WALT CHYZOWYCH FUND
UNITED SOCCER COACHES FOUNDATION
TWO AMERICAN SOCCER ICONS TO BE HONORED FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
The Walt Chyzowych Fund (WCF), a charitable fund of the United Soccer Coaches Foundation announced today that TONY MEOLA and CINDY PARLOW CONE will be honored at the Walt Chyzowych Fund Annual Award Celebration and Reception during the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in the Philadelphia Convention Center Marriott Grand BallRoom L at 4PM!
The Walt Chyzowych Fund (www.waltslegacy.com) was founded after the Philadelphia soccer Legend’s passing in 1994 to honor his life and legacy as US Men’s Olympic and National Team Coach and Director of Coaching in the modern formative years of US Soccer. The fund provides coaching education scholarships and grants to aspiring young coaches through its fund-raising efforts in partnership with the United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) Foundation.
Tony Meola, one of the most recognizable names, face and voices in US Soccer has a career playing record that includes three World Cups, twice being named a collegiate All-American, a Hermann Trophy as a freshman at the University of Virgina and a MAC Award as a sophomore. Meola was named League MVP of Major League Soccer (MLS), Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Cup MVP when in 2000 he led Kansas City to the Championship. After his playing career Meola remained in the game as a coach and mentor prior to a broadcasting career which include commentary during the 2018 World Cup, a Copa America, and MLS Broadcasts which continue to this day. Meola also serves as a host of Sirius XM FC, which is dedicated entirely to soccer.
When learning of his selection as a Walt Chyzowych Fund Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Meola said: “I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the Walt Chyzowych Fund and United Soccer Coaches Foundation with this Lifetime Achievement Award. Walt Chyzowych was part of my soccer journey during one of the proudest periods of my career when a group of young men, and great teammates, embarked on making history in 1990. Representing the USMNT in our first World Cup in 40 years was a dream come true for me personally and helped spark a new generation of players and fans of this beautiful game. I accept this award in remembrance of Walt, and on behalf of every teammate and Coach I had throughout my career”.
As a player, Cindy Parlow Cone was a twice Olympic Gold Medalist, a 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and a three-time NCAA Champion at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Cone served as assistant coach to Anson Dorrance at UNC from 2007 to 2012 before moving to the NWSL Portland Thorns FC where as head coach she won the Championship in 2013.
Cindy Parlow Cone served on multiple US Soccer Committees including the Athletes’ Council. In February of 2019 she was elected interim Vice President of US Soccer and a year later was elected to a four-year term. She assumed the Presidency in 2022 and was elected to a four-year term the following year.
As President, Cone was instrumental in the Women’s National Team litigation settlement, bringing commercial rights back to the Federation, and partnered with corporate, philanthropic and local/state governments to build US Soccer’s first National Training Center. In 2025, Cindy Parlow Cone was names to Forbes’ America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports list.
On learning of her Lifetime Achievement Award from the Walt Chyzowych Fund, Cindy Parlow Cone said: “I’ve been fortunate to spend my life in soccer, and that only happens because of leaders like Walt Chyzowych who came before me and helped build the foundation of the sport in the United States. This honor is really a reflection of all the teammates, coaches, staff and mentors who shaped me along the way. They challenged me, believed in me, and made me better, and this award belongs just as much to them. I’m deeply grateful for this recognition and excited to keep driving the game forward for future generations”.
T The Walt Chyzowych Fund Award Ceremony and Reception is supported by its principal donor Capelli Sports. The event is open to the public. To learn more about the Walt Chyzowych Fund and the United Soccer Coaches Foundation or to DONATE please see www.waltslegacy.com or www.unitedsoccercoachesfoundation.org/CoachesGIVE.