Anti-Doping Policies

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is the National Governing Body of soccer that falls under the auspicious of the United States Olympic Committee and FIFA (Federation International de Football Association). Its mission is to govern the sport of soccer in the United States and prepare all teams for both national and international competitions such as the Olympics, World Cup, CONCACAF Championships and international friendlies and exchanges. USSF adopts the USOC Anti-Doping policies as part of its NGB status. Any questions related to this topic can be emailed to homalley@ussoccer.org

Click here for more information on Doping control and other agencies:

Concussion Guidelines

As the science of evaluating and managing concussions has advanced, key findings emphasize the need for education of players, their families, coaches, medical staffs and the public at large on the signs and symptoms of concussion. There is also a critical need for early identification and proper management of a concussion.

The goal of the U.S. Soccer Concussion Management Program is to provide state of the art education, evaluation and management of concussions among national teams players. The program includes pre-injury baseline testing with comprehensive post-injury follow-up evaluations and return to play protocols.

At the core of the program is a network of sports neuropsychologists who will serve as referral sources for post-injury evaluations and provide team medical staff with important information about a player's post-injury neurocognitive status.

Concussion Defined

Concussion is a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces. Several common features that incorporate

  • Concussion may be caused either by a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body with an "impulsive" force transmitted to the head.
  • Concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological function that resolves spontaneously.
  • Concussion may result in neuropathological changes, but the acute clinical symptoms largely reflect a functional disturbance rather than structural injury.
  • Concussion results in a graded set of clinical syndromes that may or may not involve loss of consciousness. Resolution of the clinical and cognitive symptoms typically follows a sequential course.
  • Concussion is typically associated with grossly normal structural neuroimaging studies.

US Soccer's National Teams Concussion Testing and Management Process

  • Baseline All Athletes During First National Team Camp
  • Review US Soccer National Teams Concussion Management and Protocol
  • Emergency Assessment and Stabilization of the Athlete
  • Evaluate Athlete on field
    • Immediately remove athlete from participation if concussion is suspected
  • Transport Athlete (if needed
    • Ambulance
    • Car
  • Contact Parents
  • Training Room Evaluation
    • US Soccer National Teams Concussion Modified SCAT2 Form – symptoms assessment should be completed by the athlete
  • Graded Return to Play – From US Soccer National Teams Concussion Management and Protocol
    • Step 1
  • ImPACT Concussion Post Injury Test (after symptom free for 24-48 hours)
  • Consult Neuropsychologist and Physician
  • If Neuropsych Evaluation is back to baseline
  • Graded Return to Play
    • Steps 2-4
  • Consult Physician
  • Graded Return to Play
    • Steps 5-7
  • Consult Physician
  • Return To Play
  • Daily Symptoms sheets should be done daily until the player reaches step 2 of the return to play guidelines

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General Medical Information for Athletes and Coaches

To continually bring you up to date information U.S. Soccer has a National Network of Doctors, Therapists and Specialists that contribute to our web page with articles that you may find helpful in the sport of soccer.

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