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McGuire Cup & NCAA champion Zach Barrett looks back on success

In early December, we caught up with Zach Barrett, who most recently helped lead MLS Next Pro’s Huntsville City FC to a 14-6-8 record and a playoff berth in 2025. Before playing professionally, Barrett won both US Youth Soccer and NCAA National Championships with Lehigh Valley United and the University of Vermont, respectively.

With a full season of professional experience under his belt, Barrett now looks back and shares some of his favorite memories.

Note: the following has been edited for clarity.

At what point in your youth career did you think all of the success you’ve had was possible?

I’ve always believed in myself and thought that soccer was going to take me as far as I wanted to go. I’m not sure when it all clicked for me, but I can always just remember that dream I had of becoming a professional soccer player.

With your championship experiences, is there a common factor outside of talent that sets title-winning teams apart – mentality, relationships, or anything like that?

Title-winning teams are built on culture more than anything else. In every high-performing team I’ve been a part of, great leaders are the ones to drive the culture. When you see somebody next to you working hard and doing whatever it takes for the team to win, it is infectious and really drives a team to be the best that they can be. Off the field relationships are also a very common factor that I’ve seen in championship teams. From our Lehigh Valley United (LVU) team in 2019 to the recent Vermont (UVM) team in 2024, everybody was super close and spent a lot of time off the field together. When you can be out there on the field with your best friends, it really takes a lot of the pressure off, because you realize it’s just a game and no matter the result you will still have those close relationships when the final whistle blows.

Five years before you won a NCAA National Championship with Vermont, you won a US Youth Soccer National Championship with your Lehigh Valley United team. How special was it for your team to add your name to the James P. McGuire Cup – the oldest trophy in youth sport?

To be a part of US Youth Soccer history – and especially the McGuire Cup – is very special to me. Our LVU coach, Mike Gorni, is a legendary coach in the Philadelphia area. Leading up to the National Championship and throughout National League, he kept telling us how we had something special and to not take it for granted. I remember before the final, he told us that it could be the last time in our whole soccer career that we get to play for a national championship and to just go out there and have no regrets. I think that really resonated through the team and ultimately drove us to victory.

As soon as you stepped foot on campus at Vermont, you were a mainstay in the starting lineup. How did competing at US Youth Soccer events and in the National League help prepare you for that?

Competing in US Youth Soccer events like the Elite Development Program (EDP) and National League helped me get prepared for the intensity of Division I soccer. When I stepped on campus I was still a pretty small kid compared to the guys on my team. What I did not lack was spirit and mentality, which is what I think USYS helped me with the most. Playing in events all across the region and country exposed me to all different types of players, games, and situations. Playing in important games against top players from the area forced me to elevate my game in areas other than technique and skill. I had to become what I like to call a “mentality monster.” I think that I carried that with me into college and Vermont, which is ultimately one of the reasons I was able to play so much as a freshman and beyond.

You had the game winning assist in the 2024 NCAA National Championship. What was going through your mind while the ball was in the air and then just before Maximilian Kissel scored?

It was like time froze. I remember it as clear as day actually. I stole the ball and it was kind of rolling out of bounds, so I thought I’d just get to it and kick it as far as I could up the sideline. Once I kicked it, I was actually surprised that 1) it actually stayed in bounds and 2) that Maximilian was there chasing it down. When he got on the end of my pass and was 1 on 1 with the goalie, I was frozen in my shoes and looked at everybody else on the field in the exact same situation as me. Then the ball went in and it was an immediate rush of just pure energy, happiness, and feeling of like what just happened.

You were a team captain at Vermont. How did that leadership role help you grow as a person?

Being a captain at Vermont is a role that is a great honor to me and something that I did not take lightly. To be that person on the team that drives the team culture is a very important role. Ultimately, it helped me grow as a person for a few reasons. I’d never really been in a leadership role on any of my youth teams because I was always one of –  if not the – youngest players on the team. So, I always just put my head down and worked hard and didn’t really say much. Being a captain at Vermont, I learned that wasn’t enough. I had to have a choice, but also open myself up to listen. I think this is what has helped me the most as a person.

