News

NJ Youth Soccer and Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) recently hosted the in-person week for an All-Female National C License Course, which consisted of two full days and two half-days of small group activities and individual field work. Coach candidates from 11 different states across the country are participating in this year’s course.

This National C License Course continues a strong collaboration between NJ Youth Soccer and WAGS in our goal to increase female participation in soccer throughout the State of New Jersey and beyond. The partnership further strengthens the impact of the NJYS Growing the Girls Game (G3) Initiative, which focuses on empowering females both on and off the field, and at all ages and stages of the soccer experience.

See below to learn more about the coach candidates who are participating in this All-Female C Course!

Brianne Casey is an assistant coach at the University at Buffalo, a Division 1 program in the Mid-American Conference. She contributed to the team’s 2022 MAC Regular Season Championship, MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA tournament appearance. In addition to directing UB Summer Soccer Camps, she has coached with the Western New York Flash youth club for five years and is currently the head coach of the 2010 Girls ECNL RL Team.

Prior to working at UB, Casey was an assistant coach at Division 2 school Southern Connecticut State University from 2017 to 2019. She also coached club soccer at Connecticut Football Club and was a staff coach with Connecticut ODP, also serving as Operations Director for Star Goalkeeper Academy Summer Camps.

A Connecticut native, Casey played collegiately and earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Central Connecticut State University. While at Central, she helped win a Northeast Conference Championship in 2014 and made an NCAA tournament appearance. She then earned a Master’s Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2019. Casey currently resides in Buffalo, NY.

Victoria Colotti entered her sixth year as a member of the Buffalo State Women’s Soccer coaching staff in 2023. After concluding her four-year playing career at Buffalo State, Colotti joined the women’s soccer staff as a volunteer assistant in 2018. Following a successful first season as a volunteer, she was officially named Assistant Women’s Soccer coach in Spring 2019, a position she has held since.

During her playing career, the midfielder was a four-time All-SUNYAC selection, finishing her career with 15 goals and 32 points in 76 career games. She was an integral member of the Bengals’ SUNYAC Championship in 2016 and is the only player in school history to score a goal in the NCAA Tournament.

Colotti competes in the United Women’s Soccer (UWS) league as a player and assistant coach for FC Berlin. A native of New Windsor, New York, Colotti holds multiple Bachelor’s Degrees from Buffalo State, completing her undergraduate studies in Computer Information Systems and Health and Wellness in 2018. Colotti also holds a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from SUNY Cortland in 2022. 

Active in the Buffalo youth soccer community, Colotti coaches U15G and U17G teams for Kenmore Soccer Club. She currently resides in Buffalo with her fiancée, Julie, and their two dogs, Moose and Scout. 

Kerry Deckert has spent a lifetime advocating for women and girls who want to play the beautiful game. While in high school, she petitioned the school board at High Point Regional High School to start a girls soccer program. She then went on to play a year at Virginia Tech on their newly formed women’s soccer team before transferring to Northern Arizona to play for the Lumberjacks.

Deckert received her first New Jersey F Coaching License back in 1993 and has been coaching and refereeing ever since. She currently serves on the board at Kittatinny Soccer Club in Sussex County, New Jersey. She is also a coach for PDA-SCP based out of Sparta, New Jersey, currently coaching their U10 and U11 girls while assisting with their U14 and U16 girls teams as well.

Deckert is married with four children and lives in beautiful Sandyston Township, New Jersey. In addition to her commitments in soccer, she is also a physical education and health teacher for her local elementary school.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from other women in the game. I feel that women bring a unique and important perspective on a male dominated profession. I love that we are finally beginning to have a seat at the table. I’m so grateful that WAGS and NJ Youth Soccer are supporting the Growth of the Girls Game. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without the years I’ve spent on the soccer field. I love seeing the next generation of girls and women with so many incredible opportunities in their sports.”

Kay Erickson was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and she grew up playing club soccer and high school soccer in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. She helped the Vestavia Hills High School Girls Soccer Team win their first state championship and was a three-year captain of the team. She went on to play college soccer at The University of Southern Mississippi (2005), where she was a four-year starter and named a C-USA All-Conference player. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication. 

After college, Erickson first continued her playing career in Vancouver, Canada, and then with the San Diego Sealions in the WPSL. She also began her coaching career in San Diego, where she coached several U12-U19 club soccer teams in Carlsbad, California. She also served as a high school varsity girls head coach at Tri-City Christian School (Vista, CA) and an assistant coach at Santa Fe Christian School (Solana Beach, CA).  

In 2006, Erickson helped start an international nonprofit that used soccer to help teach women and children around the world leadership and life skills. Through the foundation, she had the opportunity to travel to Northern Ireland, Thailand, Myanmar, Paraguay, Brazil and Nicaragua. These trips afforded her the experience of connecting with and playing against the national teams of most of these countries. Although the nonprofit no longer exists today, she remains passionate about teaching and developing female leaders through the game of soccer.

In addition to her soccer experiences, Erickson was a military spouse. Before her husband finished his active-duty commitment with the Air Force, they lived in Japan while he was stationed there, and she taught English classes for three years. She has also served in several board leadership roles for the Officer Spouses’ Club and as a Key Spouse during their time with the military. 

Erickson has coached the last two years with Vestavia Hills Soccer Club at the U9-U11 age groups. She completed her USSF D License in 2023 and is currently working on her USSF C License. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise and holds a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego (2010). 

Erickson currently lives in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, with her husband, Brad, and their two daughters, along with an Australian Shepherd, Annie. 

“This is my second All-Female Course. I also completed an All-Female D Course. I really appreciate the opportunity to participate in an All-Female Course. Having grown up playing and coaching in the male-dominated soccer world, it is refreshing and encouraging to collaborate, connect, and learn from women leaders and coaches in the game. It has helped me to build camaraderie with other female coaches, and it has motivated me to stay in the game being able to connect with other females around the country. It has also been valuable as a mom. It’s not an easy schedule to be a mom and a coach. It has been helpful to connect and share best practices with other women and moms who are coaches. The sponsored course is important because it’s truly keeping me in the game and growing as a person, leader, coach, and mom. Without the opportunity, I’m not sure I could have done this. It’s an amazing resource to develop women coaches, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a candidate in a sponsored All-Female C Course!”

Kelly Frasca began playing soccer in her hometown of Voorhees, New Jersey, where she still lives with her husband and three children. She was a four-year varsity soccer player at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, New Jersey, and was a member of the school’s first girls soccer state championship team in 2002. She then went on to play in college, starting her freshman year at Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University) before transferring and playing at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She graduated in 2008 with an Elementary/Special Education Degree, and she received her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership Management and Policy in 2012 at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

After graduating from La Salle University, Frasca found her love of teaching and coaching. She worked as a middle school special education teacher for eight years and coached the girls’ soccer team before taking time off to raise her children. Her coaching career has spanned over 18 years. During this time, she has coached and trained for multiple clubs in the South Jersey area. She continues to play in a summer adult women’s league, and she is currently helping train a U13 girls’ team for the Voorhees Soccer Association (VSA).  

Frasca says she is excited to be back coaching and training youth soccer as she feels this is where the love of the game begins and grows. She has dedicated the majority of her life to soccer, and she loves seeing the excitement and drive in young players as they learn the game.

“The WAGS All-Female C-License Course caught my attention at just the right time. I was at a crossroads in my coaching career, and the all-female course seemed to be pulling me in. I am so glad it did as I am enjoying getting to know other female coaches from across the country and hearing their experiences and philosophy on the game of soccer.”

Tracie Nall currently resides in Waldorf, Maryland, with her supportive husband and three children. Before relocating to Northern Virginia, she spent her childhood in Midlothian, Virginia. Her transition to Northern Virginia was marked by her love for track and soccer, which she pursued at McLean High School. Her passion for the sport continued through her college years at Hollins University and James Madison University, where she played soccer. Post-college, she explored coaching U12 and U16 soccer in Herndon, Virginia, and joined the Washington Area Women’s Soccer League (WAWSL) along with various Northern Virginia and co-ed leagues to further develop her skills.

Since childhood, Nall has been instilled with values of commitment, responsibility, and respect by her parents. Her mother’s mantra of “nothing ventured, nothing gained” continues to guide her daily life, both on and off the field.

A memorable moment for Nall as a parent was when her daughter expressed interest in playing soccer. Eager to support her daughter’s passion, she exposed her to the game, and three seasons later, her daughter continues to follow in her footsteps.

Nall remains dedicated and passionate to soccer, currently serving as a coach for the Southern Maryland Youth Organization and FC Charles 1658, where she mentors and develops many young female players.

“From the very first call, I knew I belonged in this course. It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by so many great coaches and women who are invested in not only their success, but the success of all candidates in the course. I feel heard and seen by the instructions and valued as a coach, no matter what I bring to the table. It’s a very safe environment where I feel free to ask questions and feel supported by instructors and other coaches. My “why” is to support young female athletes in their soccer journey. My soccer journey included all male coaches who were inspiring, but I could not relate to them as a woman. I am amazed and blessed to be amongst females who love the sport and want to coach. I am hopeful that WAGS will be an option for my daughter if she chooses to pursue coaching as well.”

Brittney Packard is a D License coach who is coaching high school JV girls soccer in Alexandria, Virginia. She established a love for the game early in her childhood when her mother helped establish the first all-girls soccer club, Carolina Girls Soccer Club, located in Charleston, South Carolina.  

Packard took her passion to the next level, by competing for the South Carolina State ODP team, then onto college at The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina where she played on its first women’s Division 1 soccer team. She played the outside half position and led the team in assists all four years. As a cadet-athlete, she was the second highest-ranked female and the 37th woman to graduate from The Citadel in 2005.

Packard is a military spouse who works full-time at Capital One as a data engineer and has two children. Her husband is stationed at the Pentagon, and they live in the Fort Hunt area of Alexandria, Virginia. 

Haleigh Svede is a DIII women’s soccer assistant coach, a youth soccer coach, and an advocate and supporter for girls and women in sports. 

She recently joined the Stevens Institute of Technology Women’s Soccer Staff after a two-year stint at Seton Hall University as the Director of Women’s Soccer Operations. Before Seton Hall, Svede was on the coaching staff at Felician University.

Svede was named to the United Soccer Coaches’ 30 Under 30 Class of 2021-22. She has spent time coaching at Manhattan Soccer Club, STA, and New York Girls ODP, and she is currently on the Cedar Stars Bergen coaching staff. Svede spends her summers as a master coach at Berkshire Soccer Academy in Otis, Massachusetts.

As a player, Svede was a four-year member of the Mercer University DI Women’s Soccer Program, appeared in over 3,500 minutes for the Bears across 63 games. 

Svede currently resides in Jersey City with her fiancé, turtle and two cats. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media Studies from Mercer University in 2017. Her love for soccer blossomed on the fields in Orangeburg, New York, while playing for World Class FC. She expresses an immense amount of gratitude towards her parents, Joe and Regina, her two sisters, Lizzie and Nicki, and fiancé Casey for the never-ending support throughout her playing and coaching journey.

Kaylyn Toyama is in her fourth season as assistant coach for Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She brings over nine years of coaching experience to her role, including club and high school, where she won a conference championship in 2023. At ART U, she acts as the program’s recruiting coordinator, assisting with team travel and player development. She cares deeply about the health and well-being of students and ensures they reach their athletic goals on the field. She enjoys fostering a supportive environment so players can see their full potential and inspire them to work hard toward their goals. 

While Toyama has been at Academy of Art, 61 Urban Knights have been named to the Academic All-PacWest Team. She has also coached at Peninsula Youth Soccer Club, where she serves as a college recruitment advisor and head coach for multiple premier teams. 

Prior to becoming a coach, Toyama played at San Francisco State and Cosumnes River College. After graduating from SF State in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Information Systems, she played in the WPSL for Tottenham Hotspurs.

“So far, I’ve enjoyed the All-Female C Course. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable colleagues from all backgrounds. Getting to meet new people out of my immediate environment and getting to see their different coaching perspectives has been a unique experience that I probably would not have gotten without WAGS sponsoring this course. I look forward to continuing to build connections through this course and pursing my coaching education.”

New Jersey Youth Soccer is excited to announce Logan Paul and KSI’s widely popular beverage, PRIME Hydration, as its Official Hydration Partner. Through this partnership, PRIME Hydration will provide its cutting-edge hydration products to support the diverse needs of athletes within NJYS membership and the youth soccer community.

“We are thrilled to partner with PRIME Hydration to further support the development and success of our athletes,” said Evan Dabby, Executive Director of New Jersey Youth Soccer. “PRIME is a leading hydration product that our membership can benefit from and enjoy.”

As part of this announcement, NJYS athletes will receive access to PRIME Hydration products at various NJYS events such as State Cup Finals and ODP (Olympic Development Program). PRIME Hydration hit shelves in early 2022 and is the brand’s healthy sports drink alternative. PRIME Hydration not only helps to fuel athletes, but it also aids in overall recovery. With zero added sugar, 10% coconut water, BCAAs, electrolytes, antioxidants and more, PRIME Hydration has quickly made itself a staple in the beverage brand market.

“We are excited to partner with New Jersey Youth Soccer to help support the hydration needs of their athletes,” said representatives from PRIME. “At PRIME, we are dedicated to providing athletes with the best possible hydration solutions to fuel their performance and recovery. By joining forces with NJYS, we can empower athletes at all levels to perform at their peak and achieve their goals.”

PRIME’s logo and branding will be featured on the NJYS website, social media and email newsletters. PRIME and NJ Youth Soccer will also collaborate on exclusive custom content and key media integrations. The partnership between NJ Youth Soccer and PRIME Hydration represents a shared commitment to advancing the well-being and success of athletes throughout the State of New Jersey. 

To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer 

About PRIME

Founded in 2022 by entrepreneurs and influencers, Logan Paul and KSI, PRIME is a global lifestyle beverage brand focused on providing better fuel for any endeavor. PRIME offers its highly coveted flagship product, PRIME Hydration, a healthier sports drink alternative with zero added sugar in both bottled and powdered form for on-the-go, as well as PRIME Energy, its caffeinated energy drink. PRIME products can be found at Target, GNC, The Vitamin Shoppe, Walmart and Kroger Family Stores nationwide as well as select retailers globally. For more information on PRIME and where it is sold, please visit https://drinkprime.com/pages/where-to-buy.

NJ Youth Soccer and Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) recently hosted the in-person week for an All-Female National C License Course, which consisted of two full days and two half-days of small group activities and individual field work. Coach candidates from 11 different states across the country are participating in this year’s course.

This National C License Course continues a strong collaboration between NJ Youth Soccer and WAGS in our goal to increase female participation in soccer throughout the State of New Jersey and beyond. The partnership further strengthens the impact of the NJYS Growing the Girls Game (G3) Initiative, which focuses on empowering females both on and off the field, and at all ages and stages of the soccer experience.

Please see below to learn more about the instructors from this course!

Heather Pedersen

Heather served as the Lead Instructor for the All-Female C Course that was hosted by NJ Youth Soccer and WAGS.

Heather is a former college soccer player who currently coaches with the ODP East Region 2009 Girls as well as with Virginia State/District ODP. A coaching educator since 2019, Heather holds a USSF ‘A’ License and National Youth License. She also works with the Virginia Youth Soccer State Staff and has served in various coaching and executive roles throughout her soccer career. Additionally, Heather currently coaches with Virginia Reign FC in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Caitlin Young – In Her Own Words

As I reflect back on some of the most influential things in my life, soccer reigns supreme. Soccer has made me a better wife, mother and member of the community. This has turned into my why. I have been fortunate enough to work full time in soccer for over 15 years.

Prior to going full time into soccer, I taught in the local high school and achieved a masters degree in High School Counseling. While working in the school, I was also coaching on the side and climbing the soccer ladder. By the age of 22, I had my A license. This achievement was able to propel me into a dream soccer job and allow me to exit the high school.

I began running a club at the young age of 22. While I was chalking up more failures than successes, I was able to learn everyday. As I figured out, slowly but surely, how to run a club, I was hired on by US Soccer in their coaching education and youth national scouting departments. During this time, I was able to win a National Championship with the team I was coaching. This success propelled me into a job with the Utah Royals in the NWSL.

Since the exit of the Utah Royals, I have been able to help grow the C License as a member of the content working great, scout for youth national teams and continue to run my club, Utah Celtic.

When I’m not on the field, I enjoy time snowboarding, running and boating with my husband and being a room mom in my 6 year old twin’s 1st grade class.

Breeana Cassidy, NJ Youth Soccer

Starting this fall, New Jersey Youth Soccer introduced its pilot Student Mentorship Program. The program has achieved great success over the past eight months, and students have expressed that they are gaining insightful knowledge on where they ultimately want to start their career in sports.

NJ Youth Soccer is now looking to accept college students into its Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Student Mentorship Program! Keep reading if you are interested in taking part.

The current students in the NJYS Student Mentorship Program have come from prestigious colleges such as Caldwell University, Immaculata University, Montclair State University, Ocean County College, Rider University and Tufts University. This new program initiative by NJ Youth Soccer is dedicated to using youth soccer as a vehicle for professional development and career opportunities. Further, this developing program is focused on educating college students on additional leadership and growth opportunities, on and off the field during webinars and in-person events.

The program featured speakers throughout the course of the year that included:

• Jen Maurillo, Chiefs Events Officer for Major League Soccer
• Shaun Oliver, Vice President of Operations for the New York Red Bulls
• John Terry Senior, Director of Events at U.S Soccer
• Donna Riollano, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Major League Soccer
• John Archibald, CEO of Resolutions Promotions
• Ellie Carlson, Marketing Coordinator at Gotham FC
• Rick Meana, Director of Coaching at New Jersey Youth Soccer

The core of the Student Mentorship Program is an umbrella of three NJYS Services:

The NJYS Student Mentorship Program provided participants with an opportunity to establish career-themed experience in NJ Youth Soccer events, such as NJYS State Cups (Fall and Spring), NJYS Awards Dinner Presented by RWJBarnabas Health and the NJYS Annual General Meeting. The program also focused on professional training and networking within key webinars, along with one-on-one mentoring throughout the duration of the program.

This year’s pilot program featured key monthly webinars with meaningful speakers in different topic areas. The webinars focused on providing students with insightful information regarding specific areas in different organizations across all levels.

Webinars included guest speakers such as Shaun Oliver, who is the Vice President of Operations for the New York Red Bulls. He spoke about the operations side of professional sports, giving students knowledge about the ins and outs of the operations within the Red Bulls organization. He also helped students grasp the realms of the day-to-day environment.

The next speaker was Rick Meana, who is the Director of Coaching at NJ Youth Soccer. He led the students through his coaching career path and let participants know what to expect from some of the coaching education courses offered by NJ Youth Soccer.

Current students in the program showed a strong interest in sports marketing, so John Archibald and Ellie Carlson were invited to weigh in on some of the marketing aspects and questions they had. John Archibald is the CEO of Resolutions Promotions, and Ellie Carlson is the Marketing Coordinator for Gotham FC. Both speakers alluded to very similar yet very different career paths that helped students learn the many sides of sports marketing. Students learned more about both the professional sports side of marketing as well as smaller organization sports marketing.

The students in the program are looking to step into their professional careers after completion of college, so Donna Riollano was invited to speak about recruiting on a webianr. Riollano is the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Major League Soccer. Within this webinar, the students focused their efforts on asking questions and seeking advice on how to land a position within the sports industry, along with what talent acquisition looks for in candidates.

The webinar series also spotlighted John Terry, Senior Director of Events from U.S Soccer, and Jen Maurillo, Chiefs Events Officer at Major League Soccer. The two executives spoke about the topic area of major sporting events. Both speakers weighed in on what it is like to put on a major event and what goes into the preparation for these events. They also referenced their notable careers and what they have experienced along the way.

In addition to these mentoring services, the NJYS Student Mentorship Program also provided scholarship opportunities and stipend travel to NJ Youth Soccer events for the student members in the program. This initiative also provides the opportunity of receiving free training for the students within the program (e.g. coaching education).

“I am very appreciative of the opportunity the Student Mentorship Program has given me to participate in and understand the amount of work that goes into various events hosted by NJYS, as well as connect with like-minded peers,” said Melanie Lockwood, a student who took part in the program.

NJ Youth Soccer is now looking to accept participants into its Student Mentorship Program for the upcoming fall! Students who are interested are encouraged to submit a Student Mentorship Application (please include a resume) or reach out with interest to breeana@njyouthsoccer.com.

About U.S. Soccer’s Innovate to Grow Fund
Recognizing the vital role that its member organizations play in the growth of soccer in the U.S., U.S. Soccer established the Innovate to Grow (ITG) Fund in 2017 to help U.S. Soccer member organizations launch new and innovative programs designed to grow participation in their markets, providing up to $3 million of funding total per year. Since its inception, ITG has granted over $9.8 million in funding through 145 awards to U.S. Soccer members across the country, as well as provide COVID-19 relief and recovery funds during 2020 and 2021. Learn more about U.S. Soccer’s members at https://www.ussoccer.com/organization-members.

Major League Soccer today announced partnerships with leading United States Youth Soccer (USYS) state associations Cal North Youth Soccer Association and New Jersey Youth Soccer with MLS GO, the youth recreational soccer program of MLS, to support access to, participation in, and the growth of soccer for children across the country.

Collectively, these associations service over 100,000 youth recreational soccer players and hundreds of clubs that have established recreation programs in their communities. Through these partnerships, organizations from both state associations can apply to be MLS GO league operators and receive access to MLS GO programming and resources, including MLS-branded MLS GO uniforms and benefits from their local MLS clubs, the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union for New Jersey and the San Jose Earthquakes for Cal North.

“Partnering with Cal North and New Jersey Youth Soccer Associations is a testament to the vision of both organizations and the top-tier resources MLS GO can provide,” said Kyle Albrecht, Vice President of MLS GO. “We look forward to continuing to grow the game at the grassroots level and increase participation and access to soccer through these partnerships and the implementations of the MLS GO PLAY FUND and MLS GO PLAYBOOK.”

Among the resources available to the state associations, as well as MLS GO league operators and individual MLS GO players, is the MLS GO PLAY FUND, an annual financial commitment from MLS to help offset seasonal costs such as equipment and facilities. The PLAY FUND will continue to ensure as many children as possible can participate in youth recreational soccer programs and advance MLS GO’s objective of removing economic barriers to play.

RCX Sports, the leader in creating accessible, inclusive youth sports experiences, will facilitate all applications for the MLS GO PLAY FUND via its philanthropic arm, the RCX Sports Foundation. MLS GO league operators can apply for support annually while individual MLS GO athletes will be able to apply prior to the start of each season. RCX also facilitates similar financial support programs for other professional sports leagues’ recreational programs.

“The MLS GO PLAY FUND is a continued commitment by Major League Soccer to do our part to ensure that any child that wants to play soccer can,” said Sola Winley, MLS Executive Vice President, Chief Engagement and Inclusion Officer. “Through this initiative, MLS GO leagues will now have the opportunity to include and introduce more players to their program and the sport by removing cost as a potential barrier to access.”

Additionally, MLS announced the launch of the MLS GO PLAYBOOK, a free-to-access coaching resource available via desktop on the MLS GO website. The PLAYBOOK is split into six age-specific, interactive manuals that give coaches a basic understanding of the physical, mental, technical, and tactical development of children between the ages of 4 and 14 and specific areas of focus for each age group. The MLS GO PLAYBOOK will be available on mobile through the TeamSnap app and in the MOJO app, with exclusive benefits for all MLS GO league operators. The curriculum includes hundreds of fun, age-appropriate training exercises and session-by-session practice plans for coaches and players between the ages of 4 and 14.

“We are excited to launch the MLS GO PLAYBOOK as a resource that increases access to youth soccer coaching materials and aids in MLS GO’s mission of improving participation in recreational soccer by players from all backgrounds and genders,” said Fred Lipka, MLS Vice President of Player and Youth Development. “The curriculum encourages steady development for both players and coaches while creating an enjoyable soccer experience.”

The MLS GO PLAYBOOK was developed by MLS in collaboration with NANOCOM, a leading European company in soccer content.

What They’re Saying

“NJ Youth Soccer is aligned with MLS GO’s mission and that is why this relationship is a priority,” said Evan Dabby, Executive Director of New Jersey Youth Soccer. “Both NJYS and MLS GO are eager to grow participation at the youth level in an inclusive and affordable manner. We look forward to working together to build our soccer community and cultivate a lifelong passion for the game.”

“Cal North is proud to partner with MLS GO to continue bringing inclusive and affordable youth recreational soccer to communities in Northern California,” said Marley Wilson, Cal North Executive Director. “We are excited to work with MLS and the San Jose Earthquakes to further develop community and passion through soccer at the grassroots level with MLS GO’s top-tier resources for players and coaches across all levels.”

“At RCX Sports, everything we do is dedicated to improving accessibility and inclusion to youth sports for athletes everywhere,” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “The MLS GO PLAY FUND breaks down barriers to entry for kids across the country who want to get involved with one of the world’s most popular sports, soccer, and RCX is proud to work with MLS through MLS GO to help create a new generation of youth soccer players.”

“Coaches are the backbone of any team, and at TeamSnap, we are committed to empowering them with the resources to feel confident and supported,” said Peter Frintzilas, CEO of TeamSnap. “We are thrilled to partner with MLS GO and Major League Soccer to make the MLS GO PLAYBOOK accessible to our millions of daily users, further revolutionizing coaching and player development.”

About Major League Soccer

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer – celebrating its 29th season in 2024 – features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.

About Cal North Youth Soccer Association

Cal North is the original youth soccer organization in Northern California, who has served generations of players, coaches, leagues, and clubs with storied histories since 1969. Cal North is a member of a much larger soccer community, and as a member, you are also a member of this world community. Players register to play with one of the more than 200 clubs or leagues formed by Cal North. Through affiliation, our leagues and clubs are also members of US Youth Soccer, US Soccer, and US Futsal. US Soccer, along with over 197 other national soccer organizations, are members of FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association. FIFA serves as the international governing body for soccer and US Soccer has been a member since 1913. Together, local, national and international organizations form a family of support for the young soccer players of Cal North.

