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Spring is in the air, and June is just around the corner! In just a few short weeks, the much anticipated FIFA World Cup will be underway, with the first match kicking off in Rio on Thursday, June 12th. As professional footballers from around the world get ready to take to the pitch, fans everywhere will be gearing up for a great month of Major League Soccer.

The start of springtime not only means World Cup 2014 is near - it also means spring youth soccer season is about to get underway. Boys and girls of all ages both in Canada and the U.S. enjoy playing soccer every year, having fun while learning the fundamentals. These days, youth soccer participation in the U.S. rivals that of Little League, the American Pastime!

U.S. Youth Soccer reports that over 3 million kids in the United States alone are registered with youth leagues associated with the organization, and that’s not counting those who play for local school teams and town soccer programs. The popularity of soccer today is huge among boys and girls alike, with roughly half of the U.S. Youth Soccer players being female.

International soccer legend Pele has even taken notice of the boom in American youth soccer programs.

"Soccer is becoming very, very big in the United States. The base, with the kids, is more organized than Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. No doubt.” Pele said, adding that “the women in the United States play better than Brazil."

With a vote of confidence for the future of soccer in the States from Pele himself, it’s no wonder kids across North America are excited about their upcoming spring and summer soccer seasons. And to add to the excitement as the kids head out onto the pitch this year, the pros will be making their way down to Pele’s home country of Brazil for the World Cup tournament.

As you make preparations for the start of your local U.S. Youth Soccer League, make sure you’ve got everything you need for a successful season - permanent and portable goals of all sizes, netting, and all the necessary soccer accessories. U6s and U16s have very different needs when it comes to soccer equipment, so before you order, check out our free downloadable guide for choosing the proper soccer goal according to age groups.

The best way to get ready to watch the World Cup is to get out and play soccer!