As a defender, it’s always special to score a goal. Do you have a favorite of the seven you scored at Vermont?

The goal I scored against Albany in my senior year is probably my favorite. It was on my senior night game and we were tied 0-0 late in the second half. We had a corner kick, and the ball was swung into the box and I just remember getting free from my marker and burying it in the back of the net.

Individually, you had a fantastic career as a Catamount. You earned multiple accolades – including America East All-Conference First Team, All-ECAC First Team, and America East Man of the Year. Looking back on that success, is there one award that stands out more than the others.

The most important award to me was actually the last award that I won in my time as a Catamount. It was the America East Man of the Year Award. Here’s a brief description of it: “The America East Man of the Year Award recognizes a senior male student-athlete excelling in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.”

To be recognized for this award with all the other great nominees across all the sports in the conference is special to me. I think it’s the most important to me because it has to do with more than just what happens on the field. I loved immersing myself in the community and being a leader on campus, so to be recognized for my efforts off the field as well as those on the field felt like the perfect culmination to my career as a Catamount.

You signed with Huntsville City FC earlier this year. How was this season for you?

I enjoyed my time in Huntsville and we had a good season as a team. We qualified for the playoffs and won the first playoff game in club history! For me personally, I played in a ton of games and got great experience. I scored my first professional goal against the New York Red Bulls. I also officially re-signed for the club in October and will be returning for another season!

Do you have anything you can share for players competing in The National League now?

Great players are great teammates. Everybody has aspirations to make it to the next level, whether that be collegiately or professionally. The easiest way to stand out is to have a great mentality and be a good teammate. Celebrate the goals, celebrate the big tackles, but also be able to take advice and be coachable.

Photo Credit: Luke Schwartz
Photo Credit: Ryan Manley

Vermont Photo Credit: Luke Schwartz and Ryan Manley

Competition Platform Update from the US Soccer Pathways Strategy Team

As we begin 2026 and look ahead to the United Soccer Coaches Convention, we wanted to share a brief update on the progress of the Pathway Strategy. Over the past several months, we have onboarded all Pathways Participants and engaged every major member audience to gather input and perspective. That work is now informing a set of meaningful next steps, outlined below.

Key Updates

Shaping a Connected Competition Architecture | We have begun working with Pathway Participants to shape a potential competition architecture spanning recreational soccer through the level just below professional play. This work focuses on identifying ‘what must be true’ for players at different ages and stages and the competition structures best suited to support those needs.

Main Points

  • As an initial step, MLS, NWSL, USL, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, ECNL, Girls Academy, and State Associations have shared insights from their environments. This input is helping to inform how a connected architecture can improve player experiences.
  • This process has helped to build understanding from the organizations and enable more productive discussions about a future state system.
  • Next, we will begin socializing an initial version of the proposed competition architecture for broader membership feedback.

Creation of a New, Integrated Team-Based Platform | After nearly two years of dialogue between US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, the two national associations are aligning to create a unified, team-based competition structure – the integration of US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL) and US Youth Soccer’s National League, starting with the 2026-2027 season. Together with U.S. Soccer, this update marks the first step in a broader effort to strengthen optimal soccer competition platforms among national organizations and local / state leagues.

Main Points

  • The unified pathway aligns competition structures to serve tens of thousands of teams nationwide – creating clearer progression, rewarding on-field performance, and maintaining strong connections to local and state-based competitions.
  • By better aligning levels of play and competition standards, the pathway is designed to reduce unnecessary travel while preserving – and in many cases improving –access to meaningful, high-quality matches. The result is a simpler, more efficient structure that improves the participant experience.
  • Additional details on the unified competition structure and future phases of collaboration will be shared in the coming months, beginning at the USC Convention.

How to Engage with Us

The Pathways Strategy team will be at the USC Convention and are currently slated to speak at several USYS workshops, hold 1:1 conversations (as requested and feasible), and be available in-and-around the event. Please complete this survey if you would like to request time (note: if we cannot meet at the Convention, we will set up virtual time after the event). 

Good times are ahead, and we’re looking forward to working with all of you on the path forward! Your voice across both updates is critical in the next phase of work.

Sincerely,

The Pathways Strategy Team

Two-time champion Karlin Wurlitzer shares her story

In mid-November, we caught up with Karlin Wurlitzer, who coached her Leahi ‘12G Premier Green (HI) team to a 13U National Presidents Cup title this summer. Ten years earlier, Wurlitzer was being crowned at the 2015 National Presidents Cup as a Leahi player.

Here she talks about her unique journey – including a look back on some of her favorite memories, the challenges of being from Hawaii, and what she hopes to accomplish next.

Note: the following has been edited for clarity.

Ten years ago, you won the 15U Girls National Presidents Cup with your Leahi 2000 Premier (HI) team. How special was that experience for you back then?

Funnily enough, a few days after we returned from Florida (this year), one of our 2000’s team parents sent out an email commemorating the ten-year anniversary of our win with an old highlights video. So, we all got to take a little trip down memory lane. I still remember being there and thinking it was all some magical dream that I was eventually going to wake up from. Turns out, ten years later, I still haven’t woken up!

Outside of winning, were there any memorable moments during that trip to Overland Park, KS?

The BARBECUE! AMAZING!

The other memorable bit was the player meet-and-greet. I still remember (and have) all the cool stuff we traded, and it was so fun to be able to meet so many people from across the country. In fact, it was so impactful that it was a major selling point to get our team to commit to National Presidents Cup this year. When we learned we had advanced to Tampa, a lot of our families wanted to know if it was worth it to drop everything for a trip across the country (it was hard enough getting them to Idaho for the regional tournament). But I knew that the opening ceremony alone was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we just couldn’t pass up. Thankfully, they believed me, and here we are! 

Fast forward to now – after you led the next generation of Leahi Soccer Club athletes to a National Presidents Cup title. How important was it for you to be able to give that type of experience to your team after having it yourself?

When I learned we had the opportunity to go back to this tournament series, it became my singular goal to get us there – to the point that I might’ve scared a couple of our parents with my insistence!

As a player, your love for soccer is defined by a few key moments throughout your career, and for me this was one of them. I’d bet anything that now it’s one for these girls, too.

And I’m not just talking about the winning (although that was great, I can’t lie). It was the whole atmosphere, the fight, the camaraderie and rivalry, being surrounded by strangers united by one common goal. There’s truly nothing like it.

For players in Hawaii, how important are the opportunities available to them through US Youth Soccer competitions?

In the ever-changing world of youth soccer, the USYS system has been a constant for all of our players, and we can’t thank everyone who makes these things happen enough. Our players work all year just to be able to represent their team on a stage like this one. As coaches and adults, you look back at your time as an athlete and realize what valuable lessons you’ve learned along the way… hard work and being a team player and communication and all that… but when you’re a kid, you just want to play. For these girls, it’s the whole point. That’s what USYS gives us.

What are some challenges as a player (and now coach) in Hawaii that people in other states may not face – and how do you overcome them?

Two come to mind. One is the isolation: the nearest state is a five-and-a-half hour plane trip away, which is not exactly something you can do every weekend. The other is the related issue of only playing teams within a 20-mile radius all year long, which gets old pretty quickly, as you can imagine. When it comes to dealing with that second bit, I think back to what my college coach once told us: your toughest challenges should come during practice. If we can create an environment where our players are pushed to their limits every day, and the hardest opponents they face are themselves, then the games become the easy part. If we’re successful in practice, then our isolation becomes a strength: every time we get the opportunity to travel for games, it is a special moment, and we make it a point to play like it.

…And of course, I would be remiss to not acknowledge the rockstar parents that actually make it happen. From fundraising to planning trips to managing vans full of hungry teenagers – for every successful player to come out of the state of Hawai’i, there are years and years of tireless sacrifices by their parents.

What lessons were you able to take away during your time as a player to help you become such a successful coach?

I was blessed with amazing coaches throughout my youth and collegiate years. Actually, my first – and arguably most influential – coach was my mom, and she is now my assistant coach for our team that won this year! How-full circle is that! But anyway, I was able to shape the way that I coach based on what my mom and all my other coaches taught me. I took what worked, tweaked what didn’t, and took quite a few creative liberties along the way. I am far from perfect, and I’m still learning a lot about myself, but that’s the beauty of soccer: each generation passes down a little bit more to the next, and the game keeps changing for the better.

You had a great career at Idaho State from 2018-2022. How did competing at US Youth Soccer events help prepare you for that next level?

I’m pretty sure 90-95% of that National Presidents Cup winning team from 2015 went on to play collegiate soccer (maybe 50% at the Division I level). I’m sure there were quite a few on the runner-up team from Illinois (Eclipse Elite) as well – unrelated, but I think their keeper had a pretty stellar career at Xavier if I recall correctly. But anyway, I mentioned earlier that this tournament series felt like a dream that I hadn’t woken up from yet.

When you’re a kid, especially a kid from Hawai’i, winning championships and competing at a national level feels like some far-off thing that only happens in movies and on TV.

I think that more than anything, these USYS events give players like us an opportunity to turn those dreams into reality, and that instills this real sense of belief in yourself and your abilities. The collegiate level is a whole different world from youth soccer. My first college practice? Whew! Talk about shell shock. But the belief that that world was within my reach – cemented by the fact that I’d already done what I once thought was impossible – carried me a long way.

Do you have any favorite memories from your time as a Bengal?

Every single day. Even the ones that sucked. Is this a cop-out answer? Yeah, probably, but I’m 100% serious. College soccer is such an amazing experience that I was so, so lucky to have for so long.

Lastly, you’re currently a student at the University of Hawaii. What are you studying and what are your future career aspirations?

I am currently working towards my Masters’ Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, and I one day hope to go to medical school. Soccer will always be a huge part of my life, and I’d love to be able to work with athletes and help them play as long as they can.

US Youth Soccer Announces Major Format Change to National Championships

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 23, 2025) – US Youth Soccer (USYS), the largest youth sport organization in the country, is proud to announce a landmark format change to its National Championships aimed at creating the best youth sport experience in America. Beginning with the current season, State Cup champions from all 54 USYS State Associations will advance directly to the National Championships, eliminating the traditional Regional Championship round. New York Life will remain the presenting sponsor for the event. 

This exciting evolution of the “crown jewel” of USYS competition is designed to:

  • Enhance the value and visibility of State Cups as the core qualifying events.
  • Streamline the championship pathway to reduce travel demands and ease the overall burden on families.
  • Celebrate tradition while embracing progress, to deliver a more focused, player-centered experience at the national level.

Why This Matters:

  • Direct Advancement: Each State Cup champion along with group winners from The National League Winter Events earns a place at Nationals, ensuring representation and increased relevance for all 54 member associations.
  • Reduced Barriers: Families and clubs benefit from less travel and time commitment with the elimination of the regional competition layer.
  • Elevated Experience: The National Championships will become a true festival of champions, celebrating the top team from every state on one stage.

US Youth Soccer CEO Tom Condone stated, “This bold new format reimagines the National Championships, uniting champions from every state and setting a new standard for youth soccer experiences across the country.” Director of Events and Operations Jason Elliott added, “This new format for our National Championships is a milestone moment for US Youth Soccer. The structure expands opportunities for players nationwide while strengthening the state-level competitions that lead into Nationals. By elevating every step of the pathway, we’re ensuring more meaningful experiences for players and families, and creating a stage where the best in youth soccer can shine.”

This format change was made following extensive feedback from member associations, clubs, coaches, and families, and reflects USYS’ strategic vision to enhance its competition structure while providing the most meaningful and memorable national stage for young athletes. More details about the updated National Championships including qualification timelines, hosting information, and event enhancements, will be released in the coming weeks.

