USA FACES OFF AGAINST BOSNIA IN WORLD CUP

The United States Men’s National Soccer Team faces Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1 in the World Cup Round of 32, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM ET from Santa Clara, California. One team will advance and the other will be knocked out of the international soccer tournament which showcases the best players from around the globe playing for national pride. Team USA is made up of a group of gritty underdogs looking to make a historic World Cup run for the country which would be especially special with the United States hosting the tournament while celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary.

If you are a Detroit sports fan, you know exactly what this feels like. We spent years watching the Lions build grit, watching Dan Campbell talk about biting kneecaps, and watching the Red Wings reconstruct a roster from the ground up. This USMNT squad under Mauricio Pochettino is giving off those exact same blueprint vibes. They cruised through Group D by taking care of business against Paraguay and Australia. Even that 3-2 group-stage finale loss to Turkey didn’t hurt because Pochettino rested the big dogs. Now, it is win-or-go-home time—the kind of single-elimination pressure Detroiters live for.

Here is how the matchup breaks down through a classic, grit-loving Detroit sports lens:

The Blueprint: How the U.S. Wins

The USMNT is entering this game as a heavy favorite, but as any Tigers or Lions fan will tell you, a "favorite" tag does not mean a thing if you don’t bring the work ethic. Bosnia is going to play exactly like a division rival coming into Ford Field. They are going to sit back in a mid-to-low defensive block, clog up the middle, and try to make the game as ugly, physical, and frustrating as possible.

For the U.S. to break them down, it comes down to three things:

• The Captain is Back: Christian Pulisic is officially locked into the starting lineup after managing a calf injury during group play. He is the Amon-Ra St. Brown of this team—reliable, clinical, and the guy who moves the chains when everything else stalls.
• Poch’s Heavy Metal Press: Coach Pochettino’s high press is built to punish teams that try to sit deep and launch desperate long balls. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie need to play like elite defensive line anchors, blowing up Bosnia’s counter-attacks before they ever cross the midfield stripe.
• Speed Out Wide: Bosnia’s central defenders are solid but notoriously slow. Folarin Balogun has the elite pace to stretch their backline. If the U.S. can transition quickly and feed Balogun in the half-spaces, they will blow this game wide open.

The Trap: What to Watch Out For

Bosnia is not going to beat the U.S. in a track meet, but they are incredibly dangerous on set pieces. They boast serious height and a physical forward presence in veteran Edin Dzeko. If the U.S. gives away cheap fouls around the box, it is the soccer equivalent of letting an opponent bleed the clock out with short, bruising run plays. The defensive pairing of Chris Richards and veteran Tim Ream must remain disciplined, secure the aerial duels, and avoid the chaotic defensive lapses that bit them against Turkey.

Final Prediction

This isn't the old USMNT that plays down to its competition and folds under international pressure. This team has too much homegrown grit and a manager who expects nothing less than a clinical performance. Bosnia will hold tough for the first 30 minutes, but the Americans' sheer athletic advantage in the midfield will eventually break the lock. Expect Pulisic to orchestrate an early breakthrough, forcing Bosnia to abandon their defensive shell and opening up the floodgates for goals by the USA.

Final Score Prediction: USA 3, Bosnia 0. The U.S. marches on to the Round of 16 in Seattle.

WHY ONE GUY HOLDS THE KEY TO TEAM USA WORLD CUP DREAM

If you only watch soccer once every four years when the World Cup rolls around, you are probably trying to figure out if this year’s U.S. Men’s National Team is actually good.The short answer? They have a ton of young talent playing at the highest levels in Europe. But if the USA wants to shock the world and make a deep run on home soil this summer, it all comes down to one 27-year-old from Pennsylvania: Christian Pulisic. 

Nicknamed "Captain America" by fans, Pulisic isn't just our best player—he is the engine that makes the whole team run. Here is a quick, beginner-friendly breakdown of why he is the most important American athlete you should be rooting for right now.

1. He Is Our Offensive "Quarterback"

In soccer, teams often try to park all their defenders in front of the goal to create a human wall. It takes a special kind of player to break that wall down. That is Pulisic’s superpower.

Think of him like an elite NFL wide receiver who can also throw the ball. He uses incredible speed and quick footwork to blow past defenders, draw extra coverage, and then deliver perfect passes to his teammates. In our opening 4-1 win against Paraguay, Pulisic only played the first half, but he already forced an own goal and set up another score. When he is on the field, the U.S. looks like an offensive powerhouse. When he sits, the offense can stall.

