Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new.

NEW YORK -- Brandi Chastain is confident the U.S. womens soccer team can win the gold medal again in Rio, is advocating for fewer headers in youth games and dealing with her sons diagnosis of Crohns disease.Its been 17 years since Chastains winning kick in a penalty shootout against China in the Womens World Cup at the Rose Bowl, and the celebratory photo of her overhead jersey twirl landed on magazine covers.These days, shes coaching youth, high school and college soccer in California. Chastain is keeping an eye on the current womens national team -- without retired star Abby Wambach -- after helping the U.S. win two golds and a silver in the Olympics during her career.We have a very deep roster, a nice balance of young players and veterans, she said. Those two components have always proved successful.Chastain, who transitioned from forward to defense on the U.S. national team, calls it humbling to be selected for induction into the Soccer Hall of Fame later this year at its new location at FC Dallas stadium.Here are a few things to know about Chastain, who plans to donate her brain for concussion research.SAFER SOCCER: Some think less heading in youth soccer games will lower the risk of concussions. Chastain works with the Safer Soccer initiative, which advocates for fewer headers. Since U.S. Soccer approved no headers for children under 11 last year, the whistle is blown for a foul if the ball is headed in a game. Chastain would like the ban to extend to 14 and under, but for now, its about reducing headers in practice and teaching kids spacial awareness, getting their head up and away from the ball. When the kids get fixated on the ball, their eyes never leave it, so they dont see any danger that potentially could be coming.She tells her boys youth team theyre not quite ready for headers and cautions her boys high school Bellarmine team. At the youth level, she says its best to avoid them.I hope U.S. Soccer educates refs on the rules, so its implemented at all levels and (teach) coaches about how to coach awareness skills for kids to protect themselves.Shes also a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, Santa Clara University, helping her husband Jerry Smith, who has been the head coach for 30 years.BELL RUNG: Chastains experienced her share of concussions during a 24-year career spanning college, national teams and pro soccer. The 48-year-old says shes donating her brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation because she wont need it at the time and might as do some good with it. Chastain wants to leave soccer in a better place and if they can get some information out of looking at my brain, then Im happy to contribute.CROHNS CHALLENGE: Chastains 10-year-old son Jaden was recently diagnosed with Crohns disease, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of the disease that affects about 700,000 people in the U.S. include cramping, diarrhea and fatigue. The cause isnt exactly known, but doctors think its a combination of genetics, an over-reactive immune system and environmental factors. Jaden, who plays soccer, baseball and swims, has a supportive school and a treatment plan to manage his symptoms.NEW ATTITUDE: Chastain acknowledges that helping her son deal with the emotional and social impact of the disease initially werent her strengths.As a pro athlete, my philosophy was you kind of grind it out, she said. Sometimes you wont feel good and you still have to do the work. I had to take a step back and know Im not always in control, and Jaden will take the lead. He knows when he needs to rest or cant play. That was a great lesson for me.SOCCER EQUITY: Shes been watching the efforts by the U.S. womens team to receive better wages and benefits from U.S. Soccer.Chastain says a lack of money is absolutely not the reason the federation offers different pay scales for the U.S. mens and womens teams. Its more about distribution, given the money the federation receives from TV revenue, sponsorships and FIFA.Im a big advocate for equal reward for the work we do on the field, she said. Its been a continual fight and a battle that, hopefully, well very soon win.She says its similar to the struggle for womens voting rights and Title IX, which opened opportunities for girls and women in education and sports. Chastain believes people will eventually look back at the wage issue and consider it archaic.Women -- and not just women, there are a lot of male advocates out there -- are saying, `Its time. Theres no logical reason for this to exist any longer.---Online: http://concussionfoundation.org/national...er-soccerOnline: https://www.ibdgameplan.com Clearance NBA Jerseys . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Nike NBA Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. NBA Jerseys Outlet . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Fake NBA Jerseys .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. ' ' '