US Youth Soccer

Giving feedback—and receiving feedback—can be difficult. But at the same time, glossing over areas of improvement can hold athletes back from achieving their full potential. A strong team ensures that every member is receiving necessary feedback—but also feels appreciated and valued. It’s easy to point out what an athlete did wrong in a critical moment during a game. Is there something you could do instead? 

TrueSport Expert and President of Now What Facilitation, Nadia Kyba, MSW, shares her approach to giving appreciative feedback that will help your athlete actually make improvements for the next game. 

1. Feedback should be a conversation

 “Feedback shouldn’t be about criticism, or an excuse to tell others how they should change,” says Kyba. “Appreciative feedback is a tool that should be used to help see developmental potential. It’s a collaborative approach, where the person who’s giving the feedback is open to a conversation.” As a coach, especially if you know you have a tendency to get emotional during competition, it can be easy to tip into criticism when talking to athletes about how a competition went. But if you want to see athletes make real progress, feedback should be a conversation, not a one-sided dialogue where you list the mistakes an athlete made.

2. Focus on the future

Why do we offer feedback? It should be because we want to help an athlete improve their performance. So, rather than start a conversation with an athlete about what they did wrong in a recent game or at practice, focus on the player’s future performance and solutions for improvement.

Appreciative feedback is an insight that’s offered with a positive and future focus,” says Kyba. “The emphasis is on how to be more effective and productive in the future, rather than placing blame for the past. Trying talking about strengths or what you appreciated, then focus on opportunities for improvement.” 

If, for instance, a cross-country racer fades at the end of a race, focusing on that fade may make the athlete feel upset or defensive. Instead, think about what the athlete should do next time before you begin the conversation: Should they focus on a sprint out of the final corner? Set a goal of holding a certain pace? Framing the conversation around what went well—the first chunk of the race—followed by what to focus on next time is more effective than simply critiquing their finish, especially when they are already aware of their mistake.

3. Use the four-step approach

There are four parts to providing appreciative feedback, says Kyba. Here, we’re listing out the steps and providing an example based on a specific in-game issue, but this can also be applied to behavioral issues like a player always being late for practice. 

1: Signal that you’re giving feedback and make sure the athlete is receptive. Often, we forget this simple step, but it helps bring an athlete into the conversation. Example: “Can we spend a minute talking about some of the things I noticed in the game?”

2:  Cut out anything that’s not objective. Be descriptive about the issue, and in some cases, providing video footage to make your point may even be helpful. Example: Instead of saying, “You were shooting really poorly,” give specific, objective data that can be applied to finding a solution, like, “I noticed that you were a little off balance when you were shooting.”

3: Discuss the impact. Example: “When you were off balance, it allowed the defensive players to block you and your shots were going to the left instead of straight.”

4: End with a question. Example: “What’s your take on the situation?” or “Is there something we can practice to help that balance for next time?”

4. Listen to your athlete at all points in the conversation

Sometimes an athlete is simply not in a place where they can handle feedback. Perhaps they just took a hard test or had to give a major presentation and are still upset from that situation. Maybe it’s right after the game and emotions are running high. This is why step one—signaling you’re about to give feedback—is so important. Honor the athlete’s option to not be open to that feedback in the moment. “Asking an athlete if they’re open to feedback gives them that chance to be ready and not as defensive,” says Kyba. “It also gives them an out. If they’re not in a headspace to be able to have that conversation, respect that. You’ll be able to have a better, more productive discussion when they are ready.”

5. Let your athlete talk back

The reason we end these conversations with a question is so that the athlete has the chance to reflect and even to explain the behavior. Sometimes, there is a good explanation that you didn’t know about. In the case of an athlete always being late, it could be that he’s in charge of his little sister and has to call and check in with the babysitter before he can get ready for practice. It also allows your athlete to take ownership of the feedback, says Kyba. Asking a question offers the athlete a chance to come up with their own improvement plan, rather than waiting for you to tell them what to do next. 

6. Start and finish with the positive

Commonly referred to as sandwiching, one of the best ways to offer feedback is to include positives around the area that can be improved. Any feedback can be hard to handle, especially for young people who are struggling to find themselves and develop self-confidence. That’s why it’s as important to appreciate and praise as it is to give honest feedback for improvement. Kyba also encourages coaches to make the praise real and genuine: Don’t tell an athlete what you think they want to hear, find something real and positive to share. This also helps you better appreciate the athlete—it’s easy to focus on the negative in your own head as well!