2. He Has Done What No American Man Has Done Before

For decades, American soccer players were looked down upon by the powerhouse countries in Europe and South America. Pulisic changed that narrative single-handedly. He didn't just make it to Europe; he won the Champions League—the absolute highest trophy in club soccer, he doesn’t get intimidated when the U.S. plays giants like Brazil or England.

3. As Pulisic Goes. the USA Goes

In basketball, a superstar like LeBron James or Steph Curry can completely take over a game. Soccer is harder for a single player to dominate because the field is so huge, but Pulisic comes close.Statistically, when Pulisic scores or gets an assist, the U.S. team almost always wins. He sets the emotional tone for the entire squad. If he is playing with high energy and aggression, the rest of the young American roster feeds off that confidence.

4. The Current Drama: The Calf Injury

If you tune into the next game against Australia, you might hear a lot of nervous chatter from the announcers. During the Paraguay game, Pulisic took a brutal kick to his left calf. He has been training away from the main team this week to recover. 

This creates a massive high-stakes chess match for our new manager, Mauricio Pochettino. Does Team USA risk playing their best player against Australia to guarantee a win? Or do they rest him so he is healthy for the single-elimination knockout rounds?

Keep your eyes on the injury reports this week. If Captain America is healthy and flying down the field, Team USA has a real shot to make history.

TEAM USA TAKES ON AUSTRALIA IN WORLD CUP

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) can officially punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds with a victory over Australia this Friday, June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle. Soccer can feel out of sorts if you don’t watch it regularly, but this is a high-stakes matchup game. Think of it as the equivalent of a prime-time playoff game because in the World Cup every game has significance towards hoisting the championship trophy. If you are new to the sport, here is your jargon-free, American-focused guide to what is tracking to be a bruising Friday afternoon showdown.

The Stakes: Win and Move On

• What's happening: This is the second game of the three-match "Group Stage" round robin. 
• Where things stand: Both teams won their opening games last week. The U.S. crushed Paraguay 4-1, and Australia upset Turkey 2-0. 
• The "Win and In" scenario: Because they both have three points, a win by either team guarantees them a spot in the Round of 32 knockout bracket.

The Drama: This Is a Grudge Match

These two teams genuinely dislike each other, stemming from a brutally physical exhibition game they played last October.

• The Hard Nose Coach: U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino famously gave a fiery halftime speech during that match, essentially telling the Americans to "punch back" and match the Australians' extreme physical play. Expect physical hits, intense trash talk, and a lot of attitude.
• The "Layup" Bulletin Board: An American media pundit recently called the Australian team a "layup" for the U.S. squad. The Australians—colloquially known as the "Socceroos"—have fully leaned into their underdog status and are heavily motivated to make the U.S. eat those words.

Two Key Names to Know

You don't need to memorize a 26-man roster to enjoy the match. Just keep your eyes on these two players:

• Folarin Balogun (USA Forward): He is the red-hot closer for the U.S. team. He scored two goals in the opening blowout against Paraguay and will be the main weapon trying to break through Australia's heavy defensive wall.
• Nestory Irankunda (Australia Forward): Australia's 20-year-old phenom. He became the youngest World Cup goalscorer in his country's history last week, and his lightning-fast speed on counter-attacks is the exact thing the U.S. defense is terrified of.

* Note for Casual Fans: U.S. superstar Christian Pulisic is currently battling a calf injury and may not play, meaning the younger American guys will have to step up into the spotlight.

Why You Should Watch

Think of this game like a heated NFL division rivalry match. It features a rowdy Pacific Northwest home crowd, a ton of bad blood between the players, and a straightforward ticket to the playoffs on the line. It is the perfect game to pour a cold drink, flip on the TV on a Friday afternoon, and watch the U.S. try to dominate the world stage.

WHAT IS HYPE BEHIND TEAM USA WORLD CUP COACH

With the United States hosting this year's World Cup tournament on its home soil, the United States Men's National Team wanted to press its advantage to make a legitimate run to hoist the championship trophy by recruiting an elite level soccer coach. They brought in Mauricio Pochettino for that role. If you are a casual sports fan tuning in to the 2026 FIFA World Cup you may wonder what the hype is about regarding Team USA's coach. Here is some background on Coach Pochettino and how he is helping make U.S. Soccer competitive in international play.

