‘Defining Moment’: US Youth Soccer Being Integrated Into U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is taking over US Youth Soccer, a move that could lead to major reforms in the sport.

The move was announced following a vote to approve the matter by the USYS State Associations, which was taken on August 29 during a meeting in Dallas.

Starting September 1, U.S. Soccer and USYS will begin a two-year integration process to combine the latter’s experience at the youth level with the former’s national scale and much larger resources.

JT Batson, CEO and Secretary General, U.S. Soccer, called it, “a defining moment for the future of soccer in America,” adding, ““For decades, USYS and its State Associations have helped make the game happen in communities across the country, and they will continue to be integral in how we bring the resources of U.S. Soccer closer to those communities so that we can help more kids play and support the coaches, referees, clubs and leagues who make the game possible.”

USYS was founded in 1974 and has 2.5 million registered players as well as 54 individual state associations (four states have two). The youth pipeline for soccer in the United States came under renewed scrutiny after the U.S. Men’s National Team once again failed to advance past the Round of 16 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, a step it has only taken one time since reaching the semifinals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

“US Youth Soccer has spent more than 50 years creating opportunities for millions of players to find their place in the game,” said Tom Condone, the organization’s CEO. “This next chapter gives us an opportunity to build on that legacy. By bringing US Youth Soccer and U.S. Soccer closer together, we can better connect the people and organizations serving the game and create stronger opportunities for players, families, clubs and communities across the country.”

Shared Vision

In 2023, U.S. Soccer, the sport’s governing body, began an “ecosystem review” to determine, in part, the best way forward for the sport at the youth level. The goal is for the sport to have a shared vision for the game’s future at all levels, and with U.S. Soccer now taking control it could implement a series of changes, such as establishing a registration system directly with the players who are signed up with USYS.

“USYS and the State Associations bring the game to life every day at the local level,” stated Cindy Parlow Cone, President, U.S. Soccer. “They know their communities, and by working closer together we can create better experiences and more opportunities for players, families, coaches and referees across the country. We’re looking forward to this next chapter and shaping the future of youth soccer together.”

Among the goals for this takeover are to create more access for players in communities across the country, bring more resources to local soccer organizations, and better connect those organizations across the country.

The State Associations will continue to be relied upon to bring that vision to reality, based on their local knowledge and relationships.

“USYS members took a historic step today to make the game more affordable and accessible to kids and their families across the country, said Tina Rincon, Chair of the Board, US Youth Soccer. “I am excited that State Associations will have an even larger role in growing the game and changing the soccer landscape to serve youth in the U.S. more effectively alongside U.S. Soccer.”