To accompany the new format, a visionary new brand identity was developed to represent the competition. The three vertical elements are not only meant to evoke the shape of a trophy, acknowledging the US Youth Soccer National Championships as the premier event in youth sport, but also symbolize the coming together of every State Association, along with The National League, to one point of action — the ball. Utilizing the same design as the ball in the USYS logo, only part of it is visible as it is in motion — approaching the plane of the goal. It is not yet fully across the line, signifying the potential to score or be defended…a dramatic representation of the tension foundational to our love of soccer. The entire logo is unbounded by a containing shape like a shield or crest, highlighting that the event is bigger than something that can be contained by traditional borders and structures. The reimagined US Youth Soccer National Championships are a bold new vision of how our entire soccer landscape can come together, and this rebranding of our Championship logo communicates the passion, youthful energy, and forward-thinking of USYS and our State Associations.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) 
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers 2.68 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.

Updated Decision on Age Group Formation

Following extensive review and discussion, US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have collectively decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from August 1 to July 31, starting with the 2026-27 season/registration year. This change was made based on additional critical feedback, data, and expert input to better align players with their school-grade peers. Our associations feel that this age group player formation will be the most inclusive and help increase participation.  

The August 1 to July 31 age group player formation cycle will be used for all USYS league and Cup competitions for the 2026-27 season/registration year including: National Championships, Presidents Cup, and National League. 

US Youth Soccer CEO Tom Condone addressed the adjustment to the registration process: “At US Youth Soccer, our mission is to support the development of every player. After careful collaboration with our partners and listening to our membership, we believe this shift to an August 1 player formation cycle better aligns with school calendars, supports social and individual needs, and ultimately enhances the youth soccer experience for families across the country.”

As a reminder, under U.S. Soccer’s new policy, each Federation member can determine age group registration rules for the leagues and competitions they operate or sanction. To support this transition, U.S. Soccer has introduced a tool to help parents and guardians easily understand the age groupings based on their child’s birthdate.

Again, please note that this decision is effective beginning with each Organization Member’s 2026-27 season/registration year.

Sofia Millner Calvo and Matthew Rosa Receive Goaziou Scholarships

FRISCO, Texas (June 9, 2025) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) is excited to announce that Sofia Millner Calvo and Matthew Rosa have been selected as its 2025 William J. “Billy” Goaziou Scholarship recipients.

Millner Calvo graduated Littleton High School in Colorado first in her class and will attend Cornell University this fall. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Vice President of her senior class.

Her extensive list of extracurricular activities included Littleton’s Key Club, Mathletes, Technology Student Association, Mock Trial Club, and band. Millner Calvo also played varsity soccer for three years and was team captain during her senior year. Her club soccer endeavors spanned eight years with Colorado United playing in Colorado Soccer Association’s Advanced League.

Millner Calvo also spent numerous hours volunteering in her community, whether with Colorado Feeding Kids, Project C.U.R.E, Passion Project, Valverde Elementary School, or as a coach for Lollipops youth soccer.

Rosa, from Massachusetts, will attend the University of Maryland in the fall. He finished in the top 15% of his graduating class at Westwood High School and held a 3.79 weighted GPA.

While Rosa played club soccer for the Boston Bolts and was a member of his high school’s varsity team for two years, he credits his time spent refereeing most for his growth. Rosa has officiated high-level competitions and will continue pursuing the referee pathway.

In the time Rosa isn’t playing or officiating, he can be found volunteering as a soccer coach at his local indoor complex, which he’s done for the last four years, or acting as an after-school intern for his local elementary school.

Millner Calvo and Rosa join a long list of accomplished individuals to receive US Youth Soccer’s Billy Goaziou Scholarship, which has been awarded annually for more than a decade and honors the life of longtime youth soccer figure William J. Goaziou.

About US Youth Soccer: US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers 2.68 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.