The Quick Resume

Pochettino is a 54-year-old former professional player from Argentina who transitioned into coaching. He has managed several of the biggest clubs in global soccer, known for taking underperforming teams and turning them into highly entertaining contenders. 

• The Tactician: He favors an aggressive, high-energy style of play.
• The Talent Developer: He is famous for turning young, unknown players into superstars.
• The Leader: Players routinely praise his intense, family-like team culture.

Where He Made His Name

While he played at the highest level—including representing Argentina in the 2002 World Cup—his global fame comes from his time on the sidelines.

• Tottenham Hotspur (England): He took a historically "average" English Premier League club and turned them into a powerhouse, culminating in a dramatic run to the UEFA Champions League Final in 2019.
• Paris Saint-Germain (France): He managed absolute mega-stars like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar, winning the French league title.
• Chelsea (England): He steadied a chaotic, young billionaire-backed squad before departing in 2024.

Why His Move to the USA is Huge

In late 2024, U.S. Soccer hired Pochettino to lead the Men's National Team. This is a massive deal for American soccer for three reasons:

• Pedigree: He is arguably the most high-profile coach the USMNT has ever hired. 
• The 2026 World Cup: The USA is co-hosting the tournament right now, and Pochettino was brought in specifically to ensure the Americans can compete with the world's absolute best.
• Cultural Shift: He brings a ruthless, European-style tactical accountability that the American squad has historically lacked.

The Pochettino Style: What to Look For

When you watch a Pochettino-coached team, you will notice a few distinct traits:

• Heavy Pressing: His players sprint to win the ball back the second they lose it.
• Peak Fitness: His training camps are notoriously brutal to ensure players can out-sprint opponents for a full 90 minutes.
• Full-Back Attack: He loves using his defenders on the flanks to rush forward and join the offense.

The Bottom Line

Think of Mauricio Pochettino as a championship-caliber NBA or NFL coach who has spent his career in the toughest media markets, managing the biggest egos. Now, he is tasked with leading American soccer into its biggest summer in history.

TEAM USA STARTS OFF WORLD CUP WITH A VICTORY

Team USA opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a historic, dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay. Playing in front of a raucous, star-studded crowd of 70,492 at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad put on a soccer masterclass that marked the first time in U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) history to have scored four goals in a single World Cup match.

The Perfect First Half

The Americans showed absolutely no home-crowd nerves playing on their own soil. They pressed with staggering intensity from the opening whistle, putting together what will likely go down as one of the finest 45 minutes of soccer this country has ever produced.

• 7th Minute: Christian Pulisic split a double-team on the left flank. His sharp ball found Weston McKennie, whose subsequent pass forced an own goal off Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla.
• 31st Minute: After having a goal narrowly ruled out for offside, Folarin Balogun capitalized on a pinpoint cross from Pulisic to power home a clinical finish.
• 45+5th Minute: Right before the halftime whistle, Balogun struck again. Shaking off two defenders, he unleashed a breathtaking left-footed curler into the top corner.

Second-Half Adjustments and the Injury Scare

The major talking point at halftime was the substitution of Christian Pulisic, who was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter. Pochettino later confirmed it was a precautionary move after Pulisic took a hard kick to the calf.With a 3-0 lead, the U.S. dropped its intensity slightly in the second half. Paraguay took advantage of a messy clearance in the 73rd minute, with Maurício clawing a goal back to make it 3-1. The South Americans began stringing together more pressure, and a yellow card for Tyler Adams served as a reminder that the group stage requires discipline.

Reyna’s Exclamation Mark

Just as fans were bracing for a tense final few minutes of stoppage time, substitute Gio Reyna delivered a moment of absolute magic. In the 98th minute—on the final play of the game—Reyna struck a sensational shot with the outside of his boot, curling it home to cement the 4-1 scoreline.

This wasn't just a win; it was a statement. It is the largest World Cup margin of victory for the U.S. since 1930. While the second-half drop in energy shows there are still details for Pochettino to iron out, the sheer attacking fluidity of Balogun and Pulisic proved this team can compromise any defense in the world.

Next Game Up

The USMNT now sits comfortably atop Group D with three points. They travel next to Seattle's Lumen Field to face Australia on Friday, June 19. The game will be broadcast free over the air by the Fox Network at 3pm (Detroit Time). 

