The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the federation is a full member of FIFA and governs American soccer at the international, professional, and amateur levels, including: the men's and women's national teams, Major League Soccer, youth organizations, beach soccer, futsal, Paralympic and deaf national teams. U.S. Soccer sanctions referees and soccer tournaments for most soccer leagues in the United States. The U.S. Soccer Federation also administers and operates the U.S. Open Cup and the SheBelieves Cup.
Bruce Arena is an American soccer coach who is currently the head coach and sporting director of the New England Revolution. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Arena has had a long and distinguished coaching career and is considered to be one of the most successful coaches in North American soccer history, having won five College Cup titles and five MLS Cup titles. He was the United States national team head coach at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, head coach of the New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, LA Galaxy, and the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, and coached Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer to several college soccer championships. He is the U.S. soccer team's longest-serving head coach.
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in men's international soccer competitions. The team is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and is a member of FIFA and CONCACAF.
The United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) represents the United States in international women's soccer. The team is the most successful in international women's soccer, winning four Women's World Cup titles, four Olympic gold medals, and eight CONCACAF Gold Cups. It medaled in every World Cup and Olympic tournament in women's soccer from 1991 to 2015, before being knocked out in the quarterfinal of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The team is governed by United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF.
John Andrew Harkes is an American soccer coach and former professional player who is the head coach of Greenville Triumph SC.
Kasey Christopher Keller is an American former soccer player who played professionally in Europe and the United States, as well as being the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. national team. He is a four-time FIFA World Cup participant and was the first American goalkeeper to become a regular in the German Bundesliga, the English Premier League, and the Spanish La Liga.
Marcelo Balboa is an American retired professional soccer who played as a defender in the 1990s for the United States national team, becoming its captain. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Carlos Manuel Bocanegra is an American sports executive and former professional soccer player. A two-time MLS Defender of the Year, Bocanegra also played professionally in England, Scotland, France, and Spain. He earned over 100 caps with the United States, serving as captain for six years. He is currently serving as technical director and vice president for Atlanta United.
Earnest Stewart is an American retired soccer player who was a midfielder for the United States national team from 1990s until his retirement in 2005. He is currently the sporting director of the United States Soccer Federation.
Steven Emil Cherundolo is an American soccer coach and former player who currently serves as head coach of Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. He was the captain of Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga, where he spent his entire club career. He represented the United States at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Mark Stephen Sampson is an American soccer coach currently serving as the head coach of the men's soccer program at Cal Poly. He is also the former head coach of both the United States men's national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
Martín Vásquez Gómez is a Mexican-American former professional soccer player. The first of only three players to have featured for both the United States and Mexico, he has served as a coach since retiring, most recently with the United States.
Hugo Ernesto Pérez Granados is a professional footballer and current manager of the El Salvador national team. Born in El Salvador, he represented the United States national team.
A sports rivalry exists between the national soccer teams of Mexico and the United States, widely considered the two major powers of CONCACAF. The first match was played in 1934, and the teams have met 73 times, with Mexico leading the overall series 36–16–22 (W–D–L). The U.S. holds the edge since 2000 though, with a 17–7–9 (W–D–L) advantage in the 21st century.
The history of the United States men's national soccer team began with that team's first international match in 1916. Highlights from the team's early history include reaching the semi-finals of the 1930 World Cup then FIFA recognized third place for the United States of America in 1986, and defeating England in a remarkable upset in the 1950 World Cup.
Sean Everet Johnson is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper and captains New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
Timothy Tarpeh Weah is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Lille and the United States national team.
Giovanni Alejandro Reyna is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the United States national team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2019".
On October 10, 2017, Trinidad and Tobago played against the United States at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva in what was the final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match for both teams. Trinidad and Tobago won the match 2–1 which resulted in the United States missing their first World Cup since 1986, as well as Trinidad and Tobago's first win over the United States since 2008, and their third win against them in international football.