7. Make feedback regular and consistent

If you want your athletes to listen to your feedback, it needs to be part of your team culture. “Have feedback for the team and for individuals constantly,” says Kyba. “At the end of a practice, ask how it went, ask the players for their feedback, and provide feedback back to them.” The goal is to have a team where players are actively seeking feedback, not shying away from it. But for that to happen, they need to see feedback as a positive thing, as a tool that will help them improve in the future. Kyba also notes that it’s important to give all players feedback, not just the fastest or slowest players on the team. It’s tempting to focus your feedback on the top players, or conversely, on the players who need the most work. But that approach misses the players who are doing ‘fine’ but might make huge leaps if they’re given some constructive feedback. 

8. Athletes want feedback

You may assume that no young athlete wants to hear feedback. And you’re not entirely wrong: Most people don’t love hearing feedback. But they do appreciate it when it’s done correctly. An athlete who wants to play collegiate sports, win a championship, or just see how good they can be will need that feedback in order to make improvements. “A star athlete wants to get better,” says Kyba. “And what they want and need to hear is specific feedback: What’s working, what can be improved, what we should focus on next.” It’s uncomfortable at first, but the more consistent you are with providing feedback, the more the athletes will come to expect and appreciate it for what it is, rather than hearing it as something critical and negative.

Takeaway

Make feedback a regular, consistent part of conversations with the team and individual athletes. Focus on keeping feedback objective, highlight positives as well as opportunities, ask the athletes for their opinions, and stay solution-oriented to help athletes improve in the future.  

About TrueSport

TrueSport^®, a movement powered by the experience and values of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, champions the positive values and life lessons learned through youth sport. TrueSport inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sport through active engagement and thoughtful curriculum based on cornerstone lessons of sportsmanship, character-building, and clean and healthy performance, while also creating leaders across communities through sport. 

For more expert-driven articles and materials, visit TrueSport’s comprehensive collection of resources. 

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The following article was written by FC Nordsjælland defender and former Penn State star Jessie Davis earlier this year

We’re witnessing historic numbers in attendance at women’s soccer games across the world — and seeing more leagues and national teams become full-time professional.

I’ve been privileged enough to play in four countries outside of the United States and each club I’ve been part of has had lofty goals for their women’s programs, alongside long-term plans to reach them. My exposure to four different governing soccer bodies, leagues, and styles of play has presented the same inevitable message over and over again: the women’s game is growing overseas, so what can we do in the United States to match it? Here are three things I’d love to see shift in the future.

For the player: Get out

The easiest thing to change in a system is an individual.

I spent my youth career playing on one of the best teams in the country and went on to the next level at a top program in Penn State University. With all that experience, you may be surprised to hear that when, at 30 years old and first playing in Sweden, my coach pulled me aside and requested that he teach me how to kick a ball properly… poor Frederik.

My college years provided me with an incredible experience with coaches I loved and an opportunity to play with and against the best young players in the country. I was at a great fitness level, but in my first weeks in Sweden all of my technical and tactical weaknesses were exposed immediately. Three years of playing in Scandinavia later and I tapped into skills I never mastered at home. I’d argue to say I am peaking a few months short of 35! My experience overseas has been invaluable and given me a lot of longevity in my game.

With that said, I’d urge almost any NWSL hopeful to play professionally abroad for at least a year. Here’s some math for you. The league currently has 12 teams with a maximum of 26 players per roster, including supplemental players. That brings us to 312 available spots, putting your chances of making a team slim. I can’t even fathom the number of outstanding soccer players in the states who quit after college because of accessibility to a professional league close to home.

For most players, there is a large jump from elite college soccer to professional, and even the best young players may take years before they can break into the league. Instead of vying for minutes that might never come in the NWSL, take a year or two to learn a new style of play overseas, all while getting valuable playing experience. Home will always be there, and your time abroad will make more valuable to any club.

This gap between college soccer and the NWSL gives the individual player time and experience to further develop, and the league will improve with players who have learned a new and often elevated style of play.

For the NCAA: Change the college soccer calendar

When a female soccer player enters college at 17-18 years old, she commits four years of her life during what should be a pivotal time in her soccer development.

NCAA Division I teams play roughly 20 games between mid-August and late October, before potentially competing in conference and NCAA tournaments. That schedule equates to an exhausting two games per week with a day or two in between to travel to your next destination, recover, and do it all again. Mix in hard physical sessions whenever possible — and fulltime studying — and you’ve got a lot of exhausted student-athletes.

