11:10am CT Sunday, Oct. 15 in Matteson, IL
The final 2006 id2 Regional Training Camp matches have been played. The players are back at the hotel packing their bags and saying their farewells to new friends as their parents wait to take them home. It's been a great two weeks of soccer and new friendships. Best of luck to all the players as they chase their soccer dreams!

7:54pm CT Saturday, Oct. 14 in Matteson, IL
Making the National Team is a process. That was US Soccer Region II Staff Coach Roberto Lopez's message to the id2 attendees this afternoon. As Coach Lopez explained, the journey doesn't end once a player makes the National Team. Then he has to battle to stay there. And just what does he look for in a National Team player? Exceptional technique, tactical know-how, unique individual qualities (such as heading, tackling, beating defenders 1-v-1, etc.) and excellent behavior both on and off the field.

After listening to Coach Lopez speak, the players went back to the fields for more games, but with a twist. After playing with the same team all weekend, four trades were made per team to mix things up. The players responded well and the play continued at a high level.

At dinner tonight, we discovered we have quite a few Detroit Tiger fans in attendance. When Magglio Ordonez's hit a American League Championship clinching walkoff homerun a big cheer went up among the players. Now the St. Louis fans in attendance are hunkered down for the night in front of their TVs to cheer on the Cards.

US Soccer Region II Staff Coach Roberto Lopez spoke with the id2 attendees about what it takes to make the National Team.

Chris Tikvart (in blue) and Tyler Tran (in yellow) jostle for the ball.

After a long day of training and matches, there is nothing better than a dish of ice cream!

12:26pm CT Saturday, Oct. 14 in Matteson, IL
Saturday morning brought more spirited game action for the id2 attendees. A number of parents stopped by the fields this morning to see their sons play. After a little down time, the players will reconvene this afternoon to listen to US Soccer Region II Staff Coach Roberto Lopez discuss what it takes to reach the National Team. Then they'll head back to the fields.

Miguel Santos sprints upfield with the ball.

Kurtis Stefan, Xhovani Dokaj and Silas Lin follow the action as they wait to enter a match.

Alex Bumpus looks over his options.

After a full morning of soccer, the players chowed down at lunch.

8:54pm CT Friday, Oct. 13 in Matteson, IL
What does it take to be a pro? This afternoon head staff coach Mark Dougherty discussed many of the traits the Chicago id2 attendees will need to reach the highest level. Among the qualities Mark highlighted were embracing different roles, setting individual goals, staying fit, maximizing your work rate and watching the game.

After their session with Mark, the players headed back to the fields for more matches and dinner at Aurelio's. As the players departed the restaurant, its owner could be overheard extolling the id2 attendees for their excellent behavior. Now the players are resting up for another full day of soccer tomorrow.

In addition to speaking with the id2 attendees about what it takes to be a pro, Mark Dougherty, a former MLS goalkeeper, recounted how Marcelo Balboa scored a spectacular bicycle kick against him during a Colorado Rapids-Columbus Crew game in 2000.

Erik Anderson fires the ball upfield.

Connor Klekota delivers a pass as Carson Leach applies pressure.

Eric Kunze runs onto the ball as Ivan Alanis looks on.

1:52pm CT Friday, Oct. 13 in Matteson, IL
They don't call Chicago the Windy City for nothing! Just how windy is it here in Chicagoland today? Check out the corner flag in this photo of Mc-Amos Paye drilling a corner kick:

Despite the piercing wind and chilly air, the players went through an energized session outside this morning consisting of training and the camp's first match. Later this afternoon they'll be back at the fields for more training and matches, but right now the players are enjoying the warmth of the hotel. Shortly they will gather to listen to head staff coach Mark Dougherty speak about his six-year MLS career and his recent experience as the goalkeeper coach for the U.S. Women's National Team.

Underneath the long hair and headband, Tyler Tran controls the ball.

Players gather this morning for some breakfast before training.

11:07pm CT Thursday, Oct. 12 in Matteson, IL
The 2006 id2 Regional Training Camp in Chicago opened today to excitement that couldn't be tainted by the early blast of winter weather. Blustery winds, tempatures that struggled to get into the 40s and snow flurries caused the camp's first training session to be held indoors. After training, the players enjoyed some yummy pizza at Aureilo's before heading back to the hotel to call it a night. As tomorrow promises to be a tad warmer (high near 50), we'll be outside all day for more training and the camp's first matches.

