USYS' January 2025 Full Circle

ANT U OB AR E Y R2 2 0 0 2 2 5 4 T ABLEOFCONTENTSJOC

C ONT E NT Not ef r omL e a de r s hi p. . .

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Coppl e , Ma c Mi l l a n, a ndSe i t zHe a dl i neHa l l of F a meCl a s s . . .

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I a nBa r k e r Wi ns2025Dr .

Thoma sF l e c kAwa r d. . .

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USYSPa r t ne r swi t hVKTRY. . .

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De c e mbe r Qua r t e r fina l sRe c a p( Boy s ) . . .

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De c e mbe r Qua r t e r fina l sRe c a p( Gi r l s ) . . .

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I owaSoc c e r ’ sRe f e r e eDe v e l opme nt Pr ogr a m. . .

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F YSA&T a mpaBa ySunCe l e br a t eGi r l sT a k eOv e r Ni ght . . .

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Together, we win.

Just like soccer, managing your finances requires some coaching, knowledge, and practice. Whether you’re planning your family’s future, or working toward that next big goal, the right team can be the key to developing a winning strategy.

Talk to a local New York Life financial professional today to learn how, together, we can help you turn your financial goals into financial wins.

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NOTEFROM LEADERSHI P Lastmont h, mywi f eJeni f erandIt r avel l edt oCar y , N, C. t owat cht heMen’ sNCAA Di vi si on1soccerchampi onshi pbet weenMar shal l Uni ver si t yandt heUni ver si t yof Ver mont( UVM) .

I twasaspeci al ni ghtf ormeast hi swast hefir stt i mei nUVM’ s 61 yearhi st or yt hatt het eam r eachedt hefinal f our , l etal onet hefinal .

Dur i ngt hef ouryear st hatIpl ayedf ort heCat s, t hebestwecoul ddowasa#1 1 nat i onal r anki ngandoneappear ancei nt heNCAAt our nament , l osi ngt oevent ual champi onsUCONN. Butt hatni ghti nCar y , st andi ngwi t hi nar aucousUVM sect i on wi t hsever al f or mert eammat es, t hememor i esofbei ngapar toft hatt eam decadesagocamefloodi ngbackandt hesheerj oyofwat chi ngt hewi nni nggoal i nover t i mecan’ tbegi nt obedescr i bedher e.

I twasut t ereuphor i a.

Whatmadet heni ghtevenmor ememor abl ewasbei ngi nvi t edt ospeakt ot he t eam ast heysatdownf ort hei rpr egamemeal .

Ast hepr ogr am’ smostdecor at ed pl ayeri nhi st or y , Iwasabl et ot al kaboutt he60year sofpl ayer st hatcamebef or e t hem andhoweachandever yoneofuswoul dst andi nconfidencebehi ndt hem.

I evenment i onedt heUVM t shi r tt hatIwaswear i ngt hatwasi ssuedt omeonmy fir stdayoft r ai ni ngf r eshmanyearandhowi thashungi nmycl oseteversi ncet o bewor nonl yonani ghtl i ket hatni ght .

Aspr oudasIwast hen, whenIputonmyUSYSCEOhat , t hatni ghtbecamean i ncr edi bl er emi ndert ot hepowerofspor t , howi tcanshapeyou, defineyouand becomeapar tofyouf oral i f et i me.

Ther ei snobet t erf eel i ngt hant opl ayf oryour hi ghschool orcol l ege.

Yes, youar eoutont hefiel dbecauseyoul ovet hespor t .

Butwhenyouar et her eanddr i vi ngt oear nawi n, youar eont hefiel dr epr esent i ng yourt eammat es, yourcl assmat es, t eacher s, f ami l y , f r i endsandcommuni t y .

I ti s aspeci al bondt hatal l owsyout of ondl yr ecal l t hosemoment sasyouage, t o r el i vet hosememor i eswhenyouar ewi t hol dt eammat esandt of eel pr i dei nwhat youdi dyear sear l i erwhenyouar esi t t i ngi nt hest andsonacol dni ghtwat chi ng t het eam oft odaywi naNat i onal Champi onshi p.

Myhati st i ppedt ot hei ncr edi bl eeffor tbyUVM At hl et i cDi r ect orJeffSchul man, t hei rcoachRobDowandt heent i r eUVM men’ st eam f ort hei rCi nder el l aseason andal l owi ngsomanypastpl ayer st or econnect , r el i vememor i esofol dand cel ebr at esuccess.

Thati st hel ast i ngpowerofspor t .

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NOTEFROM LEADERSHI P Toal l whocur r ent l ypl ay , coach, andr ef er eeourspor tandf oral l oft hosewho st andar oundt hesi del i nest oshowsuppor t , i tdoesnotmat t erhowf aryourt eam advancesorhowmanymi nut esyoupl ay .

I t ’ sal l aboutbei ngapar tofa communi t yt hatwi l l hel pyoumakef r i endshi psandal l i ancest hatwi l l l asta l i f et i me.

Her e’ st oagr eat2025f oral l t hatar econnect edt ot hespor twel ove.

