TODAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFERENT. BUT YOU CAN STILL MAKE IT SPECIAL.
Just a few months ago, we were looking forward to a thrilling summer. The U.S. Women’s National Team had flawlessly qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics. A group of young, motivated players from our U-23 Men’s National Team had just arrived in Guadalajara, Mexico for their Olympic qualifying tournament (which would shortly be postponed).
TODAY, MILLIONS OF FANS AROUND THE WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN WITNESSING THE OPENING CEREMONIES IN TOKYO, JAPAN. LIKE YOU, I AM MISSING THE PRIDE, CELEBRATION AND EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS THAT INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BRING.
I still remember the heart-stopping excitement of my first Olympics.
I had just turned 18 years old – the youngest player on head coach Tony DiCicco’s squad. Just two years before, I had actually made the decision to skip my senior year of high school and head straight to the University of North Carolina so I could train and compete to make the ‘96 Olympic team.
I don’t know why I even felt like I had a chance. It’s crazy to me now – I had never been part of the senior team before.
But there I was, surrounded by teammates whose posters I still had up on my wall at my childhood home and competing in the first Olympic women’s soccer tournament. I was a kid in a candy store, taking pictures of everything and soaking in every moment. And I will never forget standing on that podium with my teammates after we won gold.
NOW, AS PRESIDENT OF U.S. SOCCER, I SEE PASSION AND AN UNWAVERING DRIVE ACROSS THE ENTIRE SOCCER COMMUNITY THAT INSPIRES ME TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME OUR TEAMS STAND ON THE PODIUM.
This moment will not come easily. Building championship teams takes hard work, resources, and a network of support, including innovative high-performance programming, expert coaches, and meticulous logistics.
Those dreams are cultivated even earlier. An inspirational coach. A loving parent. A perceptive scout. A quality referee. A dedicated club administrator. The “team behind the team” at every level is critical to its success.
During the next few weeks, during what would have been the 2020 Summer Olympics, U.S. Soccer leaders will be celebrating our favorite games memories, sharing preparations for next summer, and highlighting the critical support that makes Olympic dreams possible.
I hope you’ll consider being part of these efforts by making a gift to the U.S. Soccer Development Fund. Even a small gift of $11 – representing a dollar for each player in a starting line-up – will help fund vital programs to develop the next generation of world-class players, coaches and National Teams that inspire us all.
While we aren’t celebrating the Opening Ceremonies, what we do today can make a difference. Your donation now will mean more than ever as we face a difficult year with unforeseen challenges and financial strain brought on by COVID-19.
Donate now to join the “team behind the team” and be part of exciting moments ahead. Together, we can support the beautiful game and more crazy golden dreams like mine.
Sincerely,
Cindy Parlow Cone
President, U.S. Soccer Federation
