CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

UNITED SOCCER COACHES

In 1941, a group of soccer coaches created the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Now United Soccer Coaches, it has become the largest such organization in the world — promoting coaching education for its members, primarily American soccer coaches and adults supporting the game’s ecosystem. While US Soccer created the first coaching curriculum, NSCAA was an investor and partner in the effort. It later developed its own coaching education program, and, in doing so, expanded the nature of coaching education beyond training organization and in-game tactical expertise. Throughout the decades, United Soccer Coaches has become one of the most important groups in the game of soccer globally. 

(Photo credit: United Soccer Coaches)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

UNITED SOCCER COACHES

In addition to is consistent programming throughout the year to help further coaching development, the United Soccer Coaches Convention draws over 12,000 attendees and over 300 companies to its exhibitor hall. The agenda includes demonstrations, research-based talk tracks and more. The exhibit hall gives attendees exposure to the latest and greatest in soccer products and technology. It’s truly the premier event for the sport in America. 

United Soccer Coaches also publishes weekly high school and college rankings. The organization also promotes a series of annual awards — including naming All-American teams at various levels and Coach of the Year awards. 

The group boasts a standing membership of over 30,000 and continues to evolve with the game in America, maintaining a critical place in the sport’s ecosystem. 

(Photo credit: Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association via X | @OSSCAsoccer)

Our GUEST
Now the Vice President of Education and Development at US Club Soccer, Dr. Missy Price has evolved from the coaching ranks to champion coaching education like few people in the game. A Past President for United Soccer Coaches,  Price has served the coaching community in a variety of ways.

She has also held multiple head coaching positions at the college level, including her most recent stint as the Women’s Soccer Coach at Wellesley College. Prior to that position, she was the Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her assistant coaching jobs include the University of Miami and the University of Virginia where she worked with April Heinrichs and Jill Ellis.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

To learn more about United Soccer Coaches and its importance to the growth of the game in America, we recommend the following resources.

Books

Articles

    Our PERSPECTIVE

    When soccer retreated into ethnic communities after the Soccer War of 1929, there was no focus on developing infrastructure to advance the game in America. Coaching was often left to physical education teachers who trained players by having them run. It’s no surprise then, that even though there was an undercurrent of global influence on the early evolution of the American game, that it didn’t translate to player development. 

    Coaching education, as established by United Soccer Coaches (then NSCAA) and US Soccer, truly beginning in the 1970s, has played a vital role in moving the game forward in this country. United Soccer Coaches, specifically, has expanded how coaching education manifests itself in a truly varied program that ensure coaches consider culture and personal development as part of their job and journey. 

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