Atlanta, GA (October 5, 2026) — Nominations are now being accepted for the 2027 U.S. Soccer Annual Awards. The prestigious honors include the Werner Fricker Builder Award, the Carla Overbeck Leadership Award, the Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award and the Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award. Recipients of the awards will be celebrated at the Awards Dinner held at the U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 13 at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center.
WERNER FRICKER BUILDER AWARD
The Werner Fricker Builder Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the United States Soccer Federation. The award is named after the late U.S. Soccer President Werner J. Fricker, Sr., who was President of U.S. Soccer from 1984 to 1990 and widely credited for his role in bringing the 1994 FIFA World Cup to the United States. For more about the award, including past recipients and its namesake, read here.
Nominations for the Werner Fricker Builder Award can be submitted HERE and all nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on October 16, 2026.
CARLA OVERBECK LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Carla Overbeck Leadership Award is given to an individual who exemplifies outstanding leadership on and off the field. The award is named after former U.S. Women's National Team captain Carla Overbeck, who led the team to the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. For more about the award and its namesake, read here.
Nominations for the Carla Overbeck Leadership Award can be submitted HERE and all nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on October 16, 2026.
FERNANDO G. ALVAREZ REFEREE CHAMPION AWARD
The Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award, presented in partnership with Official Sports International, is given to an individual or group who exemplifies unwavering, selfless, positive support of the referee community and referee development in the U.S. The award is named after former FIFA Centennial Order of Merit recipient Fernando G. Alvarez who, using his international influence, experience, and persistence, was instrumental in opening the doors for success on the world stage for many of our top FIFA Referees, including National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Esse Baharmast and FIFA Referee Brian Hall, while also promoting refereeing locally. Fernando G. Alvarez served the U.S. Soccer Referee Program in many capacities, including mentor, assessor, and U.S. Soccer Referee Committee member.
Nominations for the Fernando G. Alvarez Referee Champion Award can be submitted HERE and all nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on October 16, 2026.
KIM CRABBE GAME CHANGERS AWARD
The Kim Crabbe Game Changers Award honors individuals who are leading the charge to make soccer -- and the communities it touches -- more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming for all. Named in tribute to trailblazer Kim Crabbe, the first Black woman to play for the U.S. Women's National Team, this annual award celebrates those who not only embody U.S. Soccer's mission to make soccer, in all its forms, the preeminent sport in the United States, but also who drive system change that uplifts and empowers the communities they serve. This award recognizes leaders whose voices spark transformation, whose actions build belonging, and whose sustained efforts move the game -- and society -- forward.
Nominations for the Kim Crabbe Gamechangers Award can be submitted HERE and all nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on October 16, 2026.
WERNER FRICKER BUILDER AWARD RECIPIENTS
2002 Werner Fricker, Sr.
2003 Sunil Gulati
2005 Gerhard Mengel
2006 Sal Rapaglia
2007 Francisco Marcos
2008 Bob Gansler
2009 Alan Rothenberg
2010 Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia
2011 Kevin Payne
2012 Hank Steinbrecher
2014 Richard Groff
2015 Bruce Arena
2016 Anson Dorrance
2017 Mary Harvey
2018 Tony DiCicco
2019 April Heinrichs
2020 Esse Baharmast
2022 Don Garber
2024 Burton Haimes
2025 Phil Anschutz
2026 Alec Papadakis
CARLA OVERBECK LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023 Lesle Gallimore
2024 Joslynn Bigelow
2025 Tony Sanneh
2026 C.J. Brown
FERNANDO G. ALVAREZ REFEREE CHAMPION AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025 Don Wilbur
2026 Jim McVay
KIM CRABBE GAME CHANGERS AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023 Janeicia Neely
2024 Esmeralda Negron
2025 JT Dorsey
2026 Gina Castañeda