On October 10, 2017, the United States Men’s National Team
failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was disappointing for
everyone…coaches, players, and fans. As concerning were reports of long term
decline in soccer player participation, particularly in the younger ages.
United Soccer Coaches was determined to use both those
issues as an opportunity.
Coaches from all levels of the game assembled at the 2018
United Soccer Coaches Convention for a one-day Summit. They were charged with
developing a framework of fundamental beliefs that coaches could collectively
support to build a positive soccer playing culture in America. The outcome of
months of work is the “Commitment to Culture”.
As soccer coaches, we are committed to creating a unique,
positive culture for our sport in America. We want to lead the effort to build
a soccer culture that celebrates what is best about our game and helps it
transcend from what happens on the field to what happens in the lives of our
players.
We ask that all soccer coaches embrace the Commitment to
Culture for soccer in America and actively manifest these seven cornerstones in
our players, our families, our competitions, our infrastructure and ourselves.
THE 7 CORNERSTONES
SOCCER UNITES US We embrace and celebrate our differences
because the game makes us one.
CHARACTER FIRST We honor, teach and develop the core values
of honesty, loyalty, responsibility, selflessness, compassion, and discipline.
THE RULE OF FUN Fun is the lens that can make every soccer
player a success. Fun takes many forms and always concludes with “I want to do
it again”.
THE GAME IS THE TEACHER We are all responsible to ensure
that soccer teaches the skills of a well-lived life. Teamwork, leadership, hard
work, communication, creativity are just the beginning of its lessons.
WELL-BEING COUNTS A safe, healthy, welcoming experience in
body, mind and spirit is the right of every soccer stakeholder.
WE ARE FAMILY-STRONG Family in all its forms—team, club,
community, relatives—is the greatest asset that soccer has. Take time to
connect and appreciate.
SOCCER IS THE PLAYER’S GAME Soccer is a personal
journey for every player. It is for the player to see, decide, create and win
or lose. It is their game.