Talent ID and Development

As part of the U.S. Way strategy, and in partnership with our members and clubs, U.S. Soccer is scaling how we identify and develop talent for our pre-professional / professional environments and our 27 National Teams.

Key to this effort, we launched the pilot Talent Reporters Program with ~100 volunteer participants. The program gives U.S. Soccer members the opportunity to actively contribute to identifying the next generation of elite players. Participants receive training to recognize high-potential youth talent, ages U-13 to U-20, and submit scouting reports directly to U.S. Soccer. This collaborative effort improves the timing, location, and methods used to discover talent across the country. By expanding our scouting network, this initiative helps diversify and strengthen the Youth National Team talent pipeline. It also serves as an entry point for individuals interested in joining U.S. Soccer’s official Youth National Team scouting pathway.

In addition to the pilot program, we are developing long-term strategy and operational plans in coordination with the pre-professional and professional working groups, focused on five core themes:

• Collaboration: Integrate members, colleges, and clubs into the Talent ID strategy.
• Shared Resources: Roll out the U.S. Way Platform to support talent identification and development (e.g., player profiles, key qualities, talent frameworks).
• Increased Opportunities: Scale the number and frequency of opportunities for players to participate in local and regional talent identification events and YNT programming.
• Dual / Multiple National Strategy: Scale and broaden our talent identification and engagement and educate players and families on the U.S. Way and FIFA eligibility rules to ensure athletes can make an informed decision in choosing to play for U.S. Soccer. 
• Unified Youth Calendar: Develop and maintain a coordinated youth domestic calendar that ensures players can participate in both their key club events and U.S. Soccer Talent ID camps.