South Dakota Youth Soccer Supports Historic Integration of US Youth Soccer and U.S. Soccer

South Dakota Youth Soccer Supports Historic Integration of US Youth Soccer and U.S. Soccer

State Associations helped shape the decision, and will play and even larger role in creating new opportunities to strengthen soccer in communities across the country

Sioux Falls, SD (Aug. 31, 2026) – On Saturday, South Dakota joined State Associations across the country in supporting a historic step to make US Youth Soccer (USYS) part of U.S. Soccer, bringing the organizations closer together to invest more in local soccer and create better experiences for players and families, creating greater alignment across the game and new opportunities to strengthen soccer locally. 

USYS State Associations voted to approve the change during their Annual General Meeting, which will begin a two-year integration process on September 1. The decision brings USYS’s decades of experience and reach across youth soccer closer together with U.S. Soccer’s resources and national scale. 

“This is a monumental move for soccer in South Dakota and across the country,” said Polly Dean, Executive Director of South Dakota Youth Soccer. “We have been working tirelessly alongside soccer professionals in every state because we believe we can accomplish more for the game by working collaboratively to support all of our youth players. 

Dale Weiler, SDYSA Technical Director and Dakota ODP Director added, “With the full weight and support of US Soccer behind us we are empowered to continue our work in making the highest standards of coach education and player development forefront in all we do.”  

“These shared goals between US Soccer and all 54 State Associations can only grow and improve as we continue the work,” Dean stated. “Some of the hardest work is just beginning, but SD has pulled a chair up to the table to begin the focus on solutions over obstacles. We are excited for all that this might mean for our Community Through Soccer here in South Dakota.”

What This Means for Soccer in South Dakota: 

The integration begins a two-year process in which State Associations will work closely with U.S. Soccer and USYS to help shape the future of soccer in communities around the country. The goal is to create a stronger and more connected soccer system that can: 

• Bring more resources and investment to soccer locally. 
• Strengthen State Associations and their ability to support and grow the game in their communities. 
• Create more opportunities for people to play and stay in the game. 
• Better support clubs, leagues, coaches and referees serving players every day. 
• Make soccer easier for families to understand and navigate. 
• Connect local communities more directly to U.S. Soccer and the resources, expertise and opportunities available nationally. 

The integration is part of U.S. Soccer’s broader Pathways Strategy, which brings together members and stakeholders from across American soccer to create a more connected future for the game. For South Dakota, that future starts locally building on the work already happening in our communities and creating the support, investment and opportunities to help soccer reach even more people across South Dakota.