MLS official YouTube channels 2013

+ Major League Soccer official YouTube channel

And below each team's official YouTube channel:

+ Chicago Fire
+ Chivas USA
+ Colorado Rapids
+ Columbus Crew
+ DC United
+ FC Dallas
+ Houston Dynamo
+ LA Galaxy
+ Montreal Impact
+ New England Revolution
+ New York Red Bulls
+ Philadelphia Union
+ Portland Timbers
+ Real Salt Lake
+ San Jose Earthquakes
+ Sporting Kansas City
+ Seattle Sounders
+ Toronto FC
+ Vancouver Whitecaps

And be sure to check out the entire listing: Official YouTube Football/Soccer Channels

Video via Major League Soccer official YouTube channel

Six-a-side with Memphis forward Mark Sherrod

This summer, the University of Memphis men's soccer program transitions from Conference USA to the Big East; a critically important aspect of this passage into the new conference will be the play of standout forward Mark Sherrod. The Tigers junior ended the 2012 season with 12 goals and four assists earning his second straight C-USA Offensive Player of the Year award.

With Major League Soccer praise-worthy posts already published and with experience playing for the Portland Timbers U-23 squad, Sherrod appears capable of making the college-to-pro jump at the conclusion of his Memphis career.

The Knoxville native kindly spoke via phone yesterday with Football Friendlies about the scrimmage with FC Dallas, the balance between academics and athletics and the awesomeness of Jimmy Buffett.

1. You recently competed in a scrimmage with Major League Soccer side FC Dallas scoring a goal in the process. What did you take from the experience?

It was a great feeling, obviously, being able to score against professional players but our team didn't win which mattered most. Overall, an amazing experience, observing and learning from professionals.

2. How are you able to balance your academic and athletic responsibilities?

It's pretty tough, to be honest. You decide each day how to commit your time because after practice as soon as I come home it's straight to the books. It really is a balance between the two; I find it helps to work a nap in there.

3. What's your take on the team's move from Conference USA to the Big East starting July 1?

Conference USA has been amazing with some of the best teams in the country; three or four a year are invited to the NCAA Tournament. But the move to the Big East is huge and there are some top teams in the conference like UConn. It will be fun to travel to the schools; the competition alone will be worth it.

And three for fun:

4. Best off campus food/restaurant?

The Chinese Sub Shop [aka Super Submarine Sandwich Shop] is this great hole-in-the-wall place that makes the best sandwiches.

5. Playing on the iPod?

On the iPod, I have to be honest, it's Jimmy Buffett.

6. Player or club you supported growing up?

I still am a huge Arsenal fan. I always admired both Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, two great Arsenal forwards.



More Six-a-side Spring 2013:
+ Spencer Richey - University of Washington
+ Magnus Thorsson - Winthrop University

Links:
1) TopDrawerSoccer.com (written by J.R. Eskilson & Travis Clark)
2) Official website of Memphis Athletics
3) Video link via SIDMemphis YouTube Channel.
4) FCDallas.com
5) Official website of Memphis Athletics
6) Mark Sherrod Twitter (@marksherrod2)
7) Yelp.com

Mark Sherrod 2012 highlight video via SIDMemphis YouTube Channel.

Photo Credit: University of Memphis Athletics Communications

Six-a-side with UW goalkeeper Spencer Richey

Last fall, University of Washington goalkeeper Spencer Richey helped the Huskies return to the NCAA Tournament; the men's soccer program last enjoyed a run at the end-of-season competition back in 2007.

The junior played every minute of every match in 2012 as the team finished with a 12-4-3 record. The Huskies paced the Pac-12 conference in fewest goals allowed with fifteen, posted a 0.74 goals-against average and tallied nine shutouts.

He kindly spoke via email about the rapport he has with head coach Jamie Clark, the advanced leadership role he is transitioning into and what separates good from great goalkeepers in our first installment of Six-a-side, a new question-and-answer section here at Football Friendlies.

1. Coach Jamie Clark has returned the program to the upper echelon of the Pac-12 with back-to-back 12+ win seasons. You've played a critical role in this transformation. Care to give some insight into the player-coach relationship?

Jamie is a great coach, and he is an even better player's coach. What I mean by that is he is extremely good at communicating what he wants and what his expectations are to the players. Decisions on playing-time and other things rarely come out of left field, because he is straight forward with his players about what they need to improve on and what they already do well. Since he got here he has continued to push the expectations of our program to higher and higher levels, and it has shown through our play and our results.