1:28pm PT Monday, Oct. 9 in Irvine, Calif.
The first id2 Regional Training Camps have come to an end. This morning featured final matches and training sessions for the boys and girls. In New Jersey, all the players have checked out and the shipping of signage, Nike gear and office supplies is completed. Meanwhile in California, all of the players except those on late flights have departed and the shipping is nearly finished. Plenty of good soccer was played, new friends were made and the players, having been scouted by US Soccer coaches, are now one step closer to potentially making the National Team. It's been fun and now it's one to Chicago for the final id2 Regional Training Camp, Oct. 12-15.

11:24pm PT Sunday, Oct. 8 in Irvine, Calif.
A full day of soccer has come to an end. After training and playing matches in the morning, the players got to enjoy some down time in the afternoon before returning to the fields for a 6-v-6 tournament that featured plenty of screaming shots, spectacular goals and quality saves. In the evening, the coaching staff featuring many former professional players including Eric Dade, Ted Eck, Cle Kooiman and Chad McCarty of the MLS and Christina Bell of the WUSA spoke with the id2 attendees about their experiences in the pros.

Tomorrow morning brings the final training sessions and matches of the 2006 id2 Regional Training Camp in Irvine, Calif. Time to rest up!

Dylan Hagen latches onto the ball during a match.

Ted Eck talks with his squad at halftime.

Kelsey Loupee utilizes her speed to race up the field.

Staff coaches Eric Dade and Christina Bell chat with id2 attendees Lo Labonta and Jen Gonzalez.

Lindsey Horan gives Briana Campos a hand with some stretching during cooldown.

After exerting plenty of energy on the field, Diego Lopez munches on not one, not two, but three ice cream cones.

9:12am ET Sunday, Oct. 8 in Zarephath, N.J.
Day 3 is now underway in New Jersey. Players are taking the fields this morning for more training and competitive play.

We asked the players to rattle off their favorite soccer team and soccer player. Here are a handful of their answers:

Taylore Peterson: The Colorado Rapids in the MLS and my brother, #15 Jacob Peterson, who plays for the Rapids.

Emily Morgan: In the MLS, the LA Galaxy and Cobi Jones. Also, the U.S. Women's National Team and Briana Scurry.

Preston Gayton: My favorite team is Argentina and my favorite player is Messi.

Joaquin Del Rosario: F.C. Barcelona because they have great team chemistry and are enjoyable to watch. Ronaldinho is my favorite soccer player.

8:56pm PT Saturday, Oct. 7 in Irvine, Calif.
Stride through the lobby of our hotel and you're bound to run into a bunch of Nike-clad 12- and 13-year-old id2 attendees. As the boys and girls are restricted from visiting each other's floors, the lobby is a popular place.

Simi Dhaliwal is down there with a large bag of Skittles in her hand which she is offering to anyone wearing id2 gear. Gabby Pena, proudly pointing out she's #9 on her club team, Arsenal FC, was chatting with all the new friends she's made. Dennis Flores, chilling with a Sprite in his hand and a smile on his face, threw a shout out to his family, while Cameron Souri, gave a shout out to his brother, Bijan. And Fabian Valdez was in a reflective mood talking about his id2 experience thus far. "Both the coaching staff and the competition are high level," he said. "I love the fields and I've met some good people."

And don't worry Moms and Dads, all the players socializing in the lobby promise to be up in their rooms and in their beds by lights out time.

And we here at US Club Soccer want to send a shout out to Miles Delis, who broke his foot this morning while playing in a match. We hope your foot heals fast, Miles!

After breaking his foot earlier in the day, Miles Delis gets a lift from US Club Soccer's Leo Garcia to the cafeteria for dinner.

Dan Nevarez looks to move upfield during a match.

Dan Colin in blue tries to fend off the challenge of Sebastian Zuniga.

Eric Dade, the coach of Team 5, addresses his squad at halftime of their match this afternoon.

3:50pm PT Saturday, Oct. 7 in Irvine, Calif.
Why are you here at id2?

That was the question Rene Miramontes, the Region IV U.S. Soccer National Staff Coach, posed to the id2 male attendees in this afternoon's speaker session. If they hope to make the National Team, Coach Miramontes advised the assembled players to know exactly what they bring to the game, to be a responsible student of the game and to live and breathe soccer.

Rene Miramontes asked the id2 male attendees to name the characteristics that make their individual games special.

Paul Caligiuri, a member of the U.S. Men's National Team 1990 World Cup squad and owner of 110 international caps, also dropped by to speak with the boys. He implored them to feed their passion by continuing to improve upon their skills and to dream about winning the World Cup.

Former Men's National Team player Paul Caligiuri spoke with the boys about the ways they can feed their passion for the game.

The female id2 attendees first heard from Erik Visser, a collegiate coach at the University of San Francisco. Passion and good character are among the traits coaches look for in players, he told the girls.

