2013 USL Media gUide - United Soccer Leagues

aBoUT The U.S. Soccer feDeraTion
As the governing body of soccer in all its forms
in the United States, U.S. Soccer has played an
integral part in charting the course for the sport in
the USA for 100 years. In that time, the Federation’s
mission statement has been clear and simple: to
make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in
the United States and to continue the development
of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.
U.S. Soccer is celebrating its Centennial in 2013,
and over the course of a century the sport’s
exponential growth has been nothing short of
remarkable.
From a viewership standpoint, nearly 20 million
Americans watched the Round of 16 match at
the 2010 FIFA World Cup on television. Soccerspecific
stadiums have opened their doors to
resounding success. The National Training Center
in Carson, Calif., in its 10th year of existence, has
been a valuable facility for all levels, including the
U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which kicked
off at the state-of-the-art complex with much
fanfare in 2007.
In 1989, the U.S. Men’s National Team had not
played in a World Cup in 40 years and the U.S.
Women’s program was in its early stages. U.S.
Soccer was playing games in small stadiums
that did not reach capacity, few matches were
televised, soccer-specific stadiums were yet to be
created and there were no high-level professional
outdoor leagues.
Since that time, the state of U.S. Soccer has
evolved significantly. Entering 2013, the U.S. MNT
played in six consecutive FIFA World Cups and
advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2002 event.
U.S. Soccer is a world leader in women’s soccer
at every level, and the U.S. WNT has won two
FIFA Women’s World Cups and four Olympic Gold
Medals – an accomplishment that no other country
on the men’s and women’s side has reached in
Olympic competition. The United States has also
hosted three World Cups with the support of its
members and strong organizational abilities.
U.S. Soccer feDeraTion – hiSTorY
Throughout the 100-year history of U.S. Soccer, the organization
has been known by three different names:
U.S. Foot Ball Association – 1913-1944
U.S. Soccer Football Association – 1945-1973
U.S. Soccer Federation – 1974-Current
Landon Donovan scores game winning goal against Algeria in 2010 FIFA World Cup
USLsoccer.com
Professionally, Major League
Soccer continues to grow in
popularity and prestige with
19 teams throughout North
america, as well as increasing attendance and
viewership. Also of significant importance, MLS
features 14 clubs competing in 13 soccer-specific
stadiums. On the women’s side, the U.S. Soccer
Federation is administering the launch of the
National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. U.S.
Soccer is subsidizing the salaries of up to 24
U.S. WNT players while the Canadian Soccer
Association and Federation of Mexican Football
are doing the same for up to 16 players.
From a coaching standpoint in the United States,
more classes are continually being offered around
the country, and the number of licensed, welleducated
trainers and managers is larger than
ever. The education level among coaches has
been tailored to match the expanding pool of
talent in the U.S.
U.S. Soccer continues to set positive trends for
referees in CONCACAF, with reinvigorated focus
on education and training, including the realm
of professional referees. In 2012, U.S. Soccer
and MLS created the Professional Referee
Organization (PRO) to manage the referee
program in professional soccer leagues in the
U.S. and Canada. The creation of PRO has been
designed to increase the quality of officiating in
U.S. and Canadian professional leagues, develop
more professional quality officials at a younger
age and develop officials who will represent the
United States and Canada in FIFA competitions.
Participation in soccer continues at high levels
among both youth and adults, with more than 4.3
million registered players among the 24 million
participants in the sport, according to the FIFA Big
Count.
For more information on all U.S. Soccer programs,
visit the official organization website at ussoccer.
com.
2013 USL Media gUide - 16