State Associations helped shape the decision, and will play and even larger role in creating new opportunities to strengthen soccer in communities across the country.
[Phoenix, AZ] (Aug. 31, 2026) – Arizona Soccer Association joined State Associations across the country in supporting a historic step to make US Youth Soccer (USYS) part of U.S. Soccer, bringing the organizations closer together to invest more in local soccer and create better experiences for players and families creating greater alignment across the game and new opportunities to strengthen soccer locally.
On August 29, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) State Associations voted during the USYS Annual General Meeting to approve the change, beginning a two-year integration process on September 1, 2026. The decision brings together USYS’s decades of experience and extensive reach across youth soccer with U.S. Soccer’s resources and national scale, creating a more unified pathway for the future of the game.
“The approval of this by-law shows U.S. Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and State Associations can work together with trust and a shared vision for the collaboration to create clearer pathways and standards, better opportunities, and a brighter future for ALL members and organizations of US Soccer and every player in the game.” Jonathan Berzins, CEO
What This Means for Soccer in Arizona
The integration begins a two-year process in which State Associations will work closely with U.S. Soccer and USYS to help shape the future of soccer in communities around the country.
The goal is to create a stronger and more connected soccer system that can:
- Bring more resources and investment to soccer locally.
- Strengthen State Associations and their ability to support and grow the game in their communities.
- Create more opportunities for people to play and stay in the game.
- Better support clubs, leagues, coaches and referees serving players every day.
- Make soccer easier for families to understand and navigate.
- Connect local communities more directly to U.S. Soccer and the resources, expertise and opportunities available nationally.
The integration is part of U.S. Soccer’s broader Pathways Strategy, which brings together members and stakeholders from across American soccer to create a more connected future for the game. For Arizona Soccer Association, that future starts locally building on the work already happening in our communities and creating the support, investment and opportunities to help soccer reach even more people across Arizona.