US Youth Soccer, Taka Announce Enhancements to Multi-Year Partnership

FRISCO, Texas (June 3, 2025) —US Youth Soccer and Taka are excited to continue their multi-year partnership and announce enhanced access to Taka’s cutting-edge platform for all participants in The National League, beginning in the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

Since the partnership began in 2021, Taka has helped advance the youth soccer experience for thousands of players in The National League. Now, the enhanced relationship will extend the availability of Taka’s centralized video analysis platform and college recruitment hub to more than 70,000 players competing annually across all levels of The National League.

Through the enhanced partnership, every player in The National League automatically receives a free profile on Taka. Profiles will be made visible to over 1,500 verified college coaches across all levels who are active users on the Taka platform — elevating players’ visibility and exposure to coaches and scouts. 

 “Over the last four years, we have seen the immense value that Taka’s video analysis and highlight capabilities have brought to our players, and youth soccer as a whole, in the United States,” said Tom Condone, CEO of US Youth Soccer. “We’re proud to continue working with Taka to be at the forefront of innovation within youth soccer, and we’re excited for the opportunities coming to our players as Taka’s platform continues to expand.”

“We are excited to reinforce our long-term partnership with US Youth Soccer, by extending Taka access to the entire National League ecosystem,” said Mark Shields, CEO of Taka. “Our team is committed to elevating the National League player experience through the provision of established and soon to be released Taka features, which will facilitate player development, recognition and exposure.”

Teams and clubs within The National League have the option to opt-in for full-service professional analysis, and players will continue to have the option to purchase Taka event packages at select major US Youth Soccer events.

Current participants in The National League, along with confirmed and prospective participants for the 2025-26 season, will have access to webinars in the coming weeks that detail the advantages Taka can bring to the youth soccer experience.

About Taka: Taka is a comprehensive platform for players, coaches and college scouts that utilizes industry-leading technology and professional soccer analysts to elevate youth soccer. Taka provides athletes with personalized highlights and crucial exposure, while facilitating streamlined performance analysis and talent identification for coaches and scouts. With over 50,000 athlete profiles, 25,000 analyzed games, and 6 million individual highlights, Taka is shaping the future of player development in youth soccer. Visit: Taka.io

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.

Chris Bentley Named Director of Education

FRISCO, Texas (May 19, 2025) –  US Youth Soccer (USYS) today announced former Mississippi Soccer Association (MSA) Executive and Technical Director Chris Bentley as its Director of Education. USYS CEO Tom Condone made the announcement.

This pivotal position is aimed at advancing coach, player, parent, and club development nationwide. In this leadership role, Bentley will oversee the design and delivery of innovative educational initiatives and resources, supporting holistic growth across all levels of the game.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Bentley as our new Director of Education,” said Condone. “Having collaborated with Chris on several U.S. Soccer coaching licenses, I’ve witnessed firsthand his commitment to player and club development, as well as his work guiding coach educators. His leadership will be instrumental in driving the expansion of educational initiatives across the country.”

Bentley’s oversight of the Mississippi Soccer Association coincided with one of the largest periods of growth in the organization’s history. From 2022-2025, MSA saw a 28-percent increase in state membership, 72-percent increase in State Cup participation, and 198-percent increase in Olympic Development Program (ODP) participation.

His many day-to-day responsibilities included coaching education, player development, staff management, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and supporting local club programs. Bentley also led day-to-day operations, partnered with the board on statewide initiatives, and guided efforts to push organizational growth and long-term impact.

Prior to his time in Mississippi, Bentley was part of the leadership team that brought together one of the largest youth clubs in the country — the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club. There, he served as Regional Managerbefore being promoted to Regional Technical Director, where he led coach education, player development, daily operations, and technical programming, also overseeing budgeting, scheduling, staff supervision, and member communications.

Bentley coached at the NCAA Division I, II, and III levels, as well as across all ages and levels of the youth game.

