What Do Soccer People Really Think?
In short, soccer is everything. Soccer is life.
Yes, this is a list of quotes from top people involved in the game of soccer …and the quotes all celebrate how the game empowers, challenges and connects us all. Let us remember, regardless of our differences, soccer unites all of us together by our shared passion.
“I love that it’s the player’s game. At its best, the coaches, fans and everything else fades away and on the field, a player gets to be the decision-maker and the true creator,” said Lynn Berling-Manuel, CEO – United Soccer Coaches
I love the opportunities that soccer provides, especially for our youth —health, self-esteem, friendships and most importantly, a passion for life.
Dr. Pete Zophi, Chair of U.S. Youth Soccer
“What do I love? I love the excitement and patriotism of our national teams — and the sheer enjoyment on Saturday mornings at local soccer parks while watching the game being played by children,” said Tim Turney, Vice Chair for U.S. Youth Soccer, and a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation
“It is more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle.”
Sarah Kate “Skate” Noftsinger, Director of Marketing & Fan Engagement for the Atlanta United FC
“What I love about soccer? The ability to unite communities and change lives. It’s a sport that when lead right, is at the forefront of intersectionality, inclusion, and representation. Above all, I love the freedom and passion it unlocks,” said Sarah Kate “Skate” Noftsinger, Director of Marketing & Fan Engagement for the Atlanta United FC
The game is all about the players. It promotes freedom and creativity. What could be more beautiful?
John O’Sullivan, Speaker, Founder of Changing the Game Project
“I love soccer because it brings tangible joy. Since it is a game played with our feet, it is a game of mistakes and frustration. Once you overcome, you have tangible pleasure from something that once may have seemed insurmountable,” Montele Graves, University of San Diego Women coach and San Diego Surf
“Soccer’s community environment supersedes borders and offers a great opportunity for diversity & inclusion.”
Mary Jane Bender, Executive Director of Illinois Youth Soccer Association
“Soccer in America looks very bright with the young players we are developing. Great Times Ahead,” said Michael Collins, President – California United Strikers FC
“Love that it’s always evolving, the creativity is incredible.”
Michael Collins, President – California United Strikers FC
Soccer is clearly becoming the most positive beacon of social justice and making this world 🌎 a better place.
Anson Dorrance, former U.S. Women’s National Team head coach and current University of North Carolina head women’s soccer coach, and the 2016 winner of the Werner Fricker Builder Award
“I have just returned from Miami where I was at a glorious celebration: the marriage of Ashlyn and Ali. And honestly, what I absolutely love about soccer right now is how it brings me even closer to the people I care about,” said Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina head women’s soccer coach.
“Football is a great school of life … you learn everything, for example how to relate to others, how to lose, how to deal with adversity, you learn to fight for your mates and how to stay humble when you win,” said Eddie Loewen, Founder – Global Soccer Development
“The game of soccer is unique versus all other sports — it has a special way of bringing players, coaches, families, and fans from different cultures and different walks of life to enjoy ninety minutes of unpredictable sport creativity,” said Yan Skwara, Commissioner UPSL.
“I love soccer because of the passion within the game which unites the entire world … there is no sport that compares or does the same.
Noah Gins, CEO – Albion SC / ASC San Diego
“What I love about soccer is being involved with a sport that brings people of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and other differences together with a common bond both on and off the field,” said Sean Jones, President of WPSL
“I love that every touch on the ball is different and every player brings their own creativity to the game,” said Francesco Cleaves, United Women’s Soccer
“I love the individuality as well as teamwork, all in a single sport.”
Sam Snow, Founder
“I like players being able to think for themselves on how to play the game. I love the global participation in soccer. I love the joy the game brings to untold millions of people,” said Sam Snow, CEO of American Made Soccer Consultants
“I love the game when watching mature, skillful, unpredictable play and constant movement off the ball. I also love the relationships and travel throughout the years involved in the game,” said Bobby Lennon, USL Hall of Famer, Founder Marbella United FC
“Why do I love Soccer? Soccer is powerful, sweet, physical, nimble, speedy, intelligent, magical.
Cle Kooiman, Former U.S. National Team defender
“Soccer is also universal, bruising, quick, beautiful, sexy, restless, perfect and imperfect, competitive, personality, color, exciting, united, together, teamwork, commitment, special, impressive as well as 1000 more amazing adjectives. In short, soccer is everything. Soccer is life,” said Cle Kooiman –
Director of Girls at Legends FC and member of the 1994 World Cup U.S. Men’s National Team and former Captain of Cruz Azul Mexico.
