ATLANTA (March 6, 2025) – U.S. Soccer held its Annual General Meeting in Atlanta from Feb. 27 – March 2 where the Federation unveiled its “In Service to Soccer” strategy, which builds on member feedback gained through a full ecosystem review.The new strategy charts a course for bringing soccer everywhere, more soccer success and unlocking new levels of investment into soccer.The strategy aims to uplift and empower members to do what they do best – grow the game of soccer in the U.S.
“As we look to the future, we want soccer to be the most accessible sport in the country,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone during the National Council Meeting.“We want every person who wants to play, every coach who wants to teach, and every referee who wants to officiate, to have a clear and supported pathway to do so. We are making investments to do just that.We must continue strengthening our grassroots programs, supporting our pro leagues and national teams, while celebrating and promoting soccer for everyone in all its forms.”
Building on the new strategy, U.S. Soccer unveiled three ambitions for soccer in America:
- Soccer Everywhere – ensuring everyone, everywhere, experiences the joy of soccer
- Soccer Success – our National Teams and pro leagues are winning on the global stage
- Soccer Investment – maximize and diversify investment to sustainably grow the game at all levels
“The U.S. is a strong soccer nation and credit goes to our members who work tirelessly to grow the grassroots game,” said JT Batson, U.S. Soccer’s CEO and Secretary General. “Soccer is more than a sport; it’s a force for good and we want to empower and embrace the work that our members do in their local communities every day.Through our ‘In Service to Soccer’ strategy, we will focus on the U.S. Way, the Soccer Forward Foundation and Soccer Services to support our members and make an impact across our soccer ecosystem now.”
U.S. Soccer has created unprecedented commercial success, from record-breaking partnerships and merchandise milestones to increased viewership and match attendance, while also unlocking new philanthropic opportunities. Specifically, U.S. Soccer finished fiscal year 2024 with a $9.1 million consolidated surplus and is projecting another meaningful surplus in 2025.2024 was a year of remarkable growth, and U.S. Soccer is now financially stable and rapidly growing as 2025 is set to be another historic year for the sport.
FOUR ORGANIZATIONS JOIN U.S. SOCCER MEMBERSHIP
The Maine Soccer Association, U.S. Amputee Football Federation, United States Dwarf Futbol Association and Utah Soccer Federation joined U.S. Soccer membership this weekend, bringing U.S. Soccer membership to 118 organizations.
The newly sanctioned Maine Soccer Association was approved as Maine’s adult state association, complementing the work performed by Soccer Maine as the state’s youth state association. The organization aims to expand development opportunities for administrators, clubs, players, referees, supporters and all other stakeholders in Maine. With the approval, the U.S. Soccer Federation now has a multi-generational presence in all 50 states.
The U.S. Amputee Football Federation was approved as a Disability Service Organization. The USAFFisan organization committed to empowering all individuals with limb differences through the support, growth, and inclusion of amputee soccer. While there are approximately 100 consistent players in the United States, there are over three million amputees in the country and USAFF is committed to fostering a community of belonging that is welcoming and supportive to all, as well as taking the necessary steps to improve the lives of the amputee soccer family.
Also approved as a Disability Service Organization, the United States Dwarf Futbol Association aims to provide affordable programming for qualifying youth and adult players for local and regional play with the goal of building a program that will lead to a platform for athletes to engage in national championship competitions and national team participation.
Already established as members, the Utah Soccer Association and Utah Youth Soccer Association were recognized as a joint state association, under the name of Utah Soccer Federation.
NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES
- An amendment was approved to change the term duration for Adult Council, Youth Council, Professional Council, and At Large representatives on the Board of Directors from two to four years on new elections going forward.
- An amendment was approved to grant voting rights to the Vice President in the National Council.
- The Council approved an amendment to align the Athletes’ Council with the Team USA Athletes Commission selection process.
- An amendment was approved to harmonize the number of commissioners for the Youth and Adult Councils.
- An amendment was approved to update the responsibilities for the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board to oversee the nomination and selection of Life Members, as well as the nomination and selection of winners for the Werner Fricker Builder Award, Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award, Carla Overbeck Leadership Award and Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award.
- On the Board of Directors front, Mark Johnson was elected to the Independent Director term expiring in 2027; Patti Hart was re-elected to a new Independent Director term, while outgoing members John Collins, Lori Lindsey, Fritz Marth and Danielle Slaton were acknowledged and thanked for their Board service which concluded at the close of the Annual General Meeting.
- The Council approved the proposed U.S. Soccer fiscal year 2026 budget by general consent.
PRESTIGIOUS U.S. SOCCER AWARD WINNERS
Phil Anschutz was the recipient of the Werner Fricker Builder Award, the highest honor in U.S. Soccer, recognizing his pivotal role in establishing and sustaining Major League Soccer. A co-founder of the league, Anschutz owned and operated six MLS teams, playing a critical role in its survival during its early years. His commitment to growing the sport extended to financing one of the first soccer-specific stadiums, Dignity Health Sports Park, and securing English-language television rights for the FIFA World Cup, leaving an enduring legacy in American soccer.
Don Wilbur was honored with the inaugural Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award for his extraordinary contributions to referee development over more than 50 years. As an educator, mentor, and advocate, he has shaped the careers of countless officials, emphasizing mental resilience and ethical leadership. His efforts to provide resources to referees in underserved areas, including delivering uniforms to developing regions, reflect his deep commitment to fairness and inclusion in the global refereeing community.
Tony Sanneh earned the Carla Overbeck Leadership Award for his impact beyond the pitch through The Sanneh Foundation, which he founded in 2003 to support underserved youth through education, mentorship, and soccer-based programming. A former MLS and U.S. Men’s National Team player, Sanneh has dedicated himself to social change, offering free sports camps, academic support, and nutritional programs. His leadership extends globally as a Sports Envoy for the U.S. Department of State, using soccer as a tool for empowerment and community development.
JT Dorsey received the Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award for his groundbreaking work in making soccer more accessible to underserved communities. As the founder of the JT Dorsey Foundation, he has implemented innovative programs like The Game for All Kids, Mobile Education Centers, and Soccer for Success, addressing barriers such as childhood obesity, transportation challenges, and coaching accessibility. His leadership in equity training and mentorship has influenced national soccer development, ensuring long-term inclusivity and sustainability in the sport.
HAMILTON AND ZOLAD ADDED AS LIFE MEMBERS
Jim Hamilton and Kathy Zolad were elected as honorary U.S. Soccer life members by a vote of the National Council.Hamilton served as the first President of the Board of Directors of the United States Soccer Foundation and was pivotal in contributing to the mission and goals to grow the sport of soccer in the U.S.Zolad’s years of service in Connecticut and later in national positions have been focused on growing the game from the grassroots level to the National Teams.Zolad advocated for the inclusion of a youth girls Olympic Development Program and she worked to gain better training and playing opportunities for women when the women’s game was in its infancy.
The 2026 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting will take place in Atlanta from Feb. 19 – 22.