Thoseofus wor ki ngatUSYSappl audyouandst andr eadyt osuppor tyou.

Ski pGi l ber t USYout hSoccerChi efExecut i veOfficer

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SUPPORTTOPSOCCER I N YOURCOMMUNI TI ES

APPLYFORAGRANT ( STATEASSOCI ATI ONS)

APPLYFORAGRANT ( I NDI VI DUALPROGRAMS)

APPLI CATI ONPERI ODCLOSESJAN. 24

LATESTNEWS

TZ LLAN,ANDSEI COPPLE,MACMI NEHALLOFFAMECLASS HEADLI USYout hSoccer( USYS)announcedPam Coppl e, adecadesl ongvol unt eerofbot h Washi ngt onSt at eYout hSoccerandUSYS; ShannonMacMi l l an, af or merUni t edSt at es women’ snat i onal t eam st ar ;andKar i Sei t z, oneoft hemostdecor at edr ef er eesofal l t i me, ast henewestmember sofi t sHal l ofFame.

Coppl e’ sr el at i onshi pt ot hespor tcanbe t r acedbacknear l y50year st oherear l ydays wi t ht heWashi ngt onSt at eYout hSoccer Associ at i on.

Someofherpr eemi nentwor k camedur i ngherfir stf ewyear sasPr esi denti n t heEver gr eenSt at e–mostsi gni ficant l yher effor t st oest abl i shaRi skManagement pr ogr am i n1 992.

Coppl e’ ssuccessi nt hatendeavorear nedher t heat t ent i onoft heUSYout hSoccerRegi onI V Commi t t ee, whoenl i st edherasChai rshor t l y t her eaf t er .Coppl et henf oundher sel fpar t i ci pat i ngonUSYS’Ri skManagementCommi t t ee, wher eshehel pedposi t i ont hel ar gestyout hspor tor gani zat i oni nt hecount r yasoneoft he l eader si nt hefiel d–at i t l est i l lt r uet oday.

Thr oughoutal mostfivedecadesofser vi cet ot hespor t ,Coppl eal soser vedonmany not ewor t hycommi t t eest of ur t hert hegame,namel yt heU. S.SoccerWomen’ sCommi t t ee, U. S.SoccerConst i t ut i onalCommi ssi onPl anni ngCommi t t ee,USYSGi r l sNat i onal Champi onshi pCommi t t ee,andt heUSYSRegi onI VODPSt r at egi cPl anni ngCommi t t ee, amongmanyot her s.

Coppl e’ seffor t st ogr owt hegamear eongoi ng,asshei st hecur r entUSYout hSoccer Hi st or i anandamemberoft heUSYSHal lofFameCommi t t ee.

MacMi l l an’ sfir stdaysont hepi t chwer ewi t hCalSout h’ sEscondi doRanchoBer nar doSoccer Cl ub.Shest ayedwi t ht heUSYout hSocceraffil i at e–fir stwi t ht heHor net s,t henwi t h

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LATESTNEWS Pegasusandt heNomads–herent i r eyout hcar eer .

MacMi l l an’ sr unt ot hefinal sof t heUSYSNat i onal Champi onshi pwi t hPegasuscaughtt heeyesofcol l egescout s andear nedheraschol ar shi pt ot heUni ver si t yofPor t l and.

MacMi l l ant hent ookt hecol l egi at egamebyst or m dur i ngherfir styearwi t ht he Pi l ot s.

Shewasnamedt heWCCFr eshmanoft heYeari n1 992andf ol l owedt hatup wi t hWCCOffensi vePl ayeroft heYearhonor sasasophomor e.

MacMi l l ancont i nued t ogetbet t ereachyearandbecamet hefir stPi l ott oear nt hespor t ’ shi ghest i ndi vi dual honor–t heMACHer mannTr ophy–asaseni or .

Thr oughoutheri l l ust r i ouscar eeratPor t l and, MacMi l l anwasat hr eet i meMAC Her mannTr ophyfinal i st , t hr eet i meUni t edSoccerCoachesfir stt eam Al l Amer i can, andf our t i meAl l WCCfir stt eam sel ect i on.

Sher ankst hi r dal l t i mei npr ogr am hi st or yi npoi nt s( 21 9) , goal s( 87) , andassi st s( 45) .

MacMi l l an’ si mpr essi vest ar tt ohercol l egi at ecar eerdr ewt heeyesoft heU. S. Women’ sNat i onal Team, andshemadeherfir stappear ancef ort heSt ar sand St r i pesi n1 994.

Thr oughout1 2year swi t ht heUSWNT, MacMi l l anappear edi n1 76 gamesandscor ed60goal s.

Shewasacr uci al pi ecet ot heUni t edSt at es’ Wor l dCup wi nni ngt eam i n1 999andwasal soamemberoft he2003t eam t hatfini shedt hi r d.

MacMi l l anal sopl ayedf ort heU. S. Ol ympi cTeam t wi ce, ear ni ngbot hgol d( 1 996)and si l ver( 2000)medal s.

