YOUTH SOCCER MONTH 2005 Recap

About Youth Soccer Month Recognizing the impact and importance the sport of soccer, the number one youth sport in the U.S., plays in the day-to-day lives of America’s families, US Youth Soccer coordinated the third annual “Youth Soccer Month” in September 2005.

Throughout Youth Soccer Month, a series of messages and themes were communicated to illustrate “Celebrating Soccer in America.” Each week focused on a different message: