SPACE FOR ALL
CREATING SPACE FOR EVERY COACH
JOHN O’ ROURKE United Soccer Coaches Board Member, VP Of Events & Operations
There are moments each year when the soccer community gathers and you can feel, almost immediately, that something meaningful is happening. January 2026 in Philadelphia was one of those moments.
Though rumors abound regarding the continued existence of the association, I think it’ s fair to say that Philadelphia showed that the association is back and future conventions are safely in motion.
One of the most important themes of this year’ s convention was inclusion— not as a buzzword, but as an action. The intention to continue creating a space for all coaches and administrators— from long-time legacy members to the next generation entering the profession— was evident in every hallway conversation, classroom session and networking event.
For our legacy members, the convention remains a cornerstone. Many have attended 20, 30 even 40 conventions. They return not only for continuing education, but for community. They return because this is where they see the colleagues who helped shape their careers. They return because United Soccer Coaches is part of their professional identity.
At the same time, the next generation is arriving with fresh ideas, new tools and a different lens on leadership. Young coaches navigating social media, analytics, player wellness and modern communication styles are eager to learn— and equally eager to contribute.
The beauty of Philadelphia 2026 was the way those generations intersected. In sessions, you could see seasoned coaches asking thoughtful questions of emerging leaders. In the exhibit hall, exhibitors were there to support the administrators, new and old, navigate all areas of soccer operations. The exchange was reciprocal. Experience met innovation. Tradition met evolution.
That is not accidental. It is the mission in motion.
The United Soccer Coaches Convention has always been more than an event circled on a calendar. It is a reunion. It is a classroom. It is a marketplace of ideas. Most importantly, it is a space— intentionally created and carefully protected— for every coach and administrator who believes in the power of our game.
From the moment attendees entered the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the energy was unmistakable. Old friends embraced in the corridors. First-time attendees looked around with wide-eyed excitement. Veteran coaches who have been coming for decades walked side by side with young professionals attending their first national convention. That visual alone reflected the heart of our mission: to serve and support all coaches at every stage of their journey.
As an association, we often speak about legacy and growth in the same breath. Philadelphia was a living example of why that balance matters.
16 | Soccer Journal