Weston McKennie is one of soccer's most unique talents. But Weston would be the first to admit that his meteoric rise to playing for Italy's biggest club and representing the United States on the world’s stage is grounded in the help, commitment and sacrifice of teammates, family, friends, and coaches.
Ever wonder how college athletes balance it all? Between eating well, staying fit and having a social life, college athletes have much more on their plates than most college students. One thing all college athletes have in common is their focus on putting the right food in their bodies. Peanuts are a great snack for college athletes and especially for soccer players because they provide the fat necessary to give sustained energy when doing intense exercise like running up and down a field.
Ever wonder how college athletes balance it all? Between eating well, staying fit and having a social life, college athletes have much more on their plates than most college students. One thing all college athletes have in common is their focus on putting the right food in their bodies. Peanuts are a great snack for college athletes and especially for soccer players because they provide the fat necessary to give sustained energy when doing intense exercise like running up and down a field.
There is nothing wrong with watching a soccer game alone, but hear us out: why don't you throw an unforgettable party? Sure, there will be people asking you what an offside is or suggesting that soccer goals need to be bigger to have more enticing scoreboards, but that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating this event that occurs once every four years.
Soccer in New Zealand is physical, competitive and for me it was an important part of my everyday life back home.
Due to the country being small, New Zealand doesn’t have its own professional league. There is only one professional men’s soccer club in the country. Unlike Europe or other parts of the world, this makes the pathway to a professional contract unorthodox and the lack of systems in place mean that you must pave your own way.
Imagine kicking soccer balls at an 18-foot-tall dart board, dodging giant exercise balls while dribbling through a maze of cones, a catapult launching soccer balls from 40 yards away and shooting through seemingly peanut-sized targets. Daunting, sure, but add in a teammate and it becomes an exhilarating afternoon of cooperation.
Imagine kicking soccer balls at an 18-foot-tall dart board, dodging giant exercise balls while dribbling through a maze of cones, a catapult launching soccer balls from 40 yards away and shooting through seemingly peanut-sized targets. Daunting, sure, but add in a teammate and it becomes an exhilarating afternoon of cooperation.
The soccer landscape has seen some major changes over the past couple decades. A Millennial reflecting on their soccer days will have some entirely different stories than a kid playing soccer today.
Here are some of those similarities between what a Millennial player and what someone from Gen Z playing today might experience.
Landon Donovan is royalty in U.S. Soccer. His career is full of moments that inspired many to follow in his footsteps and keep writing history for the Stars and Stripes.
When you sit next to him, you can feel the greatness he embodies, but you also can hear the voice of a man who chased his dreams until they were fulfilled.
And how did it start?
We've teamed up with our friends over at the National Peanut Board to challenge you and a friend to try to beat U.S. legends Landon Donovan and Jordan Morris in a peanut juggling challenge.
Take a look at how they did: