National Team
General TermsA team representing a country, consisting of players who hold citizenship for that nation.
Related Terms in General Terms
Defender
A general term for a player whose primary role is to stop the opposition from scoring (center backs, full backs).
Starting XI
The eleven players selected to start the match.
Away Team
The team playing at the opponent's stadium. They are usually listed second on the scoreboard (e.g., Home vs. Away).
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Play Club Soccer Staff
A parent's guide to understanding the tiered leagues in U.S. girls' youth soccer, from ECNL to recreational leagues.
Guide to the New MLS Next Divisions: MLS Next Homegrown and MLS Next Academy Divisions Explained
August 2, 2025
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A clear breakdown of the different divisions within MLS NEXT, explaining the homegrown player rule and the academy structure.
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August 1, 2025
Play Club Soccer Staff
The age group cut-off date is moving from a January 1st birth year to an August 1st school year system.