MacMi l l ani snowt heChi efI mpactOfficerf ort heNWSL’ sSanDi egoWaveFC. Sei t z’ memor abl ecar eeri nr ef er eei ngst ar t edi nBr i ght on, Mi ch. , i n1 984.

She offici at edyout hgamesf orei ghtyear si nt heGr eatLakesSt at ebef or emovi ngt o Chi cago, wher eshehadaccesst ot our nament sont her egi onal andnat i onal st ages.

Sei t zal sopar t i ci pat edi nI owaSoccer ’ sOl ympi cDevel opmentPr ogr am.

Shet hen movedt oCal i f or ni ai n1 997andat t endedt woUSYSt our nament sasar ef er eeand ment orwi t hCal Nor t hYout hSoccer .

Sei t z, whi l econt i nui ngt osuppor tr ef er eesi nsi deofUSYout hSoccer , becameaFI FA r ef er eei n1 999andoffici at edi nherfir stWor l dCupt hatyear .

Shewoul dgoont o par t i ci pat ei nt hr eemor eandi st heonl yr ef er eet oevercoverf ourWor l dCups( 1 999, 2003, 2007 , 201 1 )andf ourOl ympi cevent s( 2004, 2008, 201 2, 201 6) .

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LATESTNEWS Sei t z’ s28yearcar eerasaU. S. Soccerr ef er eesawheroffici at emat chesi n1 8 di ffer entcount r i esandcovernat i onal t eamsf r om 42di ffer entcount r i es.

I naddi t i on t oSei t z’ scar eeront hei nt er nat i onal st age, shewasanMLSr ef er eef orf ouryear s ( 1 9982001 )andoffici at edf orWUSA, WPS, andNWSLf r om 2001 201 3.

Sei t zal so offici at edf ourNCAAFi nal sacr ossDi vi si onsI I I Iandt he201 3NWSLChampi onshi p mat ch.

Sei t zhasbeenaFI FAI nst r uct orsi nce201 4andbecameU. S. Soccer ’ sfir stVi ce Pr esi dentofRef er eei ngi nApr i l .

Pr i ort ocomi ngbackt ot heUni t edSt at es, Sei t zhad beent heHeadofRef er eei ngf orFI FA, wher eshewasr esponsi bl ef orl eadi ngt he gl obal devel opmentoff emal er ef er eei ng, si nce201 6.

Thi syear ’ st hr eeper soncl asswi l l behonor ednextweekatUSYout hSoccer ’ s awar dsl uncheononThur s. , Jan. 9, 2025, i nChi cagoatt heUni t edSoccerCoaches Convent i on.

TheUSYout hSoccerHal l ofFamehashonor edi ndi vi dual st hathavemade si gni ficantcont r i but i onst ot hespor tonanannual basi ssi ncei t sest abl i shmenti n 2008.

Wi t hCoppl e, MacMi l l an, andSei t zbei ngi nduct ed, t her ear enow50member s ofUSYS’ mostest eemedgr oup.

Readmor eatUSYout hSoccer . or g

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LATESTNEWS

TH 2025 AN BARKERHONOREDWI I DR.THOMASFLECKAWARD USYout hSoccer( USYS)i st hr i l l edt o announcet hatI anBar ker , al ongst andi ng pr esencei nt hecoachi ngcommuni t y , has beennamedast her eci pi entofi t s2025Dr .

ThomasFl eckAwar d.

Bar ker–t he21 sti ndi vi dual t or ecei vet he awar d–j oi nsal i stofment or st hathavemade ext ensi veandf ar r eachi ngcont r i but i onst o t hepr ocessbywhi chyout hsoccercoaches ar eeducat ed, whi l econsi st ent l ydi spl ayi ng i nt egr i t y , honor , humor , andhumi l i t y .

Bar kerat t endedt heUni ver si t yofWar wi cki n Engl and, wher ehepl ayedcol l egi at el yand r ecei vedbot haBachel orofAr t si nPhi l osophy andLi t er at ur eandaPostGr aduat eCer t i ficat e i nEducat i on.

Hi sr ol eont hesi del i nescanbet r acedbackt o 1 989dur i nghi sdaysasanassi st antcoachf ort heUni ver si t yofWi sconsi nMadi sonmen’ s soccert eam.I nt heei ghtyear sBar kerspentwi t ht heBadger s,t het eam madef ourNCAA t our namentappear ancesandr eachedt hepi nnacl eoft hespor ti n1 995,whent heywonbot h t heBi gTenandNat i onalChampi onshi p.Whi l eser vi ngast hel eadassi st antatWi sconsi n, Bar kerpost edani mpr essi ver ecor dof1 1 1 3820.

Af t erl eavi ngMadi son,Bar kert ookont heDi r ect orofCoachi ngandPl ayerDevel opment posi t i oni nsi deoft heMi nnesot aYout hSoccerAssoci at i on.Hehel dt hatr ol ef ormor et han1 0 year s,over seei ngt hecoachi ngeducat i onofaSt at eAssoci at i ont hatr epr esent edmor et han 1 40cl ubsand75, 000member s.Whi l er esi di ngi nt heGopherSt at e,Bar keral sot ook coachi ngr ol esatMacal est erCol l egei nSt .Paulf or1 3year s.I nhi sei ghtseasonsashead coachoft heScot s,Bar kerwent87531 4andwont hr eeMI ACconf er encechampi onshi ps.

