Home » 

Commitment to Culture

Commitment to Culture

On October 10, 2018, United Soccer Coaches unveiled the “Commitment to Culture”, an initiative by coaches for coaches to build a unique, positive soccer playing culture in America. Please add your voice by signing the pledge. Our goal is 10,000 signatures.

On October 10, 2017, the United States Men’s National Team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was disappointing for everyone…coaches, players, and fans. As concerning were reports of long term decline in soccer player participation, particularly in the younger ages.

United Soccer Coaches was determined to use both those issues as an opportunity.

Coaches from all levels of the game assembled at the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention for a one-day Summit. They were charged with developing a framework of fundamental beliefs that coaches could collectively support to build a positive soccer playing culture in America. The outcome of months of work is the “Commitment to Culture”.

As soccer coaches, we are committed to creating a unique, positive culture for our sport in America. We want to lead the effort to build a soccer culture that celebrates what is best about our game and helps it transcend from what happens on the field to what happens in the lives of our players.

We ask that all soccer coaches embrace the Commitment to Culture for soccer in America and actively manifest these seven cornerstones in our players, our families, our competitions, our infrastructure and ourselves.

The Seven Cornerstones

SOCCER UNITES US We embrace and celebrate our differences because the game makes us one.

CHARACTER FIRST We honor, teach and develop the core values of honesty, loyalty, responsibility, selflessness, compassion, and discipline.

THE RULE OF FUN Fun is the lens that can make every soccer player a success. Fun takes many forms and always concludes with “I want to do it again”.

THE GAME IS THE TEACHER We are all responsible to ensure that soccer teaches the skills of a well-lived life. Teamwork, leadership, hard work, communication, creativity are just the beginning of its lessons.

WELL-BEING COUNTS A safe, healthy, welcoming experience in body, mind and spirit is the right of every soccer stakeholder.

WE ARE FAMILY-STRONG Family in all its forms—team, club, community, relatives—is the greatest asset that soccer has. Take time to connect and appreciate.

SOCCER IS THE PLAYER’S GAME Soccer is a personal journey for every player. It is for the player to see, decide, create and win or lose. It is their game.