AYSO

AYSO and AYSO PLAY! are on the ground at the U.S. Soccer Federation Annual General Meeting, engaging with federation leaders, partners, and innovators who are shaping the future of soccer in our country. We’re excited to represent our AYSO volunteers, players, and families while strengthening partnerships that help advance youth development nationwide. #oneteam

AYSO is proud to announce a new national education partnership with The Autism Community in Action (TACA) to expand inclusive soccer education nationwide. As an official AYSO Education Partner, TACA will provide workshops at select 2026 AYSO EXPO events and deliver live, virtual, and on-demand training modules through AYSO’s coach development platform at no cost to volunteers. Curated TACA resources will also be integrated into AYSO Coach Training and EPIC Coach Certification curriculum. This collaboration builds on AYSO’s long-standing commitment to inclusion through EPIC (Everyone Plays In our Community), ensuring that more coaches are equipped with practical tools to support children on the autism spectrum and to create positive, accessible environments for all players. By strengthening volunteer education, we continue to reinforce what makes AYSO unique: a community-driven model focused on opportunity, development, and belonging for every child. View the full details: https://lnkd.in/gjUbgmnQ

We’re proud to have Flower Edington representing AYSO PLAY! and AYSO at the Women in Soccer Career Fair 2026 🙌 Let’s create opportunities, build connections, and continue to grow the game for all!

From the very beginning, one of AYSO's founding principles has been simple, yet powerful: Everyone Plays. That belief helped create opportunities for girls to play, grow, lead, and belong. In 1968, dedicated AYSO volunteers—including Joe Karbus, Mario Machado, Ron Ricklefs, and others—launched the organization’s first girls’ soccer programs, which quickly spread across AYSO Regions. With overwhelming support, girls’ soccer was officially adopted by AYSO in May 1971. Years before Title IX—the landmark civil rights law prohibiting gender-based discrimination in athletics—AYSO was already putting that principle into action on fields across the country. That early commitment helped shape the future of the game. In 1995, when the first official Women’s World Cup kicked off, several former AYSO players—including Maree Harvey, Julie Foudy, and Joy Fawcett—represented the United States. In the years since, AYSO alumni have gone on to play for the U.S. Women’s National Team and in professional leagues. Beyond the field, countless girls who began their soccer journey in AYSO have grown into leaders in their communities. Their stories show that the impact of youth sports extends far beyond the game itself. This National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we celebrate the players who proved the soccer field was always theirs, and the generations who continue to carry that legacy forward.

⚽ Strengthening the foundation of youth soccer nationwide. AYSO is proud to announce the renewal and expansion of our long-standing partnership with Sator Soccer as the Official Soccer Goal Provider for AYSO programs across the United States. As youth soccer participation continues to grow ahead of the FIFA World Cup, this partnership helps ensure AYSO Regions have access to safe, reliable, and affordable soccer goals—supporting volunteers and creating positive playing environments for players and families in every community we serve. The expanded agreement also brings exclusive benefits for AYSO members and volunteers, including preferred pricing, priority access to new products, dedicated support resources, and elevated rewards. https://lnkd.in/g767XSH8

The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) today announced that the AYSO National Board of Directors has appointed Jenni Luke as National Executive Director, effective January 22, 2026. Luke brings extensive experience leading mission-driven organizations focused on youth, families, and community impact. She served as Vice President of Community Impact for the San Francisco 49ers, leading community relations, the 49ers Foundation, and youth programs to expand educational access and promote healthy lifestyles. Luke brought growth and economic sustainability to the 49ers community work, including launching the NFL’s first for-profit flag football league. She previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Step Up, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting teen girls from under-resourced communities, quadrupling the number of teens served while furthering the organization’s mission to empower and propel girls to become the next generation of professional women. Luke earned a BA from UCSD and a J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law. “After a thoughtful and comprehensive search, the AYSO National Board of Directors is confident that Jenni brings the experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence needed to guide AYSO into its next chapter,” said Doug Ryan, President, AYSO National Board of Directors. “Jenni’s collaborative leadership style and deep dedication to serving young people and families align closely with AYSO’s mission and the high standards we set for how we support volunteers, staff, and communities nationwide.” As National Executive Director, Luke will lead AYSO’s national operations and work closely with volunteers, staff, and leadership throughout the organization to strengthen program quality, operational excellence, participant growth, and long-term sustainability. “AYSO plays a vital role in communities across the country by creating safe, positive, and inclusive experiences for young people through the game of soccer,” said Jenni Luke. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen how access to supportive programs, caring mentors, and strong communities can shape confidence, character, and opportunity for the next generation. AYSO has been built by volunteers and families who believe deeply in that same idea, and I’m honored to join the organization and work alongside them to help young people grow, while continuing to deliver the high-quality experiences families trust.” https://lnkd.in/gAzGZHi6

Join us on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 12:30 PM PT for a discussion on ACL injury awareness and prevention, streaming on YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and LinkedIn Live. Scott Snyder, Senior Director of Programs and Education at AYSO, sits down with Dr. Carlos Uquillas, Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgeon at Cedars Sinai Orthopaedics, for an insightful conversation on what athletes, parents, and coaches should know about ACL injuries, including risk factors, prevention strategies, and best practices for keeping players healthy and active.

🎂 AYSO PLAY! Turns Two   Two years ago, we launched AYSO PLAY! with a clear purpose: expand access to the game by bringing a high-quality, inclusive AYSO soccer experience to more kids in more communities.   The growth has been fast-paced and the impact meaningful—made possible through strong partnerships and an incredible internal network. We’re grateful for the continued support of the U.S. Soccer Federation, whose shared commitment to access and development has helped accelerate this program nationwide.   Equally important, this progress wouldn’t exist without the leadership, trust, and execution of the American Youth Soccer Organization community—especially our Section, Area, and Region (SAR) leaders who have embraced and supported AYSO PLAY! as a new pathway to bring the AYSO experience to more kids in more communities.   We’re proud of what’s been built in just two years—and even more energized by what lies ahead. There is still a significant opportunity to reach more kids, remove barriers, and grow the game where it’s needed most.   Onward to Year 3. ⚽ #AYSOPLAY #AYSO #USSoccer #GrowTheGame #YouthSoccer #CommunityImpact

This is community. This is soccer with heart. This is AYSO. ❤️⚽