About New Jersey Youth Soccer

New Jersey Youth Soccer, a 501(c) (3) organization affiliated with US Youth Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Federation, is comprised of more than 100,000 players from 5 to 19-years-old; 10,000+ coaches; and thousands of volunteers. Members collectively support the sport of soccer through training, practice, competition and the spirit of good sportsmanship. The association features recreational and travel soccer programs at multiple skill levels; Olympic Development Programs (ODP); tournaments including the National Championship Series; coach and referee training and certification programs; and TOPSoccer, a program for children with disabilities.

About RCX Sports

RCX Sports is the premier youth sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments, and events. Working directly with professional leagues, national governing bodies, and sports-centric businesses, such as MLS, NFL, Jr. NBA, MLB, NHL and NAIA, RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by creating opportunities for all athletes to play. For more information, visit rcxsports.com.

About RCX Sports Foundation

The RCX Sports Foundation works to develop, promote and implement diversity and inclusion in youth sports as the non-profit arm of RCX Sports. The foundation focuses on expanding youth sports opportunities so all children can experience athletics in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Sports for all.

About TeamSnap

TeamSnap is home to the largest online community for everything youth sports. It is consistently rated the No. 1 sports management platform by its loyal audience of more than 25 million youth sports coaches, administrators, players, and parents and over 19,000 sports organizations—across more than 100 different types of sports and activities. The leading sports-tech company offers consumer brands innovative new ways to connect with passionate youth sports audiences from across the globe. It is currently in high-growth mode, expanding its footprint toward becoming THE platform and marketplace for all things youth sports.

TeamSnap Impact is the company’s initiative aimed at enhancing the lives of kids by creating a world where youth sports programs are accessible and equitable for all.

Comeback Player Series Presented By JAG Physical Therapy

Christine Gloth, NJ Youth Soccer

New Jersey Youth Soccer believes adversity should be acknowledged and celebrated, which is why we have chosen to recognize Stella Kropfl of Wyckoff Torpedoes SC in our NJYS Comeback Player Spotlight Presented by JAG Physical Therapy. The Comeback Player Spotlight was created to honor individuals who have overcome adversity or injury to exceed expectations and return to the soccer field.

After not feeling like herself for months, Stella Kropfl was rushed to the hospital in May of 2023, where it was discovered that she was suffering from DKA (Diabetic Keto Acidosis), a life-threatening complication of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Stella had to spend four days in the hospital, two of them in the PICU, while doctors and nurses worked to get her DKA under control.

Three days after her hospital stay, Stella decided to play in her soccer game with the Torpedoes. She scored three incredible goals, not her first hat trick but certainly her most memorable one. That day, she showed her teammates, coaches and family that Type 1 Diabetes was not going to define her. Since that game, Stella has learned how to tackle T1D as an athlete and manage her lifestyle to accommodate the challenges that it brings to her every day. She has also become an advocate for T1D sufferers at the young age of 10, spearheading an effort to raise $2,500 for her local police department to have life saving supplies of glucose tablets and gels for other diabetes patients. The money has also gone towards informative classes on diabetes for her community. Further, Stella has helped raise nearly $10,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She has risen above the obstacle of Type 1 Diabetes and has become a role model for all children who may suffer from the disease. 

“I really appreciate this recognition, because it makes me feel like all of the extra steps I have to take with this disease are noticed and appreciated,” Stella remarked. “I hope one day to be a role model for newly diagnosed T1D athletes. When I first got diagnosed, I thought I was never going to be able to play well again. I quickly realized that by keeping my numbers under control and eating the right foods, I play at my best. I hope one day I can inspire others to follow their dreams and never give up.”

The perseverance and bravery shown by Stella Kropfl during her journey is a true inspiration for all, and it makes her incredibly worthy to be recognized in our NJYS Comeback Player Spotlight Presented by JAG Physical Therapy.  

To find out more information about New Jersey Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer 

What an incredible experience for our annual award winners, who were featured in a special ceremony this past weekend during a New York Red Bulls home match at Red Bull Arena! Sending out a huge thanks to the Red Bulls for creating such a special experience for our award winners.