U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer Announce Partnership

U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer have announced a structural integration designed to unify the American soccer landscape, drive local investment, and streamline player pathways.

Following formal approval by USYS State Associations during their Annual General Meeting, U.S. Soccer will become the sole voting member of USYS as both organisations commence a two-year operational integration timeline.

The alignment aims to harness USYS’s vast grassroots network, comprising nearly 2.7 million registered players across 54 member state associations and 10,000 clubs, and merge it with U.S. Soccer’s national scale and resource capabilities.

The shift is a cornerstone of U.S. Soccer’s broader Pathways Strategy, which seeks to make participation more accessible and reduce financial barriers for families across the country.

Executives from both bodies emphasised the immense long-term commercial and developmental value of the amalgamation.

Highligting the significance of anchoring development within local communities, CEO and secretary general of U.S. Soccer, JT Batson, said: “This is a defining moment for the future of soccer in America.”

“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,” Batson said.

Noting that the agreement builds upon more than fifty years of grassroots leadership, CEO of US Youth Soccer, Tom Condone, added: “US Youth Soccer has spent more than 50 years creating opportunities for millions of players to find their place in the game.”

“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 organisations serving the game and create stronger opportunities for players, families, clubs and communities across the country,” Condone added.

Underscoring the role of State Associations in delivering localised growth, president of U.S. Soccer, Cindy Parlow Cone, noted: “USYS and the State Associations bring the game to life every day at the local level.”

“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,” Cone said.

Echoing these sentiments, chair of the Board for US Youth Soccer, Tina Rincon, emphasised affordability and broader accessibility.

“USYS members took a historic step today to make the game more affordable and accessible to kids and their families across the country.”

“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,” she said.

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