2013 USL Media gUide - United Soccer Leagues

LeagUe DirecTorS
chriS economiDeS – Senior DirecTor, USL pro
anD miSL
A member of the USL Hall of Fame as a Builder, the former co-owner and
co-founder of both the Rochester Rhinos and Carolina RailHawks joined USL
in November of 2008. He was a regular member of the USL-1 Executive
Committee and helped guide the Rhinos to four league and Open Cup
championships. His success helped earn recognition on Street & Smith’s
Sports Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 list of sports executives in 1999
and the 2001 USL-1 Executive of the Year honor.
amanDa DUffY – Senior DirecTor, w-LeagUe
Duffy took over as senior director of the W-League in September of 2010
after three seasons managing the operations of USL Second division while
also overseeing the operations of USL First Division in 2008. The former
W-League player helped guide the Hampton Roads Piranhas to their only
league championship as well as 21-game undefeated and 23-game unbeaten
streaks. She also played with the Raleigh Wings and Central Florida Krush,
and amassed an overall 51-7-3 W-League. Duffy also spent time with the
Carolina Courage of WUSA before ending her playing career after one season
with Danmarks IF in Sweden. An East Carolina University graduate, Duffy
concluded her college career as the leader in career goals and single-season
goals as well as career points, and received honors from NSCAA, Soccerbuzz
and Conference USA before serving as a graduate assistant coach for the
program and earning her Masters Degree in Sports Management. In 2012
she became the first women’s soccer player inducted into the ECU Athletics
Hall of Fame.
JaSon arnoLD – Senior DirecTor,
USL YoUTh LeagUeS
A three-time NCAA College Cup final four participant with the University
of Maryland, Arnold joined USL in 2010 as USL PRO & MISL Operations
Manager and was named to his current post in March, 2012. Arnold works
with Abe Thompson, Natalie Akula and Bryan Bachelder to steer the course
for the development of elite clubs, players and coaches throughout North
America. Prior to joining USL Arnold, a Virginia native who won a National
Championship at the youth level with the Braddock Road Warhawks,
served as program director for i9 Sports Tampa Bay. He received his B.A. in
Criminology & Criminal Justice from Maryland in 2004.
aBe ThompSon – DirecTor, ngS
MLS veteran Abe Thompson joined the USL management team in October
of 2012 and serves as NGS Director, overseeing all matters related to
NGS administration, operations, and competition. He is also involved with
the continued growth and development of the Super-20 League under the
direction of USL Youth Leagues Senior Director Jason Arnold. Thompson
joined USL following an eight-year professional career including time with
FC Dallas, Kansas City and Houston in MLS. As a youth player, Thompson
played with the U.S. U17 National Team and captured the 1999 USYS U17
national championship with the Braddock Road Warhawks. Collegiately,
Thompson was a NSCAA third team All-America selection, an All-ACC first
team selection, and a two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist at the University
of Maryland.
USLsoccer.com
2013 USL Media gUide - 12