CHICAGO (April 21, 2022) -- U.S. Soccer today announced three new additions to its Fan Council. Rachel Posnick, Liz Lafitte and Lauralynn Stephen join the Council, which represents fan interests in U.S. Soccer governance, while incumbent members Anna Monteiro and Donald Wine, who have been served on the Fan Council since 2020, have been named co-chairs.
Founded in 2018, the Fan Council is dedicated to advocating for all fans of teams under the U.S. Soccer umbrella and aims to increase its outreach and exposure to the U.S. Soccer community, including the affiliated councils and organizations. Posnick, Lafitte and Stephen can serve up to four-year terms on the Council.
Additionally, two members of the Fan Council are selected each year to serve as voting representatives -- formally referred to in the bylaws as Individual Sustaining Members -- on the National Council. The National Council, which is the Federation’s central voting body, is made up of councils representing U.S. Soccer stakeholders including athletes, professional soccer leagues, youth soccer and more. The two selected Fan Council members will vote on issues of Federation governance such as:
- The election of the U.S. Soccer President and Vice President;
- Approval of U.S. Soccer budgets;
- The adoption of amendments to the articles of incorporation and bylaws of U.S. Soccer;
- Affirming the policies approved by the Board of Directors for the past year.
The Fan Council works closely with U.S. Soccer and meets quarterly in person and/or via teleconference. The application to become a fan representative is open to all U.S. Soccer Premium Insiders and above, who are the most dedicated supporters from across the country. Insiders will be notified when the next election will take place.
About the Fan Council Members:
Anna Monteiro
Co-Chairperson
Anna is an avid women’s soccer and basketball fan with a passion for following the USWNT. She has followed the U.S. team to two World Cups and you can usually spot her in USA gear, including her team jersey and her stars and stripes sneakers. As part of the Fan Council, she wants to improve the fan experience and give a voice to those that do not have one.
Donald Wine
Co-Chairperson
Donald has watched and played soccer for almost his entire life, from the days just before the USMNT qualified for the 1990 World Cup to seeing the USWNT lift their fourth World Cup last year. He’s on the national board for the American Outlaws, an independent supporters’ group for the U.S. National Teams, and you will find him regularly at the front of the supporters’ section, banging a huge drum and leading cheers for the entire stadium. In his free time, he enjoys traveling to follow the teams and he also co-manages a blog dedicated to coverage of the U.S. National Teams.
Rachel Posnick
Rachel has been watching soccer her whole life. She’s met some of her best friends in the stands at games. When she’s not traveling to watch the USWNT or yelling from her seat at Providence Park, she’s fighting infectious diseases from her desk as an epidemiologist. As part of the Fan Council, Rachel aspires to make travel accessible to fans who have yet to experience a live game.
Liz Lafitte
Liz has a passion for women’s soccer, whether it is following the USWNT across the world or bouncing around to different NWSL matches – she’s there! With her career in social media, Liz enjoys finding ways to leverage her expertise to both advance women’s sports and advocate for our LGBTQ+ family. In addition to her love for the USWNT, Liz has a special connection to the U.S. Deaf National Teams. When not watching sports, you can find Liz biking on one of the many trails in Austin or playing frisbee at Zilker Park.
Lauralynn Stephen
Lauralynn has deep love and admiration for both the USMNT and USWNT. A US Navy Gulf War veteran, she has respect for the uniform and what it means to put one on. Her 20+ year role as a soccer mom has shown Lauralynn that the fan experience is intrinsic to the development of our youth players. She sees collaboration as the key to success and is eager to connect with other soccer fans to help identify opportunities where positive improvements to the match day experience exist and take the steps necessary to implement those ideas; ensuring that each fan, at every level, has a match day experience that leaves them wanting more soccer in their lives.