Bar kerl ef tMacal est erandt hecol l egegamei n201 2t obecomet heDi r ect orofCoachi ng Educat i onf orUni t edSoccerCoaches–ar ol ehehel df or1 0year s.

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LATESTNEWS Thr oughoutBar ker ’ smanyyear si nt hecoachi ngcommuni t y , heser vedont henat i onal i nst r uct i onal st afff orU. S. Soccer , USYout hSoccer , andUni t edSoccerCoaches.

He hol dsf or mal coachi ngqual i ficat i onsf oral l t hr ee, aswel l ast heEngl i shandGer man Foot bal l Associ at i ons.

Bar keri scur r ent l yaCoachEducat orDevel operf orU. S. Soccer .

Whatt hey’ r esayi ngaboutI anBar ker . . . “ Thi sawar dr ecogni z esI an’ sexcept i onal commi t mentt oadvanci ngcoachi ng educat i onandhi sdedi cat i ont oshapi ngt henextgener at i onofcoaches.

Thr oughhi s l eader shi p, hehasnotonl yel evat edt hepr of essi onbutal soempower edot her st or each t hei rf ul l pot ent i al . ” -Tom Condone, USYout hSoccerChi efSoccerOfficer “ I , al ongwi t hmanyot her s, consi derI anagr eatt eacheroft hegame.

Thr oughal l ofhi s i nt er act i ons, hehasbeenabl et oi nspi r eagr eatl oveandpassi onf orsoccer .

Hehast he abi l i t yt oshapeal l oft hepeopl ehemeet sbyshar i nghi sl essonsf r om t hegamet o i mpr oveanyonebot honandf arbeyondt hefiel d. ” -Adam Howar t h, I l l i noi sYout hSoccerAssoci at i onDi r ect orofCoachi ng “ Anyonewhohashadt heoppor t uni t yt owor kal ongsi deI anunder st andst hei mpacthe hasmadeonhel pi ngi ndi vi dual st obecomet hebestver si onsoft hemsel ves.

Asacoach educat or , I ansi mpl ydoesn’ tt eachsoccer , het eachesl i f el essons. ” -Bi l lGl aze, Ohi oSoccerAssoci at i onChi efTechni cal Officer “ I ant r ul ydeser vest hi sawar d.

Hi sconst antsuppor tf ort housandsofcoacheshasbeen r emar kabl e.

Hei sal wayswi l l i ngt ogi vehi st i meandat t ent i ont oal l whoseeki tandhas donesowi t hasmi l eonhi sf ace. ” m Br adbur y, East er nNewYor kYout hSoccerAssoci at i onDi r ect orofCoachi ng -Ti Educat i on “ I an’ si mpactoncoachesandt hegamei si mmeasur abl e.

Hei sat er r i ficeducat orand ment ort omany , i ncl udi ngmysel f . ” -Der ekWi l l i s, Kent uckyYout hSoccerAssoci at i onTechni cal Di r ect or

Readmor eatUSYout hSoccer . or g

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JOI N THE

LATESTNEWS

TH USYOUTH SOCCERPARTNERSWI VKTRYGEAR +HI GHLI GHT Bot hpl ayerper f or manceandpr ot ect i onwi l lbeenhanced

USYout hSoccer( USYS) , t hel ar gest yout hspor tor gani z at i oni nt he count r y , hast eamedupwi t hVKTRY Gear , t hei ndust r yl eaderi n per f or mancei nsol es, t oenhance pl ayerper f or manceandpr ot ect i on f oral l ofi t smember s.

Toget her , t he t woai mt oempowert henext gener at i onofsoccerpl ayer s.

USYout hSoccerpl ayer swi l l be pr ovi dedwi t haccesst oVKTRY Per f or manceI nsol es— apr oduct sci ent i fical l yengi neer edt oi mpr oveat hl et i cper f or manceandr educei nj ur yr i sk.

VKTRY’ sf ul l l engt haer ospacegr adecar bonfiberi nsol escont i nuet obet r ust edbyel i t e at hl et esacr ossmul t i pl espor t swi t hadesi gnt hatboost sener gyr et ur n, i mpr oves st abi l i t y , andsuppor t sopt i mal bi omechani cs. “ Ourpar t ner shi pwi t hVKTRYGearal i gnswi t hourmi ssi onofpr ovi di ngwor l dcl ass suppor tandr esour cest ohel pever ymemberf ul fil l t hei rgoal s, ”sai dUSYSCEOSki p Gi l ber t . “ VKTRY’ sdedi cat i ont oi nnovat i onandpl ayerpr ot ect i onmakest hem aper f ect par t nert obenefitt he2.