USA SOCCER IN THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

Team USA's 2026 World Cup roster, managed by Mauricio Pochettino, is aiming for a historic deep tournament run. The USMNT will begin their highly anticipated opening group stage match against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12, 2026.As the tournament takes center stage on their home soil, this "Golden Generation" of American soccer is putting everything on the line for the chance to hoist the championship trophy. 

Stars & Stripes: Key Players to Watch

Christian Pulisic (Forward, AC Milan): The undisputed face of the program. At 27 years old, "Captain America" operates as the primary creative spark and focal point of the attack from the wing.

Weston McKennie (Midfielder, Juventus): The engine room and spiritual heart of the team. Coming off a career-best season in Italy, his high-energy, box-to-box presence is vital for breaking defensive presses.

Antonee "Jedi" Robinson (Defender, Fulham): One of the Premier League's premier left-backs. His lightning pace allows him to bomb forward to overload midfields while locking down opposition wingers.

Folarin Balogun (Forward, AS Monaco): The sharp-shooting 24-year-old striker who finished near the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts. The U.S. relies heavily on his clinical finishing in the box.

Tyler Adams (Midfielder, AFC Bournemouth): The defensive anchor and former captain. If healthy, Adams serves as a pure midfield destroyer who disrupts counter-attacks before they start.

Chris Richards (Defender, Crystal Palace): The bedrock of the backline. Fresh off winning the FA Cup in England, his physical dominance and tactical awareness make him the team's best central defender.

Opponents in the Tournament

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will compete in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, playing its group-stage matches against Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye.

Match 1: Paraguay [Friday, June 12 @ 9 pm (ET) / SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)]

The opening match features a gritty, defensively sound South American opponent. Paraguay traditionally relies on physical center-backs and explosive counter-attacks. Pochettino’s men will need to dictate the tempo early to unlock a stubborn low block.

Match 2: Australia [Friday, June 19 @ 3 pm (ET) / Lumen Field (Seattle)]

The Socceroos bring a relentless, high-pressing work ethic and immense aerial danger on set pieces. Playing in front of a raucous Seattle crowd, the USMNT will rely on the technical ball-distribution of McKennie and Malik Tillman to break down Australia's structural discipline.

Match 3: Türkiye [Thursday, June 25 @ 10 pm (ET) / SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)]

Potentially the toughest tactical test in Group D. Türkiye boasts high-level European technical talent and incredible midfield fluidity. This final match in Los Angeles will likely dictate who tops the group, putting immense pressure on Tyler Adams and Chris Richards to nullify the Turkish creative creators.

Pathways to the Knockout Round

2 Wins (6 Points): Guarantees advancement. Winning two games mathematically locks the U.S. into a top-two spot in Group D, securing automatic qualification.

1 Win, 2 Draws (5 Points): Virtually guarantees advancement. Historically, five points safely places a team in the top two or as an elite third-place finisher.

1 Win, 1 Draw, 1 Loss (4 Points): Highly likely to advance. If the USA finishes third in the group with 4 points, they will almost certainly be one of the eight best third-place teams that move on.

3 Draws (3 Points): A coin flip. Three points leaves the U.S. entirely dependent on goal differentials and other group tiebreakers to squeeze through as a wild-card third-place team.

2 Losses + 1 Win (3 Points): Survival on life support. The USA would finish 3rd in the group. They would then have to wait for all 12 groups to finish playing to see if they rank as one of the eight best 3rd-place teams.

2 Losses + 1 Draw (1 Point) or 3 Losses (0 Points): Automatic Elimination. The USA would finish dead last in Group D and be completely knocked out of the tournament.

Will home field advantage make this a historic World Cup for the United States Men's Soccer Team? While France and Spain seem to be the consensus favorites, if Team USA make it to the knockout round who knows if they can get hot and ride a winning streak to the championship. Will you be tuning in to find out? All of the Team USA games in the 2026 Men's World Cup will be broadcast free over-the-air by FOX. Let's Go USA!

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY LEGO SET

Hey soccer fans and LEGO lovers! The United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting the FIFA World Cup competition this year and the matches have just begun. Have you wanted to hoist up the World Cup trophy over your head just like some of the world's best football players have? Well now you can with a LEGO set that replicates the FIFA World Cup trophy!

This 2,842 piece 1:1 scale LEGO replica of the 2026 World Cup trophy is available now from amazon.com. Not only does it have authentic details but LEGO has added some of its own elements to add some extra fun to the model. Interesting aspects of this LEGO model kit include:

AUTHENTIC DETAILS – This collectible model features 2 stylized human figures holding up the Earth, plus the iconic globe and a plaque naming past World Cup winners.

