The United States Soccer Federation, or U.S.

Soccer, is the National Governing Body for the

sport of soccer in the United States. With

headquarters in Chicago, U.S. Soccer served as

host federation for World Cup USA 1994, the

most successful event in Federation

Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

history.

U.S. Soccer was one of the world's first

organizations to be affiliated with the FIFA,

soccer's world governing body, beginning in

1913. U.S. Soccer has continued to grow and now

has the second-largest membership among U.S.

Olympic Committee National Governing Bodies.

Approximately 50 full-time U.S. Soccer

employees work to administer and serve a

membership located in all 50 states. Known

originally as the U.S. Football Association,

U.S. Soccer's name was changed to the United

States Soccer Football Association in 1945 and

then to its present name in 1974. U.S. Soccer,

is a non-profit, largely volunteer organization

with much of its business administered by a

national council of elected officials

representing three administrative arms --

approximately 3 million youth players 19 years

of age and under; 300,000 senior players over

the age of 19; and the professional division.

U.S. Soccer manages seven full National Teams.

Men's programs include a National Team,

Under-23 (Olympic), Under-20, Under-17, and

Five-A-Side (Futsal). Women's teams include the

National and Under-20 teams. Three

developmental national team programs include

Under-18 and Under-16 Boys and Under-16 Girls.

The Women's National Team has produced the most

significant achievements in U.S. Soccer

history, winning the first-ever FIFA Women's

World Cup Championship in China in 1991 and the

gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in

Atlanta.

The Men's National Team won the U.S. Cup '95

title and advanced to the semi-finals of Copa

America before bowing out to eventual-Champion

Brazil 1-0. The Men's National Team advanced to

the second round of World Cup play in 1994 for

the first time in 64 years.

Coaching schools are regularly held throughout

the United States where interested persons may

gain certification at six progressive levels.

U.S. Soccer has more than 72,000 certified

coaches. The referee program makes up an

integral part of the United States soccer

scene, with approximately 74,000 referees

currently registered.

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