Following the end of the fall season, anywhere from early November to December, you’re looking at months of very little team training due to NCAA restrictions. Those valuable team sessions are replaced with an exorbitant amount of running, lifting, and hopefully individual or small group training that can be a loophole around limitations set by the NCAA. Teams can play in a maximum of five springtime games that don’t count toward their final record. That calendar means eight months of “off-season” and only four months of incredibly exhausting league play, leading to overuse injuries and inevitably even less time spent on the field.

I would love to see soccer turn into a fall and spring sport, with winter months spent training and summer as a break for players to be home and spend time with family and friends. Instead of cramming those 20 games into a short fall season, split the competitions between the spring and fall. This would give teams more opportunity to train as a group and more space for an individual to develop. It also greatly benefits those who aren’t starting/playing many minutes regularly. It’s more time on the ball for everyone, and more chances for a coach to really teach players tactics and a style of play.

At a time that almost certainly makes or breaks someone’s career, I’d love to see the NCAA shift to player-focused competitions. I can tell you this much: players the same age in Spain, Sweden, England, and the Netherlands are playing practically year-round. A longer college season would prepare athletes for a professional career, or at the very least give players the proper rest and recovery they need to be their best. At the end of the day, more time spent training and playing games throughout the year will lead to better players. 

For the NWSL: create an Academy structure based on development

As mentioned, access to professional women’s soccer in the United States is currently limited with 12 teams. England, a country with 1/6 of our population, has as many teams as us. Sweden, smaller yet, accommodates 14 teams in their top league. Both England and Sweden observe promotion and relegation as well, which is expensive for sure, but keeps competition fresh in every league in the country and also allows clubs that really invest in their programs to see a payoff in the long run.

So, how can we expand this access? Let’s say we aren’t in a place for the NWSL to make any changes with the exception of adding a promotion/relegation component. I’d love to see a professional league officially nestled below the NWSL ladder that was regional.

The country could be split up into let’s three or four regions, each with roughly eight-12 teams competing in local games. Most teams would be able to travel by bus for many competitions, keeping budgets smaller. The top-two teams per region would advance to a playoff stage where you could determine how many teams would be elevated into the NWSL. Of course, of course, there would be plenty of logistics to iron out, but this would provide four-times as many women with a professional team in the country. Yes, it is true that the second division players would likely not make as much money, but with promotion to play for, you’d likely see a lot of young players take the pay cut for a good chance to earn a spot in the NWSL. Yes, it is true that other semi-professional leagues exist in the states, but there isn’t one official ladder to the top, and that is what I’m looking for.

As mentioned earlier, sometimes college players aren’t ready to play NWSL as soon as they graduate and playing overseas isn’t for everyone. This two-league system with promotion and relegation could be just the beginning of an entire shift in the structure of women’s soccer in the country.

Eventually, you’d likely see more youth academies tied to a senior team (no matter the league), and you could have a setup such as U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, followed by the senior team. You might have a player spend her whole career with your club, go away to college, and return to your first team upon graduation.

It provides a pathway for players through an academy into college and beyond. Again, logistically speaking… this would take years and potentially decades to implement, but in the long term, this would be more player focused. This model would closely mimic a lot of the best leagues in Europe.

To earn a fifth star

The United States has produced incredible soccer players for decades, and I believe a shift in our structures could lead to even more competitive teams and better players across the board. To me, putting the individual player at the center of focus will put us in a great position in the world for years to come, and keep more women in the game. That’s my goal for our future and I hope to be a part of the change.

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 14, 2022) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) honored five state associations for social media prowess and membership growth at this past weekend’s Leadership Development Summit in Frisco, Texas. USYS CEO Skip Gilbert and Board Chair Dr. Pete Zopfi announced the winners.

New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS) claimed the first-ever Social Media Campaign of the Year honors for its “Respect” campaign — tops among states’ submissions in judging the campaigns by Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas marketing department.

New Jersey is recognized for executing “the most effective social media campaign, featuring direct engagement that positively impacted the brand.” The “Respect” theme focused on sportsmanship and minimizing referee abuse.

