9-0 start—including sweeps of Cal State Fullerton and Washington—the Cardinal have gone 9-18 since March 21, struggling in conference play with an 8.28 ERA and allowing 31 home runs in those games.
Despite its 9-18 ACC record, Stanford remains formidable out of conference at 15-3 and boasts a deep, experienced roster that returned nearly all of its at bats and innings from 2024. Offensive production has been steady, averaging 6.40 runs per game with a .300 team batting average and 53 home runs through 45 games. The Cardinal will host senior day on Sunday.
WHAT’S NEXT?
GCU plays its nonconference finale at Arizona State before finishing the regular season at Tarleton State.
For more GCU baseball news, notes and numbers, click here to view game notes.
Sports
East Texas A&M University track and field sprinter Ibrahim Fuseini named SLC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
East Texas A&M University track and field sprinter Ibrahim Fuseini has been named the Southland Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week on Wednesday. Fuseini (Accra, Ghana) had an impressive performance last week in Lubbock at the Corky/Crofoot Shootout. He raced in two races and both times are tops in the Southland. He started the day taking […]

East Texas A&M University track and field sprinter Ibrahim Fuseini has been named the Southland Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week on Wednesday.
Fuseini (Accra, Ghana) had an impressive performance last week in Lubbock at the Corky/Crofoot Shootout. He raced in two races and both times are tops in the Southland.
He started the day taking part in the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 38.98 seconds, which is a new school record, first in the Southland, and top 15 in the country. He also timed 10.03 seconds in the 100 meter dash, which is fastest in the SLC this year.
This is the second time this season that Fuseini has earned SLC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week award during the outdoor season. He is slated to compete for Ghana in the World Athletics Relay Championships this weekend in China. It is the ninth weekly honor for the Lions during the 2024-25 season.
The Lions ended their regular season in Lubbock last week and close out the 2024-25 season at the Southland Conference Championships next Thursday-Saturday in Houston.
2025 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Date | Track Athlete of the Week | Field Athlete of the Week |
Jan. 15 | Kiara Brown, East Texas A&M | Veronika Kramarenko, East Texas A&M |
Jan. 22 | Maygan Shaw, Northwestern State | Veronika Kramarenko, East Texas A&M |
Feb. 5 | Nayla Harris, UTRGV | Cyan Green, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
Feb. 19 | Eline Mast, HCU | Jaslyn Russell, McNeese |
Feb. 26 | Marvellous Aseemota, Southeastern | Bernesha Knowles, Northwestern State |
March 26 | Maygan Shaw, Northwestern State | Romi Griese, East Texas A&M |
April 2 | Nayla Harris, UTRGV | Cyan Green, A&M-Corpus Christi |
April 9 | Esther Nwanze, Southeastern | Samari Finney, Northwestern State |
April 16 | Maygan Shaw, Northwestern State | Isa Gonzalez-Velasquez, UIW |
April 23 | Nia Clatworthy, Lamar | Romi Griese, East Texas A&M |
April 30 | Maygan Shaw, Northwestern State | Hannah Hilding, UTRGV |
May 7 | Nayla Harris, UTRGV | Hannah Hilding, UTRGV |
2025 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE MEN’S TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Date | Track Athlete of the Week | Field Athlete of the Week |
Jan. 15 | Ondray Miles, McNeese | Chris Calloura, McNeese |
Jan. 22 | Vincent Graiani, Northwestern State | Terrell Webb, Southeastern |
Feb. 5 | Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M | Josh Gillis-Harry, HCU |
Feb. 19 | Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M | Marcus Francis, McNeese |
Feb. 26 | Euan Lagan, Southeastern | Donroy Brown, Southeastern |
March 26 | Marcus Francis, McNeese | Jamari Harts, UTRGV |
April 2 | Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M | Marcus Francis, McNeese |
April 9 | Elijah Rowe, Northwestern State | Marcus Francis, McNeese |
April 16 | Corin Burns, UTRGV | Dadrian Calhoun, HCU |
April 23 | Edouard Lecrivain, HCU | Dadrian Calhoun, HCU |
April 30 | Vincente Graiani, Northwestern State | Christopher Murphy, New Orleans |
May 7 | Ibrahim Fuseini, East Texas A&M | Emmanuel Ekuma, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
Source and photo credit: lionathletics.com
Sports
Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps
Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach camp is in full swing. From beginning to expert, a summer of focused volleyball instruction on the beach in smaller teams ensures players get more contacts per hour, learn how to communicate and work better […]

Summer is coming.
