U.S. U-20 MNT's John Requejo solidifies craft at left back

U.S. U-20 MNT defender and recent Club Tijuana signing John Requejo chatted with me during the 2014 National Training Center Invitational to talk about his role at left back, while Tab Ramos also praised his attacking prowess from the back.

My Suburban Life: Eclipse Select's Biegalski and Lundgren

Eclipse Select's Jenna Lundgren (Elmhurst, Ill.) and Camryn Biegalski (Lombard, Ill.) of the U-15 Elite Clubs National League squad recently spoke with My Suburban Life's Dan Santaromita following their 2013-14 season.

"It's the highest level you can play in club," said Biegalski, who will be a junior at Glenbard East in the fall.

"There's a lot more pressure because you want to do well," Lundgren said. "You want to do better than last time and it's really nerve wrecking. It's really exciting to play because the fact that you got there is amazing."

For the full story, visit MySuburbanLife.com.

Eclipse Select partners with Pass It On, Inc., to reach out to local youth

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club is proud to announce a partnership with non-profit Pass It On, Inc., a scholarship foundation that provides youth athletes with the opportunity to compete in club soccer despite his or her family's financial hardships.

Along with the partnership, Eclipse Select is also hosting a walkathon during its annual kick-off event on Sunday, Aug. 17, in Oak Brook, Ill., to raise funds for Pass It On that will go toward giving local youth players the chance to play for Eclipse Select.

Since our formation as a club in 1995, it has always been of great importance to give back to those without the means to afford such an experience," Eclipse Select President Rory Dames said. "The opportunity to play soccer and interact with our community-driven club has been worthwhile for everyone who has been involved with Eclipse Select, so it's important and it's also a privilege to reach out to those aspiring youth players through scholarships and fundraising efforts. We are excited about forming this partnership."

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

YNT Influence: LA Galaxy U-17/18 forward Jaime Villarreal

LA Galaxy U-17/18 forward Jaime Villarreal, who was a recent call-up to the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team, spoke with me about the impact he has at the club level after representing the USA stage. I also chatted with his head coach, former Chicago Fire great Ante Razov, as well as Villarreal's Galaxy teammate Christian Chavez.

Eclipse Select U-16 and U-17 squads advance to ECNL National Finals

Zoe Redei (15) scored five goals to lead the
Eclipse Select U-16 ECNL team to three
wins in Washington and advance to the
ECNL National Finals.

Eclipse Select Soccer Club’s U-16 and U-17 teams will take to the national stage in Richmond, Va., when they compete in the Elite Clubs National League’s national finals. The two sides won their respective groups this past week at 60-Acre Park in Redmond, Wash.

Eclipse Select is among a group of eight teams that will compete in the ECNL Champions League at their respective age groups. The tournament draw takes place on July 12, followed by games on July 13, 14, 15 and 17.

Eclipse Select has certainly had its share of ECNL success, specifically this season with the U-16 group, which earned the U-15 national title in 2013. Last year’s Eclipse Select U-23s also won the national crown, and Eclipse Select’s 2010-11 ECNL season included the Overall Club National Champion accolade.

2014 ECNL National Finals: July 12-17 in Richmond, Va.

• ECNL U-16 Champions League: Dallas Sting, Dallas Texans, Eclipse Select, FC Dallas, PDA, Real Colorado, San Diego Surf, Slammers FC
• ECNL U-17 Champions League: Dallas Sting, Dallas Texans, Eclipse Select, GSA, PDA, San Diego Surf, So Cal Blues, West Coast FC

For the latest Eclipse Select news, visit EclipseSelect.org. For Elite Clubs National League news, visit EliteClubsNationalLeague.com.

Wondolowski's impact on San Jose Earthquakes Academy

Stephen Wondolowski, the head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes U-15/16 Development Academy team, and a couple of his players spoke with me during the Academy Playoffs about 2014 FIFA World Cup forward Chris Wondolowski and his impact on the club's youth system.

Two penalty kicks lift Chicago Magic PSG to U-15/16 Academy Quarters

Chicago Magic PSG's Stephen Payne

The Chicago Magic U-15/16 team’s 2013-14 Development Academy season was on the brink. Down a goal to Kendall SC in group play at the Academy Playoffs at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, the Magic rallied with two Luka Prpa penalty kicks to earn a 2-1 victory and win Group E.

Kendall was in the driver’s seat entering the game with six points and needing a draw or a victory to win the group. The Miami-based side also had a first-half goal to its name against Chicago Magic PSG.

But the Magic showcased a string of scoring chances and had a nose for the box to draw two penalties and several other moments in the offensive third.

“We all just stuck together, kept going, and just played as a team, and it worked out great for us,” Prpa said. “In the first half they put us under pressure, and then we brought it together at halftime and we really picked it up a lot in the second half. We wanted this badly, for our coaches, for our parents, for everybody. We all wanted it.”

For more, visit ussoccer.com.

Yedlin's rise inspiring Academy players at Seattle Sounders FC

DeAndre Yedlin's former Development Academy coach Dick McCormick and a couple Seattle Sounders FC Academy players chatted with me about Yedlin's rise professionally and internationally at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.