Most Americans remember 1974 as the year President Richard M. Nixon resigned from the White House amid the Watergate Scandal. Today 1974 represents the beginning of a vision that has grown to establish the largest youth sports organization in the United States.

The insight of Karl Grosch, Don Greer and Robert Nessler would change the face of youth soccer - not to mention youth sports. It was the spring of '74; these men spent three days of non-stop labor to pen the initial United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations by hand. Although it was considered revolutionary at the time, the goal was to unite the worlds of youth soccer in the United States through a democratic structure to provide uniform rules and guidelines. These guidelines would facilitate intra-state, inter-state and international play. US Youth Soccer would also provide a structured appeals process, and its marketing and licensing programs would help US Youth Soccer hold down player costs while providing revenue for increased services.
 

After many drafts, with the help of State Associations, the documents were submitted to the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for consideration. The 58th Annual USSF Council accepted and adopted the proposed documents at their 1974 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New York City and thus officially formed and recognized US Youth Soccer as an affiliated, self-governing body for youth soccer in the United States.

The vision laid the groundwork for the various youth soccer organizations to join and bring the youth soccer community together and better the game, US Youth Soccer has grown into the largest youth sports organization in the United States. Starting with 100,000 registered players in 1974, today the organization has grown to 3.2 million registered players and over 800,000 coaches and volunteers.

From the first US Youth Soccer AGM, US Youth Soccer has developed programs and initiatives to set it apart from other soccer organizations and youth sport groups. With programs for underserved areas (US Youth Soccer's Soccer Start), athletes with physical disabilities (US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer - "The Outreach Program of Soccer"), recreational players (Tide American Cup), competitive athletes (The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series), elite athletes (US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program) and youth soccer educators (Coaches Connection) - US Youth Soccer is the choice of America's youth soccer athlete, coach, referee and administrator. US Youth Soccer has also established programs to recognize coaches (US Youth Soccer adidas Regional Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year), youth referees (Young Referee of the Year), volunteers for TOPSoccer (Buddy of the Year), outstanding athletes (adidas All-Star Teams), and excellence on the field of play (adidas Golden Glove and adidas Golden Boot awards). US Youth Soccer looks to build all ages and levels of the Game for All Kids