2020 AGM: Registration to Open this Month
Hard to believe it, but it’s time to start thinking about the 2020 AGM already! As a quick reminder, we’ll be in Nashville next Feb. 13-16 at the Omni Nashville. While we’ll still have some familiar plans for this year, such as the Friday Night Welcome Event and the National Council Meeting on Saturday morning, we’re also working on a few upgrades to your AGM experience.
The first of those is the registration process. In the next week, Presidents and/or Executive Directors will receive access keys to register delegates for next year’s AGM. While this is not a new process, we will open registration for only Delegates and Alternates for the first two weeks before we open it up to Guests. Our hope is that this will allow members to have priority access to the hotel room block before anyone else.
The second item is that we will have a new credentialing process; we plan to add member photos to the credentials. This will allow us to only check your ID once, at check-in; after that we won’t have to ask for it for the rest of the weekend. We’re still working through some processes as to how we can collect member ID photos and will let you know when and how you can submit them. We’re hopeful this extra work on our part before the AGM will allow you all to endure less hassle when you get to Nashville.
Beyond that, we’re updating theAGM website. Also be on the lookout for an email confirming the day registration opens. If you have any questions about the AGM, please be sure toreach outto our AGM staff.
Referee Program
Learning Center Updates
In early July, various State Referee Administrators raised some questions and concerns about the existingTerms and Conditionsand theLiability Waiverthat course participants are required to acknowledge in order to register for a course. These requirements have been in place for the past four-and-a-half years in the Digital Coaching Center and were ported over upon the platform update to the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. The questions helped lead an internal review, under the guidance of U.S. Soccer’s Legal Department, and resulted in updated language for bothTerms of Use(formallyTerms and Conditions) andLiability Waiver.Course Policiesremains unchanged.
Waivers have been a standard practice of athletic participation which includes events and programs falling under U.S. Soccer's umbrella. The liability waiver is based on customary waivers used in the insurance industry. We would encourage all states to review their practice of getting waivers from referees with their insurance providers and/or legal counsel. Any additional questions can be directed to the Legal Department and/or the Referee Department.
Member Presentations
Programmatic updates were recently presented at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship in Kansas City. This information highlights the ongoing work of U.S. Soccer and the SRC’s. For members that were not in attendance, additional webinars will be hosted on Aug. 21 at 10 AM and 3 PM CST, or you can access the deckhere.
Webinar 1 (10 AM CST):https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8996413446476972557
Webinar 2 (3 PM CST):https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6733476679514033421
Communication
The Referee Department continues to focus on improved and increased communication over this time of transition. Over the past few months, the department has organized weekly SRC emails, 16+ group webinars and 80+ individual training webinars/calls. Members can contact Dan Russell ([email protected]) with any specific questions about referee operations. General help inquiries can be directed to[email protected].
2019 Innovate to Grow Application Window Set
We are pleased to launch the 2019 application cycle for the Innovate to Grow program, which will beMonday, September 9thto Tuesday, October 15th.
We will host an introductory webinar on Thursday, Aug. 29to review the application process, grant award timeline, and provide tips for your organization to apply. Details will be sent to all eligible organization members in the next week, but if you have any questions before then,please contact us.
2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final Set for August 27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Atlanta United FC reached the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final with a 2-0 road win against rival Orlando City SC on August 6, guaranteeing it will host the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Eric Remedi scored what turned out to be the game-winner late in the first half before Emerson Hyndman notched a late insurance goal to put the Georgia club one win away from claiming U.S. Soccer’s National Championship.
The next night, Minnesota United FC advanced with a 2-1 home victory against the Portland Timbers. Darwin Quintero’s 21st minute penalty kick gave the home side the lead before 20-year-old Mason Toye put home the winner in the 64th minute to send the club to its first tournament final.
The Final will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 27 with a 15-minute pre-game show beginning the broadcast at 7:45 p.m. on ESPN+. You can see the full bracket and catch up on all the action here.