No Hands Allowed

The United States had never seen a young soccer phenomenon like Freddy Adu. As a young boy in the African country of Ghana, he learned to play with a soccer ball and make amazing fakes and tricks look easy. When he was eleven, he was scoring against thirteen and fourteen-year-olds. When he was fourteen, he was a star on the Under-17 U.S. boys soccer team. Soon after he graduated from high school and became a professional soccer player drawing huge crowds to soccer stadiums all over the U.S.

Few soccer fields have seen a player as fearless as Abby Wambach. From the time she fought to keep up with her older brothers and sisters to today, as she fights to make a goal, she has been unstoppable. She gets knocked down, run over, and injured but just keeps going. Even a gash requiring 11 stitches couldn'¢t keep her off the field during the 2007 Women's World Cup. As tough as she is, Wambach is also a terrific teammate and a lot of fun to share the field with. Find out what makes this player so special, starting with her first fearless step onto a diving board.

Some would argue that Brandi Chastain single-handedly made women s soccer popular. Few people knew much about the best female soccer players in the world after the 1999 Women s World Cup finals. That s when Brandi scored a goal on a penalty kick after the second overtime of the U.S. versus China match and struck her famous pose. She was photographed on her knees, mouth wide open, eyes closed, fists in the air, wearing a black sports bra and white soccer shorts. Her celebration pose was featured on magazines and newspapers around the world. After that, Brandi became a household name. Breeze through this book and discover how Brandi became the fabulous athlete and wonderful person she is today.

Biography of soccer superstar Jay-Jay Okocha, including information on his childhood in Nigeria, his various achievements on the field, and his work with charities.

Following in his father's footsteps, young Michael was off and running on the soccer field by the age of eight! Even though he was one of the smallest players, he was also one of the toughest. He was not afraid to get in there with the bigger players and grab that ball. He scored his first hat trick at age eleven and has been going ever since. An early re-injury took him out of the 2006 World Cup, but Michael Owen is still running strong and amazing soccer fans all over the world.

David Beckham started out like so many soccer-playing children around the world: kicking the ball around the park with his father. But Beckham worked especially hard at the sport. He learned how to kick the ball far, and he developed incredible aim. When he was only thirteen, he signed with Manchester United, a famous English soccer team. When he was sixteen, he left home to train with the team full-time. He was picked for the English national team and later asked to be the team s captain. When he married pop singer Posh Spice (Victoria Adams), he became one of the most famous soccer players in the world. His fame has put him in the spotlight both on and off the field.

Biography of soccer superstar Luiz Ronaldo, including information on his childhood in Brazil and his years with PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid.

Landon Donovan is one of America s soccer superstars. He has always been good at soccer. When he was five years old, he scored seven goals in his first soccer game, playing against six and seven-year-olds. When he was sixteen, he was named Most Valuable Player in the Under-17 World Championships in New Zealand. He was part of the U.S. team that advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, and he led the San Jose Earthquakes to the Major League Soccer Championship in 2003. In 2005, he moved to the Los Angeles Galaxy, . With his goals in the 2010 World Cup, he became the highest scoring American in World Cup history.

Josh Wolff was only five years old when he began running around and kicking a soccer ball. He didn't even know how to play the game! By the time he entered Parkview High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Josh was already making a name for himself in the world of soccer. With college came more soccer honors and a chance to play with the Chicago Fire. He became a three-team player, playing for the Kansas City Wizards, the U.S. Men's National Team, and the U.S. Olympic Team. Injured many times while playing the game, Josh has always bounced back a stronger and more focused player. Josh's skill, strength and ability to outsmart his opponents have given him the opportunity to play soccer all around the world.

Brian McBride is one of the most exciting soccer players in the world! He started as a young boy playing soccer with his friends. When he was older, he became a star for teams in the United States and England. Brian has had many challenges. He struggled with injuries. Then a serious illness almost ended his playing career. Brian used these hard times to become a stronger and happier person. He never lost his dream to play soccer and help others through his athletic talents.

Robbie and Ryan Play Indoor Soccer tells the story of two fourth-grade friends who play on the same soccer team. Narrated by Robbie, the story will feel familiar to the millions of elementary school children who play in a youth soccer league. Robbie leads the reader on an indoor soccer adventure as his team wins the league championship for the second year in a row. Illustrated with actual photographs from the Kirkwood, Delaware, soccer club, the story is sure to delight young soccer lovers everywhere.

Provides a brief profile of the life and achievements of Ronaldinho discussing his childhood the death of his father 2002 World Cup appearance career highlights and family. Includes a chronology a glossary and a list of resources.