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Soccer coaches from all over the country are winding up their annual convention today (January 18, 2009) in St. Louis. Some 7,500 people are expected at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

To show the increasing popularity of soccer, this is the largest single sport coaching organization in the U.S.

The meeting features clinics, exhibits, lectures and national awards.

Soccer is played by 14.5 million Americans, from the very young to seniors.

In high school, some 680,000 boys and girls are on soccer teams, and more than 40,000 continue the sport in college.