Membership Updates
Lindsay’s Law: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness
“For those who are unaware, the state of Ohio has passed a new law aimed at increasing awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) among youth athletes.
If your organization plays in Ohio, and for any organization interested in learning more about Sudden Cardiac Arrest, we encourage you to visit the state’s informational web-site at: https://www.odh.ohio.gov/en/landing/Lindsays-Law”.
2018 AGM-Registration Opens August 15
As preciously communicated via email, registration for the 2018 AGM opens tomorrow, Tuesday, August 15, at Noon CT.
This year, we are using a new process to confirm delegates and alternates are registered for members they are permitted to represent. Executive Directors and/or Presidents will be emailed an access key today to distribute to their delegates and alternates to use during registration, along with detailed instructions.
Upon hitting the REGISTER button, you will see the link that says, “Have an access key?” and once you click on it, a box will appear to the access key and upon doing so, the option to register as a delegate or alternate will appear on the screen. During Friday’s webinar, we will do a short demo on registration using your access key.
As a reminder, the number of delegates and alternates you are assigned is based on the number you had at the 2017 AGM. We won’t know the final delegate numbers for the 2018 AGM until we are on-site in Orlando.
With the upcoming election for U.S. Soccer President at the 2018 AGM, USSF will provide the email address with which you register for the AGM to declared candidates for Federation office to permit them to communicate with you in connection with their election effort. For more information, please see the privacy policy on the AGM web-site.
If you have any questions about the AGM, check out our newly updated website, or email us.
IFAB’s 2017-18 Laws of the Game – Modifications to the Laws
The Laws of the Game (LOTG) promote the creation of a fair and safe environment as well as participation and enjoyment. Modifications on certain aspects of the laws are allowed/approved by U.S. Soccer to benefit youth, amateur, disability, and grassroots soccer.
The familiar modifications include: a) size of the field of play, b) size, weight, and material of the ball, c) width between the goalpost and height of the crossbar from the ground, and d) the use of return substitutes.
The new or updated modifications are:
- The use of temporary dismissals for some or all cautions (Yellow Cards), and
- The duration of two equal halves of the game (and two equal halves of extra time).
The use of temporary dismissals is optional and subject to approval by the U.S. Soccer Referee Department. Currently, no request to allow the use of temporary dismissals have been received.
We’d like to read your comments about other potential modification of the LOTG which could increase participation, make soccer more attractive, and promote its development, as we work towards our mission of making soccer the preeminent sport in the United States.
PDI Implementation and Resources
The Player Development Initiatives went in to effect for the upcoming season on August 1, which includes the birth-year registration mandate and small-sided games requirement.
The most up-to-date version of the PDIs are available online.
As many competitions are implementing both changes for the first time this season, we are seeing an increase in phone calls and emails from parents, coaches and administrators regarding the PDIs. When we receive these questions, we will direct them back to the Member Organization they affiliate with to receive information.
If you have additional questions that need clarification, please contact the Coaching Education department.
2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: Sporting Kansas to City to Host Final on September 20
Sporting Kansas City bounced back from an early deficit to draw level and eventually outlast San Jose Earthquakes to book a place in the Final of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Following 120 minutes of play, penalty kicks decided the winner, with Sporting KC converting 5 of 6 kicks to advance to the Final.
They will learn their opponent on August 15, when FC Cincinnati hosts the New York Red Bulls at a sold-out Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
The final will take place at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Wednesday, September 20.
All Open Cup information is available here on ussoccer.com and you can catch up on all of the 2017 Open Cup online, or via Twitter and Instagram.
USMNT Win 6th CONCACAF Gold Cup Title
The U.S. Men’s National Team won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup by defeating Jamaica 2-1 on July 26th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
It took goals by Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris to give the United States their first Gold Cup title since 2013, and after, captain Michael Bradley received the Golden Ball, as best player in the tournament.
Up next, it’s back to FIFA World Cup Qualifying, when the MNT face off against Costa Rica on September 1 in Harrison, New Jersey at Red Bull Arena at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN Networks and Univision Network). For tickets, please go to our website.
Tournament of Nations: USWNT Finish Second
The United States Women’s National Team was unable to overcome an opening game loss to Australia in the 2017 Tournament of Nations, and finished second in the four-team tournament.
Following the 1-0 loss to the Aussies, the WNT rebounded with a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Brazil, Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz each scoring a goal in a 9-minute span to overcome a 3-1 deficit.
In the final game, the United States beat Japan 3-0, paced by goals from Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Mallory Pugh.
The team returns to action on September 15 and 19 against New Zealand in Commerce City, Colo. and Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively. Tickets for both matches are available online.
Reminders:
- The September Membership Update will come out September 11.
- The Referee Program Update is available here, and includes information on Referee Department staff updates, and 2018 test, materials and certifications.
- The Development Academy and the Talent Identification departments are still working to finalize the Training Center schedule for 2017-18; once it is completed, we will continue to link to it in the monthly membership updates.
- All upcoming International Games scheduled in the United States are available via link at this page under "International Games-Weekly Schedule." The pdf is updated when any new game is scheduled.
- Additional comments, suggestions, or questions are always welcome, so feel free to call 312-528-1300 or email
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