68mi l l i onpl ayer si nsi deofUSYout hSoccer , al ongwi t ht he t housandsofcoachesandr ef er ees. ” I naddi t i ont oaccesst ot hePer f or manceI nsol es, USYout hSoccerandVKTRYGearwi l l f ur t hert heshar edgoal ofadvanci ngyout hsoccerbyoffer i ngeducat i onal i ni t i at i ves, pr oductavai l abi l i t yatUSYSevent s, andspeci al offer sf orpl ayer sandf ami l i es.

USYSwi l l al sowor kal ongsi deVKTRYt ohosti nt er act i vesessi onsoni nj ur ypr ot ect i on, r ecover y , andper f or manceenhancement . “ We’ r et hr i l l edt oj oi nf or ceswi t hUSYout hSoccer , ”sai dVKTRYGearCEOSt eveWasi k. “ Yout hsocceri sacr i t i cal par tofdevel opi ngf ut ur est ar si nt hespor t , andwear e dedi cat edt ohel pi ngt hesepl ayer sper f or m att hei rbestwhi l est ayi ngsaf e.

Toget her , we’ r ecr eat i ngapat hwayf orsuccessonandofft hefiel d. ” Readmor eatUSYout hSoccer . or g

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FI NDYOUR EVENTPHOTOS

LATESTNEWS

NGWEEKEND LLI BOYSCOMPLETETHRI ZONA N ARI NALSI ATQUARTERFI +HI GHLI GHT 1 1 6t eamsadvancedt o NLSemi final s

Fourexci t i ngdaysofact i onatt heUSYSNat i onal LeagueQuar t er final si nMesa, Ar i z. , saw1 1 6boyst eamsear nt hei rpl acei nt henextst ageofnat i onal event s— t he Nat i onal LeagueSemi final s.

Thel at estboys’ quar t er final t ookpl aceDec. 69andi ncl udedt eamspr i mar i l yf r om t heNat i onal LeagueConf er encesandt heEl i t e64Regi onal League.

Teamscompet ed i ngr ouppl ay , wi t ht hegr oupsdesi gnat edaspar tofei t herar edorbl uepat hway .

Teamst hatadvancedoutofr edgr oupswi l l moveont ot hefir stsemi final eventi n Febr uar y2025i nRoundRock, Texas.

Teamst hatadvancedoutofbl uegr oupswi l l moveont ot hesecondsemi final eventi nMay2025i nOceansi de, Cal i f .

Att he semi final s, t eamswi l l compet ef orachancet oqual i f yf ort he2025USYSNat i onal Champi onshi ps, pr esent edbyNewYor kLi f e.

Thel ongst andi ngf ocusoft heNat i onal League’ st eambasedf or mati st oal l owany t eam — nomat t ert hecl ub’ ssi z eorbackgr ound— t oear nt hei rpl acei nt hehi ghest l evel sofcompet i t i onbasedont hei rpl ayont hefiel d.

That ’ swhat1 9UBoyssi dePYSC 07BOr ange( NYE)hasdone, asi tl ookst omakeanamef ori t scl ubont henat i onal st age.

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LATESTNEWS “ It hi nkt hi si sabeaut i f ul envi r onment … Weknowever ygamei sat oughgame, and t hepl ayer shavet oshowupandfightwi t hever yt hi ngont hel i ne, ”PYSCcoach HamadSanni sai d. “ We’ r ef r om Br ookl yn, N. Y. Themaj or i t yofourki dsar ebl ackand Hi spani cki dsf r om l oweri ncomenei ghbor hoods.

We’ ver eal l yf ocusedonchar act er devel opmentovert heyear s, andnowwe’ r ecomi ngoutandshowi ngourl evel —t hat wehaver eal t al entatourcl ub. ” Theboyst eamsadvanci ngf r om t heDecemberQuar t er final st ot heNat i onal League Semi final scomef r om 35di ffer entUSYSSt at eAssoci at i ons.

I l l i noi sl edt hewaywi t h 1 5t eamst hatar emovi ngont ot henextst ageofevent s, whi l eFl or i daf ol l owedwi t h1 1 advanci ngt eams.

Mi chi ganandOhi oeachhaveei ghtt eamsmovi ngon, andEast er n NewYor khasseven.

Al l f ourdef endi ngNat i onal Champi onst hatcompet edt hi sweekendi nAr i z ona secur edapl acei nt hei rr espect i vesemi final event s.

Thoset eams— TheFoot bal l AcademyNJ1 1 BBl ack( NJ) , PonysF. C. 201 0( I L) , Aspi r eFC09BBl ack( TXS)and Ut ahCel t i c08BE64Br adl ey( UT)— eachwont hei rquar t er final gr oupdur i ngt he act i oni nMesa.

Wi t ht i cket spunchedt ot heNat i onal LeagueSemi final s, t eamscanbegi nt osett hei r si ght sonsecur i ngaber t ht ot he2025Nat i onal Champi onshi ps.

Wi t ht he compet i t i venessoft heNat i onal League, somepl ayer sknowt heycan’ tl ookt oof ar ahead. “ That ’ swhatwewant— wewantt heNat i onal Champi onshi p, ”sai dMISt ar s 201 0Bmi dfiel derOl enKl umpp. “ It hi nkwej ustneedt of ocusononest epatat i me.

