CHICAGO (Thursday, September 4, 2003) – U.S. Soccer has announced that it will be conducting six of its popular coaching symposia in six markets across the United States this September and October during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Included will be Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Boston, Mass.; Portland, Ore.; and Los Angeles, Calif.

Along with the top competition in the women’s soccer world comes a whole new level of pressure, scrutiny, intensity and preparation because the stakes are so high. The objective of the symposia is to provide insight on the team’s pre-World Cup preparation and how the team conducts itself throughout this world-class tournament by providing access to the coaches themselves.

Two days prior to each game, U.S. Soccer’s National Staff Coaches plus a member or members of the U.S. Women’s National Team coaching staff will speak to a limited group of coaches on preparing for the World Cup and playing in major international tournaments. This first-hand viewpoint will provide valuable insight into the game at the highest level. In addition, there will be a segment on using video analysis in coaching.

Registration will be open to all coaches, with “A” License coaches attending the symposium earning one unit toward the renewal of their license. Registration is limited to 100 coaches at each symposium, with availability based on first-come basis. The cost is $75 for U.S. Soccer Coaches Organization members and $100 for non-members, with a registration deadline of three days prior to each symposium. Included with the symposium is a Gatorade/U.S. Soccer squeeze bottle, a U.S. Soccer WNT media guide and other items.

2003 U.S. Women’s National Team Coaching Symposium Schedule

Date: Host City - Time (local) - Location
Sept. 19: Washington, D.C. - 6 p.m. ET - Tyson’s Corner Marriot (Vienna, Va.)
Sept. 23: Philadelphia, Pa. - 6 p.m. ET - Radisson Plaza Warwick (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Sept. 26: Columbus, Ohio - 6 p.m. ET - Embassy Suites Hotel (Dublin, Ohio)
Sept. 29: Boston, Mass. - 5:30 p.m. ET - Holiday Inn Providence (Providence, R.I.)
Oct. 3: Portland, Ore. - 5:30 p.m. PT - Tiger Woods Center Nike Campus (Beaverton, Ore.)
Oct. 9: Los Angeles, Calif. - 5:30 p.m. PT - Long Beach Marriot (Long Beach, Calif.)

To register, download the registration form (.pdf).

For more information, contact Betsy Pollard in the U.S. Soccer Coaching department at (312) 528-1219 or e-mail coaches@ussoccer.org.