FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 2, 2026) – This past weekend, more than 500 leaders joined US Youth Soccer (USYS) in Dallas for the 2026 Grassroots Symposium. The event — presented in collaboration with Common Goal and U.S. Soccer’s Soccer Forward — centered on a theme of Moving Legacy Forward, as participants developed a better understanding of how to grow the sport in their communities after three days of group discussions, breakouts, and workshops.
Those in attendance kicked off the symposium with an Opening Plenary led by former United States National Team players Charlie Davies and Danielle Slaton, longtime MLS player Kelyn Rowe, and Common Goal’s Mary Connor.
Select attendees were also able to attend the first-ever Soccer at Schools workshop to continue growing the U.S. Soccer (USSF) and Soccer Forward initiative. Soccer Forward’s Director of Impact Programs, Nora Dooley, talked about their goal of making soccer accessible everywhere and to everyone.
“…It’s the game we want to grow, which is inclusive, fun, and accessible,” Dooley said. “It’s impact-focused – all the beautiful things we know that soccer can be, but not relying on rolling a ball and hoping magic happens. It’s really intentional. It’s about how we can support coaches, soccer leaders, teachers, and schools from all over the country to bring soccer into their school day in a really innovative, impactful, fun, and joyful way so that kids fall in love with the game at school and they stay in love with the game for the rest of their lives.”
Symposium attendees spent Thursday evening at Oak Cliff’s Puede Network, where they were treated to music, dancing, food, and pick-up games at the community-driven, youth empowerment organization’s facility.
Following the conclusion of the Grassroots Symposium sessions on Saturday, those in Dallas had the opportunity able to attend US Youth Soccer’s Recognition Luncheon, where it honored the recipients of the Dr. Thomas Fleck Award, Evelyn Gill Leadership Award, and its annual Hall of Fame inductees.
Saturday also featured USYS’ Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the AGM, U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer took a historic step toward integrating USYS into USSF with the goal of creating greater alignment across the soccer landscape and creating a stronger relationship with soccer communities across the country. To read more about the landmark event, click here.
Landmark Week for Soccer Wraps Up In Dallas