I love helping to develop players from a young age to play in the English Premier League — such as Declan Rice,” said Ian Yuill, Head of Technical Development for West Ham United (20-year-old Rice is now on the EPL squad at West Ham United and joined their academy when he was 14-years old.)
“The opportunity to bring fun and enjoyment to young players by taking them to their maximum level, whatever that may be.”
Barry Ritson, U.S. Soccer U16 Girls’ National Team Coach
“I love the way soccer brings people together. Being a part of a team that fights for one another is very special. The lessons you learn about hard work, winning, losing, battling- you take with you for your entire life,” said Brooke Kentera, Co-Founder & Vice President at ScoutingZone
“The World 🌎 sport in over 100 countries I have visited, soccer unites people from young and old from every race and gender,” Cherif Zein, Founder, CZ Elite FC
“Crossing borders, economic status, languages, religions, and cultures — soccer is truly the world’s game. ❤️ I love soccer because it is the single thing that connects more people around our planet than anything else,” said Otto Orf II, former U.S. Men’s National Futsal goalkeeper and now Director of U.S. Youth Futsal Great Lakes Futsal.
Soccer is a Global Game and it is for Everyone
“You express yourself during and through the game and it connects people throughout the Globe.”
Eddie Loewen, Founder – Global Soccer Development
“I love the people that it brings into my life — high school teammates and coaches gave me a lifetime of memories followed by four years with college teammates that were more fun on and off the field than I would have ever dreamed. Then Fifteen years at MLS working nationally televised events and now five-plus years at New Jersey Youth Soccer — all the while, meeting life long friends and mentors,” said Evan Dabby, Executive Director – NJ Youth Soccer.
“I love soccers ability to bring communities together!”
Rick Kelsey, CEO of Arizona Soccer Association
“I love that it gives me a language that connects 211 countries and that it sends me around the World!” said Tom Byer, Founder Soccer Starts At Home.
“I love soccer for how it brings people of all backgrounds together and the reflection of sometimes of life in the game,” said Johnson Asiedu, Technical Director FC Golden State – San Diego.
“I love the beauty of the game itself. The collective efforts of an entire team to rely on and trust each other for an end result that results in joy for the entire team,” Michael Higgins, General Manager of OC Surf.
Soccer is such a beautiful game, I LOVE the creativity of the game … the jukes, the flicks, the fakes, and faints ❤️
Lindsey Huile, 4 Time Hall of Famer and 4 Time All- American, now youth soccer coach and player on LA Galaxy OC – Women’s, UWS Champions 2019
“The game provides the opportunity for individual creativity and team cohesion to compliment each other in the pursuit of excellence,” said Ron Quinn, Director of MEd in Coaching Education & Athlete Development – Xavier University.
Soccer is the greatest sport in the world
Kenny Farrell, Chairman of the Board of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)
“I love soccer because there is always an answer for everyone at every level, no matter where you come from. When it comes to life, we just need to realize there is also always an answer, and then we CAN and DO achieve amazing things,” said Kenny Farrell, Chairman of the Board of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
“I love that soccer teaches all players valuable life lessons and provides amazing experiences and opportunities,” said Tim Woodcock, CEO Liverpool FC International Academy SoCal.
Soccer is a good analogy for life – relationships, trust, goal orientation, and the rush of emotion that comes from achieving a shared goal.
Maruizio Grillo, Head Coach, Sarah Lawrence College Women’s Soccer
“What I love about soccer is my soccer family! I have chosen to impact my community in Oceanside through my work in Soccer… and the game has blessed me with the most amazing soccer family ever,” said Frank Zimmerman, SC of Oceanside.
I love that the game is so different in its artistic forms, allowing coaches/players to create their own style via a synchronized movement with and without the ball.
Yossi Raz, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at UCI
“The game brings together people of all backgrounds into one locker room and makes them feel like family, helping them share their cultures and, ultimately, allows them to build memories for a lifetime,” said Yossi Raz, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at UCI.
“What I love about soccer is the instant bond you can make with a total stranger talking about the beautiful game or kicking the ball around. It’s truly the world’s game, bringing together people from all walks of like and every corner of the world,” said Eric Bucchere, founder and CEO of Path2Pro Soccer.
Perhaps Steve Gans deserves the final word …
“One can go to a field and play pickup soccer with several different people who don’t speak the same language in their native tongues, and yet, the minute the game begins, everyone speaks the same language, the universal language of soccer,” said Steve Gans, who ran for president of U.S. Soccer and has been involved in American soccer since the 1970s.
“Like no other sport — or perhaps human activity— soccer bridges gaps and brings the world together.”
Steve Gans
