Website: www.azarsenalsc.org

Staff Involved:

David Belfort- Executive/ Technical Director

Jake Zimmerman- Director of Operations

Ty Iannone- Pre Pro General Manager

Gretchen Thompson- Past President

Hillary Jarrow- Current President

Adam Burke- Boys Director of Coaching

Lindsey Johnson- Girls Director of Coaching

Entry: Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club is a 501c3 non profit organization located in the east valley of Arizona. Membership includes residents of Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and other outlying cities. Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club also has a branch in Northern Arizona servicing residents of Verde valley, Cottonwood, Cornville, and Oak Creek. The club services male and female u7-u19 players of all levels with over 1200 players forming over 85 teams. The club proudly competes in Elite Clubs National League on both the Boys and Girls side. Over the past 2 years the club fielded pre professional teams in the USL 2, WPSL, and UPSL. The club also operates a TOPSoccer Program servicing athletes with special needs.

Website: Click here

Staff Involved:

Christian Pulisic - PUMA Ambassador and U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team Player

Kellie Ambrose-McGrath – Marketing Senior Director, PUMA

Joshua Koerner – Marketing Manager, PUMA

Melissa Garbayo – Senior Director, Marketing Communications, PUMA

Elaina Cipriano – Manager, Public Relations & Marketing Communications, PUMA

Allison Hall – Marketing Manager, PUMA

Matthew Moore, Managing Director, Centre Circle Consulting Limited

Jonathan Cantwell – Managing Director, C11 Marketing

Jorge Vizcaino – Partner & Founder SOCTAINER

Entry: Shortly after signing with global sports company PUMA in 2021, brand ambassador and U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team player Christian Pulisic wanted to collaborate with the brand to create a program that would inspire the next generation of players and help grow the game of soccer in the United States. The PUMA x Christian Pulisic Legacy Program launched in the summer of 2023 with the goal of providing underserved youth access to the sport of soccer. A highlight of the program is the Pulisic Stomping Grounds powered by PUMA, a new SOCTAINER soccer facility that opened in Miami with additional facilities opening across the U.S. leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Miami Pulisic Stomping Grounds provides underserved local youth access to a safe and high-quality space and fosters well-being and inclusivity. The program also prioritizes mentoring and nurturing the kids’ personal growth through teamwork, leadership, and essential life skills.

As part of the long-term goal with this program, together with The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation, PUMA and Pulisic pledge to donate a minimum of 60,000 soccer balls by the 2026 FIFA World Cup to enable underserved youth to have access to play soccer.

Website: www.newyorkredbulls.com/youth

Staff Involved:

Dave Jervis, Senior Director, Youth Programs and Academy Business Operations, New York Red Bulls

Joe Stetson, Chief Commercial Officer, New York Red Bulls

Entry: The New York Red Bulls Youth Programs is recognized as the nation’s leading youth development program, serving 40,000 players annually in over 125 communities through New York and New Jersey. The multilayered program provides a professional training environment for youth players and caters for children of all ages and abilities.

RBYP have developed over 30 players playing professionally at home and abroad. The most prominent RBYP graduate is Tyler Adams, who began his journey with Red Bull as a ten-year old spotted in a community camp near his home town, Poughkeepsie. He went on to represent Red Bull at every level, including RDS, Academy Affiliate, Academy, RB2, and the first team, ultimately going on to become captain of the US Men’s National Team.

Website: www.orangecountysoccer.com/

Staff Involved:

Daniel Rutstein, President of Business Relations, Orange County Soccer Club

Oliver Wyss, President of Soccer Operations and General Manager, Orange County Soccer Club

Entry: Orange County Soccer Club has set the benchmark for American success in recent seasons, with record-breaking transfer fees for teenage prospects and groundbreaking technical partnerships with Feyenoord and Glasgow Rangers.

These achievements all emanate from the club’s key focus: youth soccer development and the provision of a clear professional pathway for America’s best young talent.

OCSC has pioneered the model of creating opportunities for young players to move directly to Europe, breaking the mold of traditional college or MLS routes.

In August 2023, 19-year-old striker Korede Osundina moved to Dutch Champions Feyenoord. The following month, reigning USL Championship Golden Boot Milan Iloski moved to Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjaelland.

OCSC’s youth development has been recognized with multiple call-ups to US Soccer Youth Teams: Kobi Henry played with the U17, U19 and U20 teams while representing OCSC, Osundina has captained the U19 team, and highly coveted forward Bryce Jamison represented the U17s in the recent Ježek Cup.

The program’s robust pathway is also attracting players from MLS Academies, most recently with Atlanta Utd’s MLS NEXT Cup-winning U16 star Benjamin Barjolo accepting his first professional contract with OCSC.

Website: www.revolutionsoccer.net

Staff Involved: This nomination was submitted by New England Revolution Communications staff members Adam Klionsky and Merisa Boyd. The New England Revolution's development program is led by Technical Director Curt Onalfo along with Revolution II Head Coach Clint Peay and Director of Youth Development Rob Becerra.

Entry: Following a triumphant 2022-23 season punctuated by continued on-field success, notable player development throughout the pro pathway, and rampant expansion both on and off the field, the New England Revolution Academy has once again firmly established itself as one of the country’s elite youth academies. As the region’s most professional training environment and respected proving ground for future professional talent, attracting top players from within the six states and nationally, the Revolution Academy has provided a productive pipeline to New England’s historic MLS club.

The 2023 MLS roster featured five Homegrown Players including three teenagers, with three more Academy graduates between ages 15 and 18 set to join the MLS squad in 2024, including the youngest professional signing in club history, U.S. youth international Peyton Miller, who was just the second-youngest player named to the Americans’ FIFA U-17 World Cup roster.

All those homespun products, and many more, have benefited from an accelerated growth timeline made possible by the bridge provided by Revolution II, which has provided 29 Revolution Academy products with their professional soccer debuts since its inaugural season in 2020.