The following four USYS State Associations received High Performance Growth of the Year accolades for showing the highest percentage gain in player registration from the immediate prior fiscal year:

• Cal North (Northern California) – 1,887 percent growth in 2021-22 from 2020-21 
• Washington – 492 percent growth in 2021-22 from 2020-21 
• Colorado – 78 percent growth in 2021-22 from 2020-21 
• Illinois – 30 percent growth in 2021-22 from 2020-21 

“While it is always important to acknowledge ‘best in class’ among the USYS family, it is essential to recognize our State Association’s resiliency and creativity in the wake of the pandemic,” said Gilbert. “Each of our 54 States prioritized the 2.4 million players in our system and we salute the executives in Cal North, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, and Washington for leading the way.” 

The Leadership Development Summit included representation from states’ staff and featured an array of breakout sessions and guest speakers from the business world.

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Link to Photos

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 nearly 2.5 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, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

-USYS-

FRISCO, Texas (September 7, 2022) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) is excited to announce a partnership with etrainu as its national online learning partner to help grow USYS University.

The USYS program is the first-ever gathering of educational resources designed to educate members on a multitude of subjects so that they can perform better on and off the field of play. etrainu are global leaders in online learning and work with some of the largest sports organizations in the world, including the PGA Tour, National Lacrosse League, and Surf Life Saving Australia.

US Youth Soccer will work with etrainu to develop a platform that builds exceptional community-based education solutions to the youth soccer ecosystem, playing an integral role in USYS’ vision of bringing communities together through the power of soccer, making lifelong fans of the sport.

“We are thrilled to offer the USYS Family an endless ability to continue learning with the help of etrainu,” said US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert. “We are on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every constituent fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. This platform checks every box, and we cannot wait to roll-out learning solutions that benefit our membership at every level. etrainu is a difference maker for youth soccer.”

With the wide collection of players, coaches, club officials, referees, and parents, the ability to provide an appropriate curriculum that allows the user to learn on the go is more important than ever before. USYS University will be able to better focus on improving the educational experience and collective passion for the game with etrainu’s help. Learning will now be easier for all users with instant access, direct integrations into membership platforms, and a library full of ever-growing content.

“We are extremely excited to partner with US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the United States,” said etrainu CEO Paul Hoon. “We look forward to delivering a world-class online learning solution that will help players, parents, coaches, referees, and club officials thrive in their roles. We believe this will help USYS on their mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership to their members on and off the field of play.”

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Media Photo Assets

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 nearly 2.5 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 nearly 1 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, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

About etrainu

etrainu are global leaders in community education solutions. Through a sophisticated learning management system and engaging online courses, etrainu is building exceptional communities through education. With a number of industry leading integrations, etrainu has created an end-to-end solution for sports organizations. etrainu’s education solutions are made easy through creativity, innovation and technology and their commitment to their sports partners is reflected in the long-term relationships they have with them. etrainu have partnered with some of the largest sports organizations in the world, including US Youth Soccer, American Youth Soccer Organization, PGA Tour, National Lacrosse League, Surf Life Saving Australia, Gymnastics Australia, AusCycling and other national governing bodies. 

-USYS-

First-ever US Youth Soccer Futsal National Championships Comes to Virginia Beach, Va. in 2023

FRISCO, Texas (August 29, 2022) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) is pleased to announce that its 2023 Futsal National Championships, the first-ever of its kind and hosted in collaboration with United Futsal, will be held February 24-26, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

US Youth Soccer is eager to illustrate its commitment to one of its core values – inclusivity – and will do so by enabling State Associations to provide their member clubs the opportunity to participate in this new, structured tournament.

“We are pleased to provide USYS with a singular national event so that our members will have a clear pathway to success,” said US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert. “USYS 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.”

“United Futsal gives US Youth Soccer an opportunity to establish futsal as a cornerstone of our programming. Futsal develops skills that innumerable players have touted as the key to their success on the field. US Youth Soccer recognizes this value, and by offering this event, will reward those players and clubs with a pathway to achievement.”

United Futsal’s expertise and reputation earned through years of organizing some of the country’s premier futsal programs and events will provide invaluable support to augment the experience and resources that US Youth Soccer will offer.

“We are thrilled to be back working with USYS to deliver outstanding value for its members,” said United Futsal President Rob Andrews. “Our collective years of experience, combined with the talent-rich USYS State Association futsal clubs and programming, will allow us to create a true competition pathway for all USYS members.”

“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2023 US Youth Soccer Futsal National Championships in Virginia Beach at the Virginia Beach Sports Center,” said Virginia Beach Sports Marketing Director Dani Timm. “We look forward to rolling out the red carpet for the athletes, coaches, and spectators during the championships. We hope that everyone visiting during the championship week gets an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful beaches, world-renowned boardwalk, incredible dining, and second-to-none hospitality.”

For more information on US Youth Soccer’s Futsal National Championships, click here.

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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 nearly 2.5 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 nearly 1 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, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

ABOUT UNITED FUTSAL

UNITED FUTSAL is the industry leader in providing the highest-level tournaments and events for youth futsal players in the world. Since 2010, over 100,000 athletes, coaches, fans, and referees representing 25 countries have participated in its World Futsal Cup, World Futsal Championships and FUTURES™ programs and precursory events. We Are Futsal™.

For more information, visit unitedfutsal.com.

-USYS-

Billy Hency with Sporting St. Louis during National League’s 2016-17 season.

FRISCO, Texas (August 26, 2022) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) is featured on the 2022 Men’s MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List with the season now underway.

The Hermann Trophy, presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, is the nation’s highest individual honor recognizing the collegiate National Player of the Year. It is determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches. Announced Thursday (August 25), seven of the 38 members on the watch list have direct ties to US Youth Soccer, with Vermont’s Alex Nagy and Loyola Chicago’s Billy Hency earning a second consecutive nod.

Penn State’s Peter Mangione will hope to see 2022 end with a championship as 2015 did, when he was crowned a US Youth Soccer U13 National Champion with Baltimore Celtic (MD).

2022 Men’s MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by Position

Keepers:

• Sam Fowler, University of Washington (Issaquah, Wash.)
• Jassem Koleilat, University of New Hampshire (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
• Wessel Speel, Hofstra University (Utrecht, The Netherlands)

Defenders:

• Noah Egan, University of Vermont (Irvine, Calif.)
• Mariano Fazio, University of Tulsa (Sevilla, Spain)
• Pietro Grassi, UCLA (Milan, Italy)
• Luis Grassow, University of Kentucky (Munich, Germany​)
• Noah Gulden, Lipscomb University (Drammen, Norway)
• Michael Hong*^, Loyola University Chicago (Vernon Hills, Ill.)
• Moses Mensah, Campbell University (Cape Coast, Ghana​)
• Daniel Munie, Indiana University (Maryland Heights, Mo.)
• Ramzi Qawasmy, Providence College (Lansdale, Pa.)
• Alberto Suarez, Saint Louis University (Zaragosa, Spain)
• Bjarne Thiesen, West Virginia University (Kiel, Germany)
• Til Zinnhardt, University of North Carolina (Konigstein, Germany)

Midfielders:

• Yannick Bright, University of New Hampshire (Milan, Italy)
• Noel Caliskan, Loyola Marymount University (Cologne, Germany)
• Karim Diao, University of Central Arkansas (Bordeaux, France​)
• Rory O’Driscoll, University of New Hampshire (Minneapolis, Minn.)
• Luis Garcia, Providence College (Gran Canaria, Spain)
• Hendrik Hebbeker, Hofstra University (Cologne, Germany)
• Alex Nagy^, University of Vermont (Bow, N.H.)
• Valentin Noel, University of Pittsburgh (Niort, France)
• Peter Stroud^, Duke University (Chester, N.J.)
• Kian Yari, Missouri State University (Manchester, England)

Forwards:

• Steven Afrifa, Florida International University (Toronto, Ontario)
• Patrick Agyemang^, University of Rhode Island (East Hartford, Conn.)
• Aadne Bruseth, Missouri State University (Batnfjordsora, Norway)
• Wilmer Cabrera, Jr., Butler University (Bogota, Colombia)
• Ryan Carmichael, Hofstra University (Armagh, Northern Ireland)
• Billy Hency*~, Loyola University Chicago (Fenton, Miss.)
• Emil Jaaskelainen, Long Island University (Bolton, England)
• Levonte Johnson, Syracuse University (Brampton, Ontario)
• John Klein^, Saint Louis University (Columbia, Miss.​)
• Peter Mangione^~, Penn State University (Hunt Valley, Md.)
• Alex Meinhard, University of Tulsa (Tartu, Estonia)
• Tola Showunmi, University of New Hampshire (Enfield, England)
• Oladayo Thomas, Santa Clara University (Lagos, Nigeria)​

For more information on US Youth Soccer’s alumni, visit USYouthSoccer.org/USYS-Alumni/.