HIDDEN COMPARTMENT – The top globe opens to reveal a FIFA World Cup 2026 branded minifigure holding a mini trophy and a backdrop displaying the 2026 World Cup logo.

PLAY & DISPLAY – The mini scene can be kept inside the trophy or removed and displayed beside it, and the completed model doubles as room decor for a bedroom, office, or shelf.

INTERACIVE BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS – Builders can zoom in, rotate sets in 3D and track their progress using the fun, intuitive LEGO Builder app.

Are you going to score yourself one of these LEGO 2026 World Cup Trophy replicas?

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5 ACTIVITIES TO GET KIDS OUTSIDE PLAYING

Over the past year, it has been quite difficult to go outside. Why? Well, the answer is pretty obvious. The coronavirus pandemic took a lot away from us. As a result, many were cooped up in their house for almost half a year. Some even longer while the world watched as thousands upon thousands of people, unfortunately, get really sick or die due to contracting COVID-19. This is not to say that the virus is over and done with, but people have gradually started to go back outside and have some fun with one another. Whether that is going to the beach, playing sports, or gathering together to grab a bite to eat, people have been chomping at the bit to get back out there and assimilate back into society. 

One of the most pressing issues that has come with COVID-19 is the effect that it will have on children. Being a parent can be extremely tough, but adding in a pandemic? Talk about a challenge. 

Most parents were not ready for their children to not be going to school. They had to prepare for what was somewhat unthinkable; their kids would be doing virtual learning at home. This required some parents to get babysitters or nannies while they worked to put food on the table. 

However hard that issue was/is, another problem that impacted kids was that they could no longer interact with their friends and other children. For growing brains like elementary and middle schoolers, seeing and interacting with people on a daily basis is essential in teaching basic social skills. 

Thankfully many schools have come back, but there is still time to be made up regarding the development of your kids. Now, this isn’t a piece trying to teach you how to raise your kids, but after a year of sitting inside playing video games and watching TV, it is important for kids to get out and do outside activities. 

Seriously, even before the pandemic, video games were on the rise. For example, according to Healthline, the, “. . .average daily video game play among kids ages 8 to 18 rose from 26 minutes per day in 1999 to almost 110 minutes (nearly two hours) per day by 2009.” 

And yes, video games are fun. There is a reason they have become so popular. At the same time, they are not the end all be all. Kids should not be stuck in front of a screen all day instead of outside playing around the neighborhood. 

But what activities could get kids out of the house and into the yard? Below is a list of five outdoor activities that will get your kid excited to hop off the couch and go outside: 

Soccer 

Soccer is the most popular sport around the world. Kids everywhere play soccer; one of the reasons that is the case is the fact that you really only need a ball to start playing. Regulation sized goals would be great to have, but not everyone has access to them. Instead, all you really need is to just toss down a pair of shoes and make your own little space for a goal. 

Additionally, soccer is great because you can play with however many people you want. If your child has one friend, they can just dribble around, play one versus one, or come up with their very own new game. On the flip side, if your kid comes home with nine other preteens, a five-on-five match is a big consideration. 

Still, before your child gets to playing soccer, you should remind them how dangerous heading the ball can be. If your kid were to smack the ball with their ear trying to head the ball in a given direction, you may have to go out and find a local audiologist. 

Wiffle Ball 

 Another classic, Wiffle ball, is a fantastic way to get your kids out of the house. Wiffle ball is essentially baseball on the go and can be a really awesome time. Whether that is through a home run derby or playing a nine-inning game, wiffle ball is a great way to be outdoors and have fun while doing it. And, just like soccer, all you really need is two things: a ball and bat (that are almost always purchased together). 

 

Bike Riding 

This may be another obvious activity option, but bike riding is another fun activity for kids. They get to race, go adventure around town, go off ramps, whatever. That may sound a little dangerous to you, and if that is the case, make sure your loved one is fit up with a good helmet. 

It is also worth mentioning that biking is not the only thing to scoot (pun intended) around town in. Scooters, skateboards, RipStiks, and longboards are all options. Whatever gets your kid to open the door and get outside. 