Bentley holds a Master of Education from Delta State University, Bachelor of Arts from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and his certifications include the following, among others:

  • U.S. Soccer ‘A’ License
  • U.S. Soccer Educator Developer License
  • U.S. Soccer Coach Educator Licenses
  • U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching License
  • United Soccer Coaches Coach Developer Diploma
  • United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma

– USYS –

About US Youth Soccer

US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers 2.68 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.

Tom Condone Appointed US Youth Soccer CEO

FRISCO, Texas (April 28, 2025) – US Youth Soccer today announced Tom Condone as its new Chief Executive Officer. USYS Board Chair Tina Rincon made the announcement.

Condone was named interim CEO in February after serving as the organization’s Chief Soccer Officer for more than a year. His tenure at USYS began in 2017 as the General Manager – South Region before being tabbed the Director of Sport Development in 2020.

“The Board of Directors is excited to remove the interim label and have Tom serve as our CEO and continue to lead us through the changing youth soccer landscape,” said Rincon.  

“We have been very pleased with the leadership he is providing and the progress made on existing priorities since he took over as interim CEO earlier this year and believe this will be received well by our State Associations and external stakeholders. Tom has ample experience as a state executive, coaching educator and as a senior leader in the National Office, which allows him to navigate our unique structure.  I am looking forward to our continued partnership as we grow the game.”

Condone’s background within US Youth Soccer also includes a five-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Alabama Soccer Association from 2012-2017 and nearly seven years as the Technical Director for the Tennessee State Soccer Association from 2006-2012.

“I am honored to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer at US Youth Soccer,” said Condone. “Together, we will continue to inspire, develop, and support all of our constituents — players, coaches, parents, and administrators — as we build a stronger future for youth soccer across the nation.”

He earned master’s degrees from Florida State University and Spring Hill College, along with a bachelor’s from Monmouth University. Condone holds the following licenses and certifications:

  • U.S. Soccer Federation Coach Educator: D and Grassroots License
  • U.S. Soccer Federation Coach Educator: CTL-1 License
  • U.S. Soccer Federation: National A License
  • U.S. Soccer Federation: National Youth License
  • United Soccer Coaches: Director of Coaching Diploma
  • United Soccer Coaches: Master Coach & Soccer Leader Certificate

–USYS–

About US Youth Soccer

US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers 2.68 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.

US Youth Soccer Announces Jason Elliott as Director of Events

FRISCO, Texas (April 25, 2025) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) today announced former Oklahoma Soccer Association (OSA) Executive Director Jason Elliott as its Director of Events. USYS interim CEO Tom Condone made the announcement.

Elliott spent the last three years at OSA, where he oversaw operations for the Sooner State and its more than 31,000 members. His day-to-day responsibilities included building relationships with member clubs, fundraising efforts, budget management, and supervision of five staff members, among other duties.

“We’re excited to welcome Jason as our new Director of Events,” said USYS interim CEO Tom Condone. “He did an incredible job transforming his State Association as Executive Director and we know he’s going to bring that same energy and vision to the national stage. We’re looking forward to seeing how he helps elevate our events for players, families, and communities across the country.” 

Elliott will begin with US Youth Soccer May 5 and manage more than 30 major events USYS hosts annually.

Prior to his time with the Oklahoma Soccer Association, Elliott developed valuable experience in education and sales. As Dean of Students at Vista PEAK Preparatory, Assistant Principal of Ben Franklin Academy Middle School, and Sales Manager of UniFirst First Aid & Safety, Elliott established a strong background in mentorship, personnel management, relationship building, and organizational growth practices that positioned him for leadership roles.

Elliott also has a strong history of success throughout more than two decades of coaching soccer with Rangeview High school, Vista PEAK Preparatory, and the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club. Elliott’s coaching at Rangeview led to many of his players receiving scholarships to play at the collegiate level and he was the recipient of multiple accolades while the first-ever coach at Vista PEAK, including being named the 2016 Colorado 7 League Coach of the Year. Elliott currently holds a U.S. Soccer National ‘C’ License.

–USYS–

About US Youth Soccer

US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers 2.68 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.

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