Soccer Legend Paul Caligiuri Takes on Director of Player Development for UPSL
Paul Caligiuri, U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee, will lend his expertise as a former pro and inspiring coach to take the fastest growing soccer league in the USA to the next level.
The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) has just announced the addition of Paul Caligiuri as Director of Player Development. For those who don’t know or remember, Paul Caligiuri scored the goal that got our country to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy after a 40-year absence.
U.S. National Soccer Hall of Famer Caligiuri scored one of the most famous goals in U.S. History with this spectacular volley against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain.
Today, Paul Caligiuri’s goal is still considered one of the 10 most significant goals in the history of American soccer.
Currently, Caligiuri is the Head Coach and Technical Director of Orange County FC and earlier this year was a candidate in the race for the 2018 U.S. Soccer Presidential Election. With years of top-level experience, Caligiuri has a comprehensive understanding of the American soccer landscape and what it takes to make a difference on the world stage.
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Caligiuri has always believed in focusing on the ‘player’ and that Amerian soccer leagues must provide more opportunities for our most talented youth players have meaningful minutes on the field to develop their game. A champion of player development, Caligiuri has a record of making a difference.
“It is almost a year since the USA failed to qualify for the World Cup and the time is now to make the future for American soccer better,” said United Premier Soccer League Commissioner Yan Skwara.“It’s a real honor to welcome Paul as the Director of Player Development for the UPSL. Paul’s passion for growing the game in the USA is exceptional and will be a tremendous asset as the UPSL’s player development efforts continue to expand.”
“Caligiuri understands American soccer and how the challenges tie in with UPSL’s objectives. Working with UPSL, and its large memberships of teams, coaches, players, and fans will give Caligiuri a multi-level framework to achieve a real difference,” said Skwara.
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The UPSL has expanded rapidly in the last few years. With a low cost of entry and a comprehensive system with 5-tiers of promotion and relegation, the USPL has grown to 300+ teams in 32 states.
“I am super excited to be part of the UPSL, an organization that is achieving much success in multiple areas of soccer in the USA,” said UPSL’s new Director of Player Development Paul Caligiuri. “There is so much potential in this country and it’s great to be part of an organization that is committed to their players, coaches, and teams all across America.”
“Just in Southern California alone there are over 500,000 high school soccer players, and many of these players are being ignored and bypassed,” said Caligiuri.
“The UPSL will always have its doors open to all teams and players to showcase these great, young talents so that we as a country can achieve higher levels. I look forward to playing my role with the league and its players,” said Caligiuri.
From the perspective of the UPSL’s management, it shouldn’t cost a lot of money to play soccer in America. The league’s motto is Connecting American Soccer.
Caligiuri, 54, is a native of Southern California and starred at UCLA before going on to an illustrious professional career that included appearances at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
Caligiuri’s professional career spanned 16 years in the United States and Germany, with the midfielder and defender earning 110 caps and scoring five goals for the U.S. National Team.
As part of the role of Director of Player Development, Caligiuri will promote UPSL’s Pro Development structure and continue to work on nationwide scouting.