2. You and your teammates lost several key players to graduation. Are you looking to take a more advanced leadership role in 2013?

Although I did consider myself to be a leader on the team last year, with the departure of our two captains Dylan [Tucker-Gangnes] and [Ben] Fisk, I definitely am going to have to step up to try to fill their shoes. It is crazy how time flies in college soccer. It felt like just last month I was arriving here as a freshman and next thing I know I am a senior and young guys are looking up to me. Heading into my fourth off-season here at UW, I feel prepared and ready to help lead our young team to another PAC-12 and NCAA tournament run.

3. What aspect of your game will you look to improve upon as you head into the 2013 campaign?

Two things that I think separate good goalkeepers from great goalkeepers is their ability to make good decisions and their ability to organize what is in front of them. These are two big areas I'm constantly working on and the off-season/spring season is a good time to do so.

And three for fun:

4. Best off campus food/restaurant?

I'm a big sucker for Chipotle. It never seems to get old no matter how often I go, but that is a little mainstream. The best under-the-radar place is probably Teriyaki 1st, or "T-1" as we like to call it.

5. Playing on the iPod?

I love all kinds of music. I like everything from country to techno to rap. For pre-game purposes though, I like to stick to techno or rap music.

6. Player or club you supported growing up?

My favorite European club growing up was and still is Arsenal. In MLS, I like both the Sounders and the Timbers, if that is even allowed. I grew up in Seattle, so I am a die hard Seattle sports fan, but I played for the Timbers U-23s last summer and I grew to really like the Portland organization, so I am in a bit of a pickle. My favorite players are probably Tim Howard, Iker Casillas and Thierry Henry.


Photo by Stephen Brashear courtesy of University of Washington Athletics

Links:
1) FootballFriendlies.com
2) UrbanSpoon.com
3) PortlandTimbers.com

Former Old Dominion standout Yannick Smith offered chance to compete with Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo

Photo Credit: Old Dominion University Athletics

Former Old Dominion standout Yannick Smith, drafted by the Houston Dynamo with the 75th pick in the fourth round at the 2013 MLS supplemental draft, savored the moment offering up effusive replies to Dynamo faithful via Twitter. He also took to the social media platform and cheekily noted his place in the draft as Mr. Irrelevant, the term coined for the event's final selection.

Now Smith will work towards maintaining his place on the Dynamo roster, and with it an all-important professional contract, as Houston's February training camp rolls toward the season kick off this March. Before joining the professional ranks, the attacking player completed a massively successful collegiate career with the Old Dominion University Monarchs. He ended his career ninth on the all-time goal list and 11th all-time in assists.

Primarily, a center forward in college, Smith transitioned to a left-side attacking role during his senior season, becoming more of a facilitator versus a finisher.

"The majority of my life I've played center forward, but this year I was more of a left winger," Smith said via a December 2012 email interview. "At first it was frustrating because I did not understand the position completely but as the season went on I got more and more comfortable with it."

Smith's training sessions during the 2012 summer often focused on his positional change. "I put an emphasis on working on my combination play," the Dynamo draft pick said. "At ODU we played a very attractive brand of soccer and it's made me a much better player; last summer was devoted to my touch, passing, and playing quicker."

Upon completion of his senior season, Smith earned an invite to the 2013 Major League Soccer Combine held in Florida. Like many combine invitees, he was able to rely upon a former collegiate teammate for advice and guidance. Old Dominion alumnus, David Horst, a 27-year-old defender currently with the Portland Timbers, spoke with Smith about the expectations that come with the event.

"Once I found out I was selected to the combine, I wanted to reach out to Dave to talk to him but he beat me to it," Smith said. "Dave has been a great help, always giving me positive advice and I’m extremely grateful he reached out to me when he did not need to."

Prior to the combine in December, Smith noted some areas in need of improvement as he looked to transition to the pro ranks. "I want to continue working on my touch and get stronger," Smith said. "I believe I have a lot to bring a professional team and if I can continue to improve those parts of my game it will only give my game more versatility."

In the coming weeks, Smith will work towards cementing his roster standing with Houston. Perhaps he might even join the Dynamo's list of late-round draft picks who through development and patience went on to achieve at the sport's highest level.

Links:
1) Old Dominion University Athletic Website
2) Dynamo Theory - A Houston Dynamo Community at SB Nation
3) Yannick Smith Twitter @Yanaldinho4
4) Old Dominion University Athletic Website
5) Geoff Cameron Profile at Football Friendlies