* – US Youth Soccer ODP

^ – US Youth Soccer NCS

~ – US Youth Soccer National League

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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 nearly 2.5 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 nearly 1 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, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

-USYS-​

Jamie Shepherd (right) celebrates with Utah Celtic teammates during run to 2019 US Youth Soccer National Championship

FRISCO, Texas (August 22, 2022) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) is well represented on the 2022 Women’s MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List with the season just underway.

The Hermann Trophy, which is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, is the nation’s highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year. It is determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.

Announced last Thursday, August 18^th, 35 of the 60 members on the watch list have direct ties to US Youth Soccer, with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) prominently featured. Included are 12 2021 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans: Hannah Bebar (Harvard), Maycee Bell (UNC), Croix Bethune (USC), Megan Bornkamp (Clemson), Messiah Bright (TCU), Michelle Cooper (Duke), Lia Godfrey (Virginia), Penelope Hocking (Penn State), Lauren Kozal (Michigan State), Megan Nemec (Loyola Chicago), Kaitlyn Parks (Wake Forest), and Jaida Thomas (Tennessee).

Lexi Missimo (Solar, North Texas – 2016), Anna Podojil (CUP, Ohio – 2017), and Jamie Shepherd (Utah Celtic, Utah – 2019) will all be hoping to win another National Championship after doing so with US Youth Soccer. Podojil, who now plays for Arkansas, and Shepherd, BYU, also received the Golden Ball Award at Nationals on their way to youth soccer victory.

2022 Women’s MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by Position

Keepers:

• Lauren Brzykcy*, UCLA
• Nadia Cooper*, Washington State University
• Leah Freeman, University of Oregon
• Lauren Kellett^, Texas Christian University
• Bella Kilgore, Rice University
• Lauren Kozal^~, Michigan State University
• Ashley Orkus, University of Mississippi
• Kaitlyn Parks^, Wake Forest University

Defenders:

• Maycee Bell*, University of North Carolina
• Megan Bornkamp*^, Clemson University
• Jordan Brewster, West Virginia University
• Emma Clarke, University of Houston
• Kayla Duran, Brown University
• Eva Gaetino*, University of Notre Dame
• Katia Hanger~, Lipscomb University
• Jyllissa Harris, University of South Carolina
• Tianna Harris, Kent State University
• Mykiaa Minniss^, Washington State University
• Dunja Mostarac, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
• Lilly Reale*^~, UCLA
• Reyna Reyes*, University of Alabama
• Jade Rose, Harvard University
• Laveni Vaka`, Brigham Young University
• Trinity Watson, Pepperdine University

Midfielders:

• Hannah Bebar*^, Harvard University
• Croix Bethune*, University of Southern California
• Gracie Brian, Texas Christian University
• Shelby Craft, Lipscomb University
• Maya Doms, Stanford University
• Jadyn Edwards*~, University of New Mexico
• Carlee Giammona^, Pepperdine University
• Lia Godfrey^, University of Virginia
• Anna Haddock*^~, Auburn University
• Taylor Huff*^, University of Tennessee
• Camille Lafaix*, Cal Poly
• Julia Leas*, Georgetown University
• Molly McLaughlin`, Xavier University
• Roma McLaughlin, Central Connecticut State University
• Lexi Missimo^, University of Texas
• Delaney Schultz*, Rice University
• Courtney Sebazco, Southern Methodist University
• Jamie Shepherd*^~, Brigham Young University

Forwards:

• Tonya Boychuk, University of Memphis
• Messiah Bright^~, Texas Christian University
• Michelle Cooper*, Duke University
• Nicole Douglas, Arizona State University
• Mackenzie George, University of Tennessee
• Penelope Hocking^, Penn State University
• Jameese Joseph, North Carolina State University
• Louise Lillback, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Megan Nemec*, Loyola University Chicago
• Beata Olsson, Florida State University
• Anna Podojil*^~, University of Arkansas
• Brittany Raphino, Brown University
• Ally Schlegel, Penn State University
• Katie Soderstrom*, Butler University
• Jaida Thomas^~, University of Tennessee
• Riley Tiernan, Rutgers University
• Tori Waldeck, Pepperdine University
• Summer Yates*~, University of Washington

For more information on US Youth Soccer’s alumni, visit USYouthSoccer.org/USYS-Alumni/.

* – US Youth Soccer ODP

^ – US Youth Soccer NCS

~ – US Youth Soccer National League

` – US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup

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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 nearly 2.5 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 nearly 1 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, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

-USYS-