INCLUSIVENESS

We are keeping player talent off the field. We are currently excluding millions of US-based players and we are not maximizing our player development efforts.

Our US Development Academy has increased, not lessened, the cost to play soccer in the US. We need a system in place which helps US Soccer to identify and nurture talent at the local level and vastly expand the pool of players. (Average cost for players has increased to $5,500 annually)

Solution: The US Development Academy must be placed under the Olympic Development Program. This raises the competitive level. It keeps the competition more localized while creating a gateway for US Soccer to enter into untapped multicultural communities. It broadens the player base. It eliminates direct competition with US Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer for player registrations. It also localizes soccer and decreases travel costs, which keeps so many qualified, talented players out of our system.

PARITY

Our women’s team has repeatedly delivered wins for the US, yet women still don’t hold parity in all elements of the sport.

Women’s soccer struggles for TV deals, struggles for sponsorships and our players have demanded equal pay, to no avail.

Solution: Salaries should be equal. Period. I would not wait until the CBA is renegotiated (in 2021) to address this issue. If elected, I would immediately create a 2027 Bid Committee for Women’s World Cup. I would focus on aligning the NWSL the WPSL and UWS and ensuring they are guaranteed financial support from US Soccer. I’d propose launching a Futsal league for women and to lobby FIFA to start an Official FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup. I am committed to working as hard as I can to secure broader TV coverage and sponsorships along with an equitable revenue-sharing plan – these elements bring financial stability and generates funding for higher salaries. There’s great opportunity for our women players and we should do all that we can to support their global leadership.

TRANSPARENCY

USSF needs to operate with more transparency.

USSF achieved success due to US participation in 14 FIFA World Cups (7/Women; 7/Men) and US hosting THREE FIFA World Cups, all of which generated consistent revenues. While our financial position seems strong, we can do a better job operating the business in a clear and transparent manner.

Solution: We must shine a bright light on business operations and transactions. That means open, competitive bidding processes, transparency around contracts and providing players and associations with a clear accounting on where the dollars go.

As President, I will guide the organization's decisions and policies on the disclosure of information to all member organizations. We will conduct ourselves on a value system that will make all of America proud. It is a top priority to align US Soccer with the member organizations so we can work hard to do our best to become the best in the World.