Capture The Flag 

A personal favorite, capture the flag is just straight up awesome. Team versus team fighting to be the first to get the opponent’s flag on their side. There is a lot of running, a lot of strategy, and a ton of fun. Now, the rules may differ based on the location of the game, but regardless of that, it is hard not to have a fun time playing capture the flag. That is unless one were to get caught in enemy jail for the entirety of the game. 

Pickle 

No, not the food. This is the game pickle. Never heard of it? Well, you can find the rules here. But all in all, pickle is a fun way for your child to develop some of those communication and cooperation skills that were previously talked about. Deciding whether or not to run is a risky business decision, but that is what makes it such a good time and a great way to get your kids back out into the neighborhood to prevent them from watching eight hours of TV.

CAMP WARNER BROS SOCCER FUN

SPONSORED BY WARNER BROS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

This week's Camp Warner Bros activities revolved around having some summer time soccer fun. Warner Bros Home Entertainment provides us with the soccer themed movie Alex & Me for a family movie night. Then the next day inspired by the film's star Alex Morgan, who helped the U.S. Women's Team win the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 in real life, my daughter spent an afternoon juggling a soccer ball in the backyard.

The goal of juggling a soccer ball is to keep it in the air without using your arms or hands to avoid it from hitting the ground. How long can you keep it aloft using your hands, knees and even your head? She has gotten pretty good being able to juggle the ball constantly for a few minutes at a time.

The movie Alex & Me is the story of a girl, like my daughter, who has been inspired to play soccer by witnessing Alex Morgan's talents in high profile games like the Olympics, World Cup and professional soccer matches. Alex demonstrates that girls don't have to just be cheerleaders but can be competitive athletes in sports themselves.

In Alex & Me, teenager Reagan Willis has one dream – to play soccer like her hero, Alex Morgan. Her bedroom is a shrine to all things Alex, including a life-size poster of the Olympic gold medalist. Yet in the Willis house, Reagan lives in the shadow of her prep football superstar brother, Logan. When Reagan fails to make the cut of the premiere local soccer club team and is humiliated by her rival Claire, she’s certain her ship has sailed. But after accidentally hitting her head, Reagan’s poster of Alex Morgan suddenly comes to life and everything changes!



Just like in Alex & Me encourage kids to use this Goal Chart to keep track of soccer drills and other tasks to help ensure they are having a productive summer. For some further encouragement have them watch Alex & Me. I've got a digital code for the movie to giveaway courtesy of Warner Bros Home Entertainment.

For a chance to win this movie just complete the Rafflecopter entries below before 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, August 9, 2020. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to participate. Glad to share some of our Camp Warner Bros fun with our randomly selected winner. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
For those of you who don't win the giveaway. Many will enter, but only one will win! You can purchase Alex & Me on Blu-ray and DVD from Best Buy. Use a Geek Daddy affiliate link and this dad blogger will receive a small commission from your purchase at no additional expense to you. Your support of ageekdaddy.com is appreciated!

PENNY SOCCER GAME

Inspired by the United States Women's National Team's dominance of Thailand in their opening round 13-0 victory of the ladies World Cup, my daughter gave me a 5-0 beating in Across the Board's Penny Soccer Game after we watched the match on TV. In this mock soccer game, players flick a penny across a board attempting to score goals. While reasonably simple to play, this penny soccer game is a remarkably fun way to spend some time.

The table top game consists of a handcrafted, made in the USA, wood playing surface decorated to resemble a soccer field.  White pegs pop out from the playing field to serve as defenders providing a challenge to scoring goals.  A bright shiny penny comes along with the game to serve as a soccer ball as well as two metal pegs for keeping score.

HOW TO PLAY

The youngest player starts off the game by placing the penny on the center line of the soccer field. A game kicks off with the player using his or her finger to flick the penny towards the opponent's goal.

It MUST be flicked NOT pushed. Each player flicks the penny once per turn from wherever it rests on the soccer field.

After a goal the penny is placed back at center field for a new kick off by the player who was just scored upon.

The game is won by the first player to score 5 goals. A Penny Soccer Game match lasts about ten to fifteen minutes. Beware though because the game is addictively fun and you are sure to find yourself playing it over and over again.

Across the Board's Penny Soccer Game is an entertaining way to spend some quality family time unplugged from electronics and the Internet. Great for playing indoors on a rainy day, after dinner on the back patio, or taking along on a camping trip. Since the goal of the game is to shoot and score with the flick of a finger it is a sports game playable by all ages. Perfect for a family game night!

