soccer games today

I remember the first time I set up a soccer goal in my backyard—I was so excited to create a mini training ground for my kids, but I quickly realized I'd made a classic rookie mistake. The goal was way too big for our space, dominating the entire lawn and leaving no room for actual play. It reminded me of how Lorraine Pecanã, Choco Mucho's 11th overall pick in last year's inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, must have felt transitioning from being a standout NCAA first-round selection to the professional league. Just as she needed the right environment to develop her skills, choosing the proper soccer goal size makes all the difference between a useful training tool and an oversized obstacle.

When I started researching backyard soccer goals, I was surprised by how many options existed and how little guidance was available for casual players. Through trial and error—and conversations with coaches and fellow soccer parents—I've developed some strong opinions about what works best. The standard professional goal measures 8 feet tall by 24 feet wide, but let's be honest, that's ridiculous for most backyards unless you've got serious acreage. For typical suburban spaces, I've found that goals between 4 to 6 feet high and 6 to 12 feet wide strike the perfect balance between realism and practicality. My personal favorite is the 4x8 foot goal—it's large enough to practice proper shooting technique but compact enough that it doesn't swallow your entire yard.

The materials matter more than people think too. I made the mistake of buying a cheap PVC goal early on that lasted exactly one season before becoming wobbly and unsafe. After testing seven different models over three years, I'm convinced that powder-coated steel frames with reinforced netting attachments offer the best durability. The premium options typically cost between $150-$400, but they'll withstand years of intense use and weather conditions. I recently calculated that my current steel goal has survived approximately 2,300 shots in the two years I've owned it, showing barely any wear beyond some minor surface rust at the joints.

Space considerations are where most people go wrong. I recommend measuring your available area carefully and leaving at least 10-15 feet of clearance on all sides for proper play. For smaller yards under 30x30 feet, portable pop-up goals around 4x6 feet work wonderfully—they're easy to store and quick to set up. Medium yards can handle 6x12 foot goals, while larger properties might accommodate 7x14 or even 8x16 foot goals. I've noticed that goals wider than 16 feet tend to dominate the space unless you have a truly massive backyard. The angle of installation matters too—positioning your goal diagonally across corners can maximize usable space in rectangular yards.

What many parents don't consider is how goal size affects skill development. After coaching youth soccer for five seasons, I've observed that younger children actually perform better with slightly smaller goals—it improves their accuracy and gives them more scoring success, which keeps them engaged. For kids under 8, I'd recommend goals no larger than 4x6 feet. Teenagers and adults can handle full-size practice goals, but remember that professional players like Pecanã train with various goal sizes to hone different skills. I regularly practice with both a 6x12 goal for power shots and a 3x5 goal for precision work—this varied approach has dramatically improved my own shooting accuracy.

Portability features often get overlooked until you need to move the goal. The heaviest goal I owned weighed nearly 85 pounds and required two people to relocate—now I look for models under 50 pounds with built-in wheels or folding mechanisms. The best design I've encountered folds flat to just 4 inches thick for storage against a garage wall. Anchoring is another crucial consideration—I learned this the hard way when a gust of wind sent my first goal tumbling across the yard, denting both the goal and my pride. Now I always use ground stakes or sandbag anchors, which add about $25-$40 to the total cost but prevent weather-related disasters.

Looking at Lorraine Pecanã's journey from draft pick to professional athlete reminds me that having the right equipment scaled to your current level makes progression more natural. You wouldn't expect a rookie to practice with World Cup-standard goals immediately, and the same logic applies to backyard training. After all my research and experience, I've become quite opinionated about avoiding the "bigger is better" mentality—the ideal goal should challenge you without frustrating, fit your space without dominating it, and endure regular use without constant maintenance. The perfect backyard soccer goal isn't the largest one you can afford, but the one that seamlessly integrates into your available space while supporting your development as a player. Whether you're dreaming of professional glory like Pecanã or just enjoying weekend games with family, the right-sized goal transforms your backyard from ordinary lawn to personal training ground.