U.S. U-20 Women's National Team coach Tim Schulz then addressed the girls and encouraged them to not only create goals, but to also create plans on how to reach those goals and to visualize themselves doing so. "Visit your goals often," he said. "Know daily if you are going in the right direction."

Nike's Monica Rigali was also on hand and drew a large round of applause from the id2 attendees who were donning the Nike gear they received when they arrived at the camp. Monica encouraged the players to have fun and to keep working at their games and also when speaking to the girls told them about Nike's upcoming marketing initiatives for the 2007 Wome's World Cup.

Nike's Monica Rigali addressed the id2 attendees to encourage them in the game and to thank them for their support.

1:15pm PT Saturday, Oct. 7 in Irvine, Calif.
The morning session is in the books here in California. Most of the teams saw their first match action of the camp this morning. After a quick lunch, the players will listen to U.S. Soccer staff members discuss what it takes to make the National Team. Rene Miramontes, the Region IV National Staff Coach, will address the boys, while Tim Schulz, the U.S. U-20 Women's National Team Coach, will speak with the girls.

Kelly McGrath surveys her options during a match this morning.

Members of Team 4 (in yellow) look to advance the ball against Team 6 (in blue).

Team 1 players cool down after their first match of the id2 camp.

Katie Perry shows off her moves.

After concluding their own training session, Team 5 stuck around to watch Teams 4 & 6 play a match.

And as promised, here is Kimmy Albeno dancing to her own internal excitement over participating in id2!

11:21am ET Saturday, Oct. 7 in Zarephath, N.J.
Happy Birthday Javier Clavijo!

An id2 attendee who turns 12 today, Javier already has a long background in the game as he began playing soccer at the age of three. So far he's having a blast at id2. "To me the most important thing is that I have the opportunity to train with some of the best coaches in the U.S. nad team up with top players in my age group," he said. "I am sure that I will learn new skills to improve my game at this camp." A member of the Weston Fury in Florida, Javier also already owns a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Have a great birthday, Javier!

11:34pm PT Friday, Oct. 6 in Irvine, Calif.
The halls are quiet as the players catch some z's after an exciting first day of the id2 Regional Training Camp. Receiving a bag full of Nike gear, hitting the field for the first training session and meeting new friends were among the highlights. Tomorrow morning the players hit the fields for their first matches of the camp.

Earlier tonight a handful of players dropped by the US Club Soccer office here at the hotel to exchange sizes for their gear and we quickly learned the lengths to which Travis Pillon would go for a Nike jacket. Despite already having received his own warm-up jacket, Travis had his eyes on the jacket the girls received as well. He tried to sweet talk his way to one, he had his friends distract the US Club folks while he attempted to cart one away, and he even tried to talk one of the female attendees into swapping jackets, but none of his methods worked. He's still pining for a girls' jacket, so ladies beware.

Malloy Leahy and Kimmy Albeno, who are already best buds despite having just met this afternoon, also dropped by the US Club office to chat for awhile. Malloy had high praise for the gear she received saying, "The Nike stuff is amazing! I love all the jerseys."

As for Kimmy, she just danced. Seems she has a dance for every occasion and they are rather spastic with arms and legs flying every which way. Look for a photo tomorrow.

Before they headed back to their rooms for the night, Malloy and Kimmy had a few shout outs to send out. Malloy wants her mom, who shed a few tears before putting her daughter on the plane this morning, to know that she's doing good and also wants to give a shout out to her cousin, Austin. Kimmy's shout out goes to sister, J.J.

And we'll leave you tonight with a few photos.

A group of boys mug for the cameras in their styling Nike warmup jackets.

U.S. U-20 Women's National Team head coach Tim Schulz chats with a camp attendee as a "Team Parent" looks on.

While waiting to board the bus for the camp's first training session, a few girls share a laugh.

9:29AM PT Friday, Oct. 6 in Irvine, Calif.
The 2006 id2 program kicks off Friday, Oct. 6 with Regional Training Camps in Zarephath, N.J. and Irvine, Calif. A third camp will be held in Chicago Oct. 12-15. We'll be bringing you the scoop from behind the scenes as the nation's top boys and girls' players with '93 and '94 birth years train for four days with US Soccer Youth Development Program staff in attendance to scout the attendees for possible inclusion in the U14 National Team Program.

Registration is just about to kick off in New Jersey. Players have been arriving all morning and a line has already formed to check-in. Meanwhile in California, the final preparations for registration are being made and the first few players are arriving at the hotel. The excitement is ratcheting up as the 2006 id2 Regional Training Camps are about to get underway!