KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 23, 2025) – United Soccer Coaches has announced the selection of longtime soccer journalist Michael Lewis as the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award.
The award was established in 2020 to provide an opportunity for the association to recognize a media professional for a distinguished career covering the events and issues of soccer in the United States. It is named for Clay Berling, the founder and publisher of Soccer America. Berling is the only person from the media to have been named a recipient of the United Soccer Coaches prestigious Honor Award in 1996.
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“It is with great admiration that we recognize Michael Lewis with our sixth annual Media Career of Excellence Award,” said Paul Payne, United Soccer Coaches President. “On behalf of our association, we extend our gratitude to Michael and his commitment to the sport through his longtime contributions to the game at every level.”
Michael Lewis has devoted more than 50 years of his life to chronicling the sport of soccer at all levels. The native of Brooklyn, N.Y., began his career at the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle in 1974. As a beat writer he covered the Rochester Lancers of the NASL as well local and regional soccer at all levels in western New York. During his time there, he witnessed Pele’s first NASL goal in 1975 and his final pro match at the 1977 Soccer Bowl.
Lewis served as the New York Daily News soccer columnist for 22 years. He also was editor and publisher of Soccer Week (1987-93), editor of Soccer Magazine (1993-2000), was the cofounder and editor of BigApple Soccer.com and is currently the editor of FrontRowSoccer.com.
A well-known contributor to many publications, Lewis has had by-lines in Soccer America, The Guardian, The Athletic.com. ESPN, CBS, World Soccer, FourFourTwo, Forbes and the Washington Post. He has published nine books on soccer and has covered 13 World Cups and seven Olympic Games. In addition, he has covered all but one of the 29 previous MLS Cups.
A past president of the Professional Soccer Reporters Association, Lewis has been inducted into the Eastern New York State Soccer Association and Long Island Soccer Football League Halls of Fame. He was recognized by United Soccer Coaches with a Letter of Commendation in 2007.
The award will be presented on Friday, January 16, 2026, during the United Soccer Coaches annual Awards Ceremony in conjunction with its 86th annual Convention, January 13-17 in Philadelphia, Pa.