For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach camp is in full swing. From beginning to expert, a summer of focused volleyball instruction on the beach in smaller teams ensures players get more contacts per hour, learn how to communicate and work better on a team, and continue their love for the sport over the summer months.
“There’s more to volleyball than playing inside. Although it’s the same sport, it’s different in how we train, and overall, learning to play outdoors rounds out our players’ skills and teaches them work ethic, focus and determination, all while having fun with their friends and teammates” said Kyle Weindel, associate club director.
Beach camp coaches teach beginning to expert players from ages 8-16, grouped by age and ability, ensuring that everyone is receiving appropriate instruction. Beginners are taught the basic fundamentals needed to have fun playing, and advanced players learn skills to fine-tune their game, such as ball control, reading opponents movements, doubles strategy and serving. Both beginners and advanced players are welcome at the Sunshine beach camps because the community and fellowship of the program is unmatched, Weindel said.
“The most important part of the camp is having fun. We want every player to have individualized attention from the coaches, so there’s a lot of interaction, a lot of fun. We’re in the business of providing opportunities for young girls and want to provide as many opportunities to play this game as we can,” Weindel said. “Volleyball is a loved sport, and during the summer, our methods of teaching and drills are engaging, effective and fun for girls of all ages.”
Sunshine Beach Camp is an extension of Sunshine Volleyball Club’s successful indoor program, a program that has instilled the love of volleyball in girls since 1998. Over the last three years, both indoor and outdoor volleyball programs have seen growth.
“Sunshine has doubled in size and we’re up over 600 players and over 50 teams on the indoor side. We’re really looking forward to expanding our beach camps as well that regularly see 300 to 500 kids per summer,” Weindel said.
Sunshine comprises top-tier coaches dedicated to the sport year-round. Chris Flood, the current beach director, has coached on an Olympic level and assists volleyball at Pepperdine, another one is the head coach of the ninth-ranked California Golden Bears. Many coaches are also players, including one on the fourth-ranked beach volleyball team at UCLA and another one on the seventh-ranked team at Stanford, and several who play professionally in Italy and Germany and U.S. national indoor teams.
Joining a summer team for the love of the sport is a valuable experience for time management, goal setting and training ahead of the school year.
Westside Beach Camp is in session from June 9 to Aug. 15 at Will Rogers State Beach, tower 15. Players can enroll by the week or by the day. Daily registration costs $80 per day, weekly registration costs $340 per week. Early bird registration before May 1st is $300 per week.
South Bay Beach Camp runs from June 16 to Aug. 8. Weekly and daily registration is available. The cost is $270 per week or $70 per day. Early bird registration for South Bay Beach Camp at $255 per week ends May 1.
To learn more about Sunshine Westside Beach Camp visit, https://sunshinevolleyballclub.com/programs/beach-camp/westside/. Information on South Bay Beach Camp can be found here: https://sunshinevolleyballclub.com/programs/beach-camp/south-bay/.
Sports
College Squash Association Recognizes Navy Trio with Scholar-Athlete Award
Story Links Navy squash standouts Lucas Spiro (Jr / Buffalo, N.Y.), Matt Wang (Sr / Malvern, Pa.) and Alexander Orr (Jr / Haverford, Pa.) are recipients of the 2024-25 College Squash Association Scholar-Athlete Award it was recently announced by the CSA. The award recognizes a distingquished group of juniors and seniors […]

Navy squash standouts Lucas Spiro (Jr / Buffalo, N.Y.), Matt Wang (Sr / Malvern, Pa.) and Alexander Orr (Jr / Haverford, Pa.) are recipients of the 2024-25 College Squash Association Scholar-Athlete Award it was recently announced by the CSA. The award recognizes a distingquished group of juniors and seniors who have demonstrated excellence both on and off the court.
