Julie Foudy
AYSO Alum Foudy won two World Cups and two Olympics medals as one of the top players in U.S. soccer history. Advice for a first-time AYSO coach: First of all, I'd tell them they're not going to be an expert right away! They can read all the books in the world about the technical skills, but the most important thing is to create an environment where the kids feel comfortable and it's fun to learn. You don't have to turn them into an Abby Wambach or Landon Donovan...just let them have fun and love playing soccer!
Landon Donovan
AYSO Alum Donovan is a three-time World Cup veteran and is the all-time leader in both scoring and assisting goals for the national team. Advice for the first-time coach: One of my biggest pet peeves is youth team coaches who take winning too seriously. This has always bothered me, and I always tell coaches to forget about winning with young players. They need to create an environment where the kids enjoy playing and are developing their soccer skills. Winning should never be a priority.
Shannon Boxx
AYSO Alum Boxx has won both an Olympic Gold Medal and NCAA Division 1 College Cup for Notre Dame. The 2015 FIFA World Cup represents her fourth FIFA World Cup as a member of the U.S. National Team. Advice for a first-time AYSO coach: Make soccer fun for the kids and get them to enjoy it first, then teach them skills. The most important thing is to have fun on the soccer field; winning is not so important. If you teach the value of teamwork and you instill that early, that's what's important.