How many kids play soccer in the USA?  Anyone really know how many U9 girls are registered to play soccer all across America? 

While we all know the number of kids playing soccer in the USA is in the millions, no one knows the exact number of soccer playing kids in our country because there is no one single database which registers all the youth soccer players.

While this might sound like big brother wanting data, it is much more.

In a world overflowing with data — and with all other major soccer powers on the globe already invested in analytics, the USA is playing catch up.

Now — this changes.

U.S. Soccer has announced the official launch of U.S. Soccer Connect, a data and technology platform that will streamline and improve the connection and communication with our members.

U.S. Soccer Connect is being implemented through a long-term strategic plan with Blue Star Sports, the nation’s leading youth sports systems integration and technology company.
This collaboration will deliver the world’s most innovative, technology-driven solutions to integrate U.S. Soccer’s vision and empower member organizations and participants at all levels to have the best experience possible with the game of soccer.

Why does this matter?

Information will flow easily from your desktop and your phone …

Through integrated web and mobile platforms, U.S. Soccer Connect will provide members with a simplified player registration process and adherence to the required standards for FIFA Connect and the ITC process.

U.S. Soccer has to accomplish this comprehensive task — FIFA’s Connect Programme is designed to organize the world of soccer and help Associations register all their stakeholders in a systematic way. Approved in 2011 by the FIFA Executive Committee, FIFA wants to have all individuals involved in football registered worldwide by the year 2019.

U.S. Soccer Connect Benefits Who?

Everyone who plays, coaches or is involved with soccer in the USA benefits.

“Ultimately, we believe this integration will help provide parents, players, coaches and referees with an unparalleled connection with U.S. Soccer,” said Caitlin Carducci, Manager of Member Programs.

One of the many benefits of the new U.S. Soccer Connect system will be a seamless integration with platforms such as the U.S. Soccer’s Digital Coach Center (DCC) and National Data Center.

The Digital Coaching Center is a state-of-the art online educational platform which enables coaches to communicate with technical staff, take part in online courses, create session plans with an online graphics tool, access an archive of U.S. Soccer training sessions and much more.

“As we continue to focus on member alignment, U.S. Soccer Connect enables us to implement a technology platform that streamlines processes between U.S. Soccer and our member organizations,” said Carducci.

And this is just the beginning.

Looking for collaboration

After a thorough, multi-year evaluation, the first phase of the U.S. Soccer Connect rollout will be to sign up organization members and schedule implementation meetings for activation beginning in the 2018-19 season.

These early adopters will also collaborate with the design team to further customize the U.S. Soccer Connect platform.

Blue Star Sports has created this leading player and coach ecosystem to bring the benefits of technology to help further the game of soccer in the USA.

Soon, we will know the exact number of how many players play soccer.