Diversity: The variety of personal experiences that forms ones values and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.

Equity: The guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of marginalized groups.

Inclusion: The act of creating environments in which any individual or group can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. An inclusive climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions so that all people can fully participate and actively contribute.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council

As part of U.S. Soccer Federation's commitment to create an inclusive environment and foster a culture of acceptance and respect within the organization and sport, U.S. Soccer formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council in July 2020.

The DEI council, which consists of full-time employees from various departments across the organization, meets biweekly to direct the Federation’s DEI efforts. The council is focused on building an environment in which DEI practices become so ingrained in our culture that through our actions we foster and enable this vision to instinctively spread throughout the soccer ecosystem. The DEI Council’s charter includes:

• Guiding U.S. Soccer in establishing and implementing a DEI plan

• Providing ongoing oversight and knowledge to DEI efforts

• Holding the organization accountable by ensuring policies, practices and programs promote DEI as a core attribute in U.S. Soccer’s culture