ACROSS THE BOARD

Across the Board is a St. Louis family owned and operated workshop specializing in high quality, handcrafted, unique wooden board games. Their table top games are made with premium materials and assembled with a focus on detail and precision. To purchase a Penny Soccer Game for yourself or to learn about their other unique wood crafted games go to acrosstheboardgame.com

SOCCER PARTY IDEAS

My soccer playing daughter is really excited about the big tournament taking place this summer from June 7 - July 7, 2019 in France which has the best women's national soccer teams in the world competing in it. Especially because the United States women's national team is a leading contender to be hoisting the championship cup at the end of the competition. So she is really looking forward to watching the games and cheering on Team USA.

Are you planning on hosting viewing parties for these big games or looking for a theme for an upcoming birthday celebration? My friends at Wholesale Party Supplies shared with ageekdaddy.com some great soccer party ideas. You are sure reach your goal of hosting a fantastic get together by incorporating some of these suggestions into your soccer party.

SOCCER PARTY DECORATIONS

Tablecloths are not just for tables! Use printed designs, like this grass table cloth to create a faux backdrop for your dessert table. Dress the front with a mixture of mini pennant banner and large pennant garlands, or create your own garland using dessert plates.

Friends will have a ball when sitting down for some chow at your soccer party. Lay a grass plastic table cloth down and dress it with coordinating soccer plates and napkins. Add a little texture to your table with tissue paper grass mats. Place a real soccer ball and some orange practice cones into the mix for some extra flair. If this is a birthday party have all your guests sign the ball to mark the occasion or sign it for to give to a coach at an end of season party. Balloon bunches always signal a party so fly a mylar soccer ball and latex balloons around your party table.

SOCCER PARTY SNACKS

Grab icing decorations and add them to OREO pops with a little colored chocolate melts. Tip: the double stuffed variety is easier to make these with!

Dress up your water bottles with a referee drink koozie.

Make soccer balls you can eat in the form of sticky popcorn balls!

In case anyone dribbles yellow card them with a yellow napkin they can wipe their face or hands on.

SOCCER PARTY FAVORS

Let friends know that you had a ball when gifting them a sports bottle, dressed with a soccer whistle and filled with some goodies. Add a personalized bag tag on each, which they can easily use on their sports bag afterward!

Whether you are having people over to watch the big tournament on television, inviting a team over for an end of season party, or celebrating a special occasion with a sports theme, these soccer party ideas from Wholesale Party Supplies are sure to add some extra fun to your event.

ALEX & ME SOCCER MOVIE GIVEAWAY

** Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the featured Blu-ray for personal use and one to giveaway in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own **

As the coach of my daughter's soccer team, I'm always looking for ways to motivate the girls to improve themselves on and off the field.  So I'm planning on getting the team together for a movie night to watch ALEX & ME.  This movie features women's soccer sensation Alex Morgan and Nickelodeon actress Siena Agudong (Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn) in the story of a young female athlete who is taught by one of her personal heroes how passion, determination and self-worth can make all your dreams come true.

Get into the soccer spirit by creating your own Soccer Emoji to share with the world through the app below. Pick your player's look, signature move, and fun tagline. Then download the app's Family Goal Chart to have your kids set and mark off goals to help them be superstars in sports, school and life. When you are done with the app make sure to enter to win ALEX & ME from A Geek Daddy courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.



For a chance to win the movie just RETWEET the original giveaway promotional post on Twitter embedded below before June 24, 2018 at 11:59pm E.T.  Must be a U.S. resident over 18 years old to participate. Simple as that! So who wants it?!

Follow @Geekdad248 + RETWEET before June 25, 2018 for a chance to win ALEX & ME on Blu-ray starring Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's #WorldCup Winner Alex Morgan #AlexandMe #WBPromotion pic.twitter.com/opjeCikpjC

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) June 15, 2018

ALEX & ME SYNOPSIS

Teenager Reagan Willis (Agudong) has one dream – to play soccer like her hero, Alex Morgan. Her bedroom is a shrine to all things Alex, including a life-size poster of the Olympic gold medalist. Yet in the Willis house, Reagan lives in the shadow of her prep football superstar brother, Logan. When Reagan fails to make the cut of the premiere local soccer club team and is humiliated by her rival Claire, she’s certain her ship has sailed. But after accidentally hitting her head, Reagan’s poster of Alex Morgan suddenly comes to life and everything changes!

An Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion with a penchant for goal scoring, Alex Morgan is one of the top soccer players on the planet, currently playing forward for the United States Women's National Team and the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League. Away from the field, Morgan is also an accomplished author of “The Kicks” series, a collection of chapter books filled with wonderful messages of empowerment for young girls.



ALEX & ME is available now on Digital and is being released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 19, 2018. CLICK HERE to purchase the movie.

Disclaimer & Rules: A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a United States resident over the age of 18 to participate. One entry per mailing address and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner. A Geek Daddy is not responsible for delivery of the prize.

Reactorz Soccer Ball | COOP Sports

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

My kids are enjoying soccer camp this summer and they just can't get enough of the sport right now.  In addition to learning dribbling and passing techniques during the day at camp they want to go outside every night to practice kicking the ball around.  Thanks to the Reactorz Soccer Ball from COOP Sports, which lights up when it is kicked, darkness is no longer an obstacle that can prevent my kids from playing the game.  They've been having fun playing soccer from dawn to dusk with their Reactorz ball.

You may not be able to see my kids but the Reactorz Soccer Ball they are passing around sure is visible! Reactive light technology emits a burst of light with every touch, bounce, throw or kick of a COOP Sports Reactorz Ball.



Playing with their Reactorz Ball my kids discovered that the best light effects are generated the faster it spins.  That is because the micro-prism inner core of the 8 inch diameter youth soccer ball refracts the light from its motion activated LED module for the cool effects you see while playing with it.

The soccer ball also has a semi-rigid outer shield that both protects the LED module inside plus provides a texture that makes it soft to kick.  The lighting mechanism is so light and well calibrated you can't distinguish the feel of kicking or catching it from a normal children's playground ball.  A nice aspect of the ball is the pressure/motion sensitivity of the LED module.  It can be held in a hand or resting under a foot without illuminating preserving its battery life but a tap or putting it into motion will easily make it glow.

My kids really have had a lot of fun playing outside at night with this light-up soccer ball.  Meant for ages 5+,  Reactorz Soccer Balls are available at Toys R Us.  Non-replaceable batteries are included within the ball so it is ready to go as soon as it is removed from the packaging.  For more information, visit coop-sports.com.

If you have kids in your life that love soccer as much as mine do pick them up a COOP Sports Reactorz Ball!

Aspiring Athletic Wear Designer Creates Stellar Star Wars Themed Soccer Uniforms

The indoor soccer team I play on thought we were sporting some great jerseys when we selected the stormtrooper themed shirt pictured above to wear during games for our most recent season.  We were put to shame though by an aspiring clothing designer named Nerea Palacios who has showcased a line of Star Wars themed soccer kits (what serious players and fans call uniforms) on her website that are pretty fantastic.  Hoping to garner the attention of Nike or another sporting attire brand to hire her to professionally design soccer kits, Palacios created a number of outfits tied to specific Star Wars characters to demonstrate her talents and gain some attention.

The soccer kit themes include Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Obi-wan Kenobi, R2-D2, C-3P0, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Stormtrooper.  All of them are impressive, most impressive ... though my favorites out of the bunch are the the droids R2-D2 and C-3P0.

To check out the full gallery of her Star Wars soccer kits visit www.behance.net/nereapalcacios.  Good luck with your job hunt and fashion designing career Nerea - May the Force be with You!

Have some Soccer Fun with the characters from RIO 2

The setting for the movie RIO 2 takes place in a local that is at the forefront of public attention right now as Brazil is hosting the world's premiere soccer tournament that takes place every four years featuring the sport's greatest talents representing their countries in international play.  To promote the country where the film takes place and the upcoming July 15th 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download releases of RIO 2, Fox Home Entertainment has provided some fun futbol themed activity sheets to share with your children while you enjoy the tournament.  I do hope you are taking in some of the tournament action, the USA national team for example won their first game with a thrilling last minute score where a player bounced in the GOAL!!! via knocking it off his head.  I know sometimes soccer gets a bad rap for its slow pace but how can you call that boring?!

Check out and download these RIO 2 activity sheets to get into the soccer spirit:

 

For more information about RIO 2, visit www.riomovies.com.  RIO 2 will be available to purchase at local retailers and online beginning July 15, 2014.

Disclaimer:  As a member of the FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT INSIDERS CLUB, A GEEK DADDY BLOG receives complimentary Blu-rays, DVDs, and Digital Downloads of various movies to review and for giveaways to this blog's readers.