Ever ygamemat t er smor et hant henexti nourheads. ” Ful ll i stof1 1 6Nat i onalLeagueSemi finalqual i fier savai l abl eonwebsi t ear t i cl e.

Readmor eatUSYSNat i onal League. com

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C L A I M$ 2 0 0O F F

LATESTNEWS

NGWEEKEND LLI RLSCOMPLETETHRI GI ZONA N ARI NALSI ATQUARTERFI +HI GHLI GHT 68t eamsadvancedt o NLSemi final s

Fourexci t i ngdaysofact i onatt heUSYSNat i onal LeagueQuar t er final si nMesa, Ar i z. , saw68gi r l st eamsear nt hei rpl acei nt henextst ageofnat i onal event s— t he Nat i onal LeagueSemi final s.

Thel at estgi r l s’ quar t er final t ookpl aceDec. 1 31 6andi ncl udedt eamspr i mar i l yf r om t heNat i onal LeagueConf er encesandt heEl i t e64Regi onal League.

Teamscompet ed i ngr ouppl ay , wi t ht hegr oupsdesi gnat edaspar tofei t herar edorbl uepat hway .

Teamst hatadvancedoutofr edgr oupswi l l moveont ot hefir stsemi final eventi n Febr uar y2025i nRoundRock, Texas.

Teamst hatadvancedoutofbl uegr oupswi l l moveont ot hesecondsemi final eventi nMay2025i nOceansi de, Cal i f .

Ateach semi final , t eamswi l l compet ef orber t hst ot he2025USYSNat i onal Champi onshi ps, pr esent edbyNewYor kLi f e. “ Lastyear , wewer esuccessf ul enought ogett ot heNat i onal Champi onshi psand madei tt ot hefinal mat ch, ”sai dCol umbusUni t edG1 1Li ons( OH)coachNi kki Thor ne, whoset eam secur edaspoti nt heNat i onal LeagueSemi final s. “ Get t i ngt he oppor t uni t yt ocomeher eandst ar tt hej our neyagai natt heNat i onal League Quar t er final s— andget t i ngt heoppor t uni t yt ot r yt ogetbackt ot heNat i onal Champi onshi p— i shuge.

Togetbackt her ei sul t i mat el yt hegoal . ” P .

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LATESTNEWS Nat i onal sUni on06GBl ack( MI )wast hel onedef endi ngNat i onal Champi ont o advancet ot heNat i onal LeagueSemi final sf r om t hegamest hi sweekendi nAr i z ona.

Addi t i onal l y , 2024Nat i onal Fi nal i st sCol umbusUni t edG1 0Li ons( OH)andCol umbus Uni t edG1 1Li ons( OH)eachwonal l oft hei rgamesi nMesat oadvancet ot heNat i onal LeagueSemi final s.

Mi chi ganl edal l USYSSt at eAssoci at i onswi t hni net eamst hatadvancedt ot he Nat i onal LeagueSemi final sdur i ngt hegi r l sweekendi nAr i z ona.

Ohi oandNor t h Texaseachhadei ghtt eamsadvance, Sout hTexassawfivet eamsmoveon, and Mar yl andandEast er nPennsyl vani aeachhadf ourt eamsqual i f yf ort henextst ageof event s.

Thet eamsmovi ngont ot heNat i onal LeagueSemi final swi l l dosowi t ht hei rsi ght s setonqual i f yi ngf ort he2025USYSNat i onal Champi onshi ps.

Forsomesquads, t hat ’ sagoal t hat ’ sbeenyear si nt hemaki ng. “ We’ vebeenwor ki nghar dal l year , andt hi si sonest epf or war d, ”sai dMel ani aTur ano, acent erbackandf or war df orSout hShor eFCLegacyG09( NYE) . “ Comi ngher ei s gr eat .

Wepl ayabunchofgr eatt eamsf r om al l overandgett oshowcaseourt al ent .

Andwor kt owar dt hecommongoal ofget t i ngbackt oNat i onal st hi sseason. ” Ful ll i stof68Nat i onalLeagueSemi finalqual i fier savai l abl eonwebsi t ear t i cl e.

Readmor eatUSYSNat i onal League. com

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JOI N THETHI RDTEAM SI GNUPNOW

ST ATEASSOCI ATI ON SPOTLI GHT

STLEON NGTHEWHI OWABLOWI I REFEREEABUSE Bet ween201 8and2022, t heSt at e ofI owaexper i enceda46% decl i ne i ncer t i fiedsoccerr ef er ees, l eadi ng t onumer ousyout handadul t mat chesl acki ngadequat e offici at i ng.

Recogni zi ngt hecr i t i cal r ol et hatr ef er eespl ayi nensur i ng f ai randequi t abl ecompet i t i on, I owa SoccerAssoci at i onl aunchedi t s Ref er eeDevel opmentPr ogr am ( RDP)i nMay2023.

Thi si ni t i at i ve r epr esent sasubst ant i al i nvest ment ofmor et hanaquar t ermi l l i on dol l ar sovert hr eeyear s, ai mi ngt or ecr ui t , r et ai n, t r ai nandsuppor tr ef er eesacr osst he st at e.

