United States Youth Soccer Association

History

The association was founded in 1974 with 100,000 registered players. Its founding chairman was Donald Greer, who served in the role until 1984 and was also vice president of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1972 to 1984. Greer's co-founders included Karl Grosch and Robert Nessler.

By the early 1990s, USYS counted more than 1 million players, and by 2006 it counted more than 3 million registered players.

Programs

USYS created the Olympic Development Program (ODP) in 1977. , USYS continues to operate the ODP.

ODP works with state soccer associations to identify high-level youth soccer talent via age-grouped tryouts, then selects players for regional development programs and national camps.

Competitions

USYS holds the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships for age groups from under-13 to under-19.

USYS also operates the US Youth Soccer National League.

National select teams compete in tournaments against clubs in other youth leagues, such as the Elite Clubs National League.

Operation

USYS is based in Frisco, Texas, and is led by a chief executive officer. , the CEO of USYS is Skip Gilbert, who has served in the role since January 10, 2020.

Controversy

2022 abuse lawsuit

In August 2022, US Youth Soccer was among the defendants named in a lawsuit brought by a former youth player alleging that organizational negligence contributed to her sexual assault by a youth soccer coach.

Notable alumni

• Deandre Yedlin (Washington Youth Soccer ODP, 2006–2009)
• Chloe Ricketts (Michigan Tigers USYSNL)

In popular culture

Kwame Appiah, featured on season 4 of the Netflix series Love is Blind, was a coach for USYS ODP in Delaware from 2017 to 2018.

References

References

1. Kelley, Tina. (June 25, 2006). "It's Goalkeeper vs. Bookkeeper as I.R.S. Audits Youth Soccer". [[The New York Times]].
2. (February 16, 2023). "Women's Soccer Slams Into the Net". [[United States Postal Service]].
3. "Donald Greer". [[National Soccer Hall of Fame]].
4. (June 19, 2015). "Federal Way honors 'founding father' of youth soccer; gets $90,000 donation for field". [[Federal Way Mirror]].
5. (March 1, 2009). "Largest Youth Sports Organization Celebrates 35th Anniversary". US Youth Soccer.
6. Schwager, Adam. (December 28, 2020). "What exactly is US Youth Soccer ODP?". SoccerWire.
7. Tannenwald, Jonathan. (July 24, 2022). "Philadelphia team wins youth soccer national championship". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
8. (July 25, 2022). "US Youth Soccer National Championships conclude as 14 teams win 2022 titles". SoccerWire.
9. (September 1, 2022). "US Youth Soccer to host 2023 National Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports". SoccerWire.
10. (April 7, 2023). "US Youth Soccer National League introduces new competition format for national events". SoccerWire.
11. (March 6, 2023). "US Youth Soccer Girls ODP National Select Teams shine at Las Vegas Mayor's Cup". SoccerWire.
12. (April 10, 2023). "Around the Country: U.S. Youth Soccer". [[Soccer America]].
13. (November 30, 2022). "US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert Returns to Helm of ACES". US Youth Soccer.
14. Gewirtz, Jason. (December 18, 2019). "Skip Gilbert Named CEO of U.S. Youth Soccer". SportsTravel Magazine.
15. Harwood, Houston. (August 24, 2022). "Lawsuit: National soccer groups' negligence led to sex abuse by Evansville-area youth coach". [[Evansville Courier & Press]].
16. Wiley, Ben. (November 23, 2022). "The American youth soccer of USMNT's World Cup players". [[Soccer America]].
17. (March 3, 2023). "NL alum Chloe Ricketts signs with Spirit, becomes youngest-ever NWSL player". [[US Youth Soccer National League]].
18. Banerjee, Partha Sarathi. (April 8, 2023). "Is Kwame Appiah From 'Love is Blind' A Real Soccer Player?". Sportsmanor.
19. (March 25, 2023). "Love Is Blind Season 4: Kwame Appiah's Soccer Career Explained". ScreenRant.