The Scholar-Athlete Award is granted to student-athletes who have competed in the majority of their team’s matches in a top-10 ladder position, while achieving high academic standing at their respective institution. This recognition reflects the CSA’s deep commitment to the core values of college squash: competitive excellence, academic integrity and personal growth. Scholar-athletes represent what is possible when passion for sport is matched by dedication in the classroom. These student-athletes model the discipline, focus and determination that define the best of college athletics.
A four-time MASC All-Academic selection and two-time CSA Scholar-Athlete honoree, Spiro will graduate this Memorial Day weekend ranked among the top 3 percent of his class (1,069 students) in Academic Order of Merit. Spiro, who is a Trident Scholar at the Naval Academy, owns a 3.96 grade-point average in astrophysics. He has been named to the Superintendent’s (3x), Commandant’s (6x) and Dean’s Lists (3x) multiple times over his four years at the Academy. Upon graduation, Spiro will be commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy and attend flight school.
Wang, a three-time member of the MASC All-Academic Team and a two-time CSA Scholar-Athlete selection, boasts a 3.51 GPA majoring in mathematics with economics. Ranked among the top 35 percent in the graduating class in Academic Order of Merit, he has been named to the Commandant’s List six times, the Dean’s List three times and the Superintendent’s List once. Upon graduation, Wang will be commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy and will serve among the submarine community.
Orr is a first-time CSA Scholar-Athlete honoree who owns a 3.78 GPA as a member of the honors program in naval architecture and marine engineering. A three-time MASC All-Academic selection, Orr stands among the top 20 percent of his class of 1,092 students in both Overall and Academic Order of Merit.
### Go Navy ###
Sports
MLC men garner 11 UMAC track and field honors, women 3 | News, Sports, Jobs
Courtesy of Adam Hussman/MLC SID ST. PAUL – The Martin Luther College men’s track and field achieved another major accomplishment on Wednesday, picking up 11 All-Conference selections, the most in program history. On Saturday, the Knights took home their first UMAC Outdoor Championship as a member of the NCAA (previous UMAC Championship came in 1998 […]

Courtesy of Adam Hussman/MLC SID
ST. PAUL – The Martin Luther College men’s track and field achieved another major accomplishment on Wednesday, picking up 11 All-Conference selections, the most in program history. On Saturday, the Knights took home their first UMAC Outdoor Championship as a member of the NCAA (previous UMAC Championship came in 1998 and 1999 as a member of the NAIA), scoring 234 points, beating out UW-Superior (212 points).
To earn All-Conference recognition, an individual or relay team must finish first or second in an event on Friday or Saturday of the UMAC Championships. MLC had 10 student-athletes hit that mark, making them eligible for the postseason awards.
Arthur Robinson was named the Top Scoring Athlete of the meet (given to the best all-around performance of the meet) and the Rookie of the Year. The MLC men’s coaching staff was also given the Coaching Staff of the Year award after winning first place at the UMAC Championships.
The following individuals were named to the All-Conference team, and the events that gave them a spot can be seen below:
Arthur Robinson – 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Daniel Ertman – 400m, 4x400m relay
Daniel Reinke – Discus
Lucas Holtz – 4x100m relay
Matthew Hillmer – 400m hurdles, 4x100m relay
Micah Schibbelhut – 4x400m relay, (All-Sportsmanship Team)
Ryan Schmidt – 4x400m relay
R.J. Perry – Discus, Shot Put, Hammer Throw
Sam Plocher – 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, High Jump
Stephen Wietzke – 100m, 200m, 4x100m
WOMEN’S TRACK
AND FIELD
The MLC women’s outdoor track and field team was given three All-Conference selections after their performance at the UMAC Championships this past weekend.
The Knights took third at the Championships, scoring a total of 127 points.
To earn All-Conference recognition, an athlete must finish either first or second in an individual event or relay race.
Jemimah Habben, Elise Nolte, and Madelinn Romsdahl were the three MLC student-athletes to receive All-UMAC honors. Habben finished the 3000m steeplechase in second after her MLC record-setting time of 12:03.94, while Nolte also broke the MLC record in the hammer throw, heaving the hammer 41.30 meters for second.
Romsdahl placed second in the discus throw after a mark of 39.26 meters, which was a personal and meet record.
Ella Schlei was voted to the All-Sportsmanship team, representing the MLC women’s team.
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