Thedecl i nei nr ef er eesi snotuni quet oI owa.

Nat i onwi de, yout hspor t spr ogr amsar e gr appl i ngwi t hasi gni ficantshor t ageofoffici al s.

Sur veysr eveal t hatover70% of r ef er eesl eavet her ol eduet over bal abuseandhar assmentf r om par ent s, coachesand pl ayer s, l eadi ngt osi gni ficantchal l engesi nr ef er eer ecr ui t mentandr et ent i on. ’ “ RDPf ocusesnotj ustoni ndi vi dual ski l l butoncr eat i ngacul t ur ewher ewegr ow t oget herwi t hourcl ubs, uni t edasavi t al par toft heI owasoccercommuni t y , ”sai d Hi daj etTi ca, I owaSoccerRef er ee&Spor t smanshi pDi r ect or .

TheRDPoffer sI owaSoccermember sexcl usi veaccesst or esour cest hatpr omot e “ Respect4Al l , ”emphasi zi ngt hecol l ect i ver esponsi bi l i t yofcoaches, pl ayer s, r ef er ees andsuppor t er si nf ost er i ngaposi t i vegameenvi r onment .

Byaddr essi ngpar t i ci pant behavi orandenhanci ngr ef er eet r ai ni ng, t hepr ogr am aspi r est oel evat et heover al l soccerexper i encei nI owa.

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ST ATEASSOCI ATI ON SPOTLI GHT Thr ought ar get edpr ogr ammi ngt hataddr essespar t i ci pantbehavi ordur i nggames, al ongwi t hast r at egi cpar t ner shi pwi t ht heI owaRef er eeCommi t t ee( I RC) , t heRDPi s f ocusedonr ecr ui t i ng, r et ai ni ng, t r ai ni ngandsuppor t i ngr ef er ees.

Thi scol l abor at i ve effor tai mst oi ncr easet henumberofcer t i fiedsocceroffici al si nI owawhi l eenhanci ng t heover al l gamedayexper i encef orpl ayer s, coachesandf ansal i ke. “ Ref er eedevel opmentpr ogr amsar et hecor ner st oneoff ai rpl ayi nspor t s, ”sai dRob Sor ey , I owaSt at eRef er eeAdmi ni st r at or . “ Byi nvest i ngi nt het r ai ni ngandgr owt hof offici al s, wenotonl yensur et hei nt egr i t yoft hegamebutal socul t i vat et henext gener at i onofl eader swhouphol dt heval uesoff ai r ness, r espectandaccount abi l i t y . ” Thei mpactoft heRDPhasal r eadybeenevi dent , wi t hanumberofcl ubsact i vel y par t i ci pat i ngi nt hepr ogr am.

Thesecol l abor at i onsar epi vot al i nr ebui l di ngt her ef er ee communi t yandensur i ngt hatmat chesar econduct edwi t hi nt egr i t yand pr of essi onal i sm. “ DesMoi nesSoccerCl ubhasbeenpar t i ci pat i ngi nt heRef er eeDevel opmentPr ogr am ( RDP)si ncei t si ncept i on, ”sai dSt eveWi l keShapi r o, Di r ect orofRef er eesatDesMoi nes SoccerCl ub. “ Amaj orbenefitwehaveexper i encedi st hatourpr ogr am nowpr ovi desa mor epr of essi onal exper i encef orourf ami l i esatver yl i t t l ecost .

I ti sgr eatt oseet he1 2 t o1 4yearol daspi r i ngr ef er eesoutont hefiel ds( dr essedi nt hei rRDPshi r t s)engagi ng wi t hki ds, t eachi ngsoccer , andofcour sebui l di ngt hei rownski l l set . ” Byt aki ngacompr ehensi veappr oach, t heRDPnotonl yaddr essest hei mmedi at e shor t ageofr ef er eesbutal soseekst ocr eat easust ai nabl ecommuni t yf oroffici al s.

The i ni t i at i vedi r ect l yt ackl eskeyf act or scont r i but i ngt ot heshor t age, suchast oxi csi del i ne behavi or , bypr omot i ngacul t ur eofr espectandaccount abi l i t yamongal l st akehol der s.

Thr oughi nvest menti neducat i on, suppor tandl ongt er m sol ut i ons, I owaSoccer Associ at i oni sf ocusedont aki ngsi gni ficantst epst osecur et hef ut ur eofsocceri nt he st at e. “ TheRDPwasdesi gnedwi t ht wobasi cpr i nci pl est oi ncr easet henumberofr ef er ees, ” sai dDanCat al di , Chi efExecut i veOfficeroft heI owaSoccerAssoci at i on. “ Fi r st , el i mi nat ebar r i er sbymaki ngi teasi ert ogetst ar t ed.

Second, i tai mst oi mpr ovet he exper i encef ornewr ef er eesbymaki ngwhatt heyl ear ni nt r ai ni ngmor er el evantt owhat t heyexper i enceandbycr eat i ngamor eposi t i veenvi r onmentatt hefiel d. ”

Readmor eatI owaSoccer . or g

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ST ATEASSOCI ATI ON SPOTLI GHT

FYSAANDTAMPABAYSUN GHT RLSTAKEOVERNI CELEBRATEGI

I nagr oundbr eaki ngpar t ner shi pbet weenFl or i daYout hSoccerAssoci at i on( FYSA)and t heTampaBaySun, t hei naugur al Gi r l sTakeOverNi ghtwashel donNovember1 6att he Sun’ shomest adi um.

Theeventmar kedt hefir stcol l abor at i veeffor tbet weenFYSAand t hepr of essi onal women’ st eam andwasanover whel mi ngsuccess, gi vi ngyounggi r l si n t hecommuni t yt heoppor t uni t yt owat cht opt i erpr of essi onal soccerwhi l ecel ebr at i ng t hepowerandpot ent i al ofwomeni nspor t s.

Theeveni ng’ sf est i vi t i eski ckedoffwi t hanexci t i ngat mospher easf ami l i es, pl ayer s, and suppor t er sgat her edatt hest adi um, eagert owi t nessanunf or get t abl eni ght .

Theevent wasgear edt oempoweryoungf emal eat hl et es, i nspi r et hei rdr eams, andshowcaset he gr owi ngi mpactofwomen’ spr of essi onal soccer .

Gi r l sf r om acr osst her egi onfil l edt he st ands, eager l yant i ci pat i ngt hemat ch, ast heTampaBaySunt ookt ot hefiel df oran el ect r i f yi nggame.

FYSA, al ongt i meadvocat ef oryout hsoccerdevel opmenti nFl or i da, hasconsi st ent l y f ocusedonpr ovi di ngoppor t uni t i esf orgi r l si nspor t s.

TheGi r l sTakeOverNi ghtwasan ext ensi onoft hi smi ssi on, desi gnednotonl yt oexposeyounggi r l st ot heexci t ementof l i vepr of essi onal soccerbutal sot ohi ghl i ghtt hei mpor t anceofst r ongf emal er ol e model si nt hegame.

I twasani ghtdedi cat edt obot hcel ebr at i ngandel evat i ngwomeni n spor t .

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ST ATEASSOCI ATI ON SPOTLI GHT “ Wecoul dn’ tbemor et hr i l l edwi t ht heout comeoft heni ght , ”sai dFYSAExecut i ve Di r ect orJoel Dr agan. “ Thecol l abor at i onwi t ht heTampaBaySuni ssomet hi ngwe’ ve beenl ooki ngf or war dt of oral ongt i me.

Seei ngsomanyyounggi r l sget t i ngt he chancet owat chpr of essi onal womenat hl et esandbei nspi r edbyt hem i si ncr edi bl y r ewar di ng.

Wehopet hi seventi gni t est hepassi onf orsocceri nt hei rhear t sand mot i vat est hem t opur suet hei rdr eamsbot honandofft hefiel d. ” Themat chi t sel fwasat hr i l l i ngdi spl ayofski l l , t eamwor k, anddet er mi nat i on, ast he TampaBaySunputonani mpr essi veshowf ort hecr owd.

Butt hehi ghl i ghtoft he ni ghtwast hecamar ader i eandexci t ementshar edbet weent hepr of essi onal pl ayer s andt heyounggi r l si nat t endance.

Bef or et hemat ch, t hegi r l sat t endi ngwer eabl et o par t i ci pat ei nt hehi ghfivet unnel wi t ht hepr of essi onal at hl et es, l eavi ngl ast i ng memor i es.

Theeventwasal soseenasapower f ul st at ementofsol i dar i t y , wi t ht hel ocal communi t ycomi ngt oget hert osuppor twomen’ sspor t sandencour agef ut ur e f emal eat hl et est odr eam bi g.

Formanyi nt hecr owd, i twasafir stchancet oseeel i t e women’ ssoccerupcl ose, andf ort heyoungpl ayer s, i twasanexper i encet hatwi l l undoubt edl yi nspi r et hei rf ut ur easpi r at i ons.

Gi r l sTakeOverNi ghtwasnotj ustacel ebr at i onofsoccer , butal soar eflect i onoft he posi t i vei mpactt hatpar t ner shi psl i ket heonebet weenFYSAandTampaBaySuncan haveont hecommuni t y .

I tdemonst r at edt hepowerofcol l abor at i oni ncr eat i ng spaceswher egi r l scant hr i ve, findt hei rpassi on, andachi evet hei rgoal s.

Ast heni ghtcamet oacl ose, wi t ht heTampaBaySunsecur i ngavi ct or yont hefiel d, onet hi ngwascl ear :t heeventwasar esoundi ngsuccess, andi t ’ sapar t ner shi pt hat i ssur et oi nspi r ef ut ur egener at i onsoff emal eat hl et es.

ForFYSAandTampaBay Sun, Gi r l sTakeOverNi ghtwasj ustt hebegi nni ng—anexci t i ngst epf or war di n bui l di ngaf ut ur ewher egi r l shaveever yoppor t uni t yt oshi nei nt hewor l dofspor t s.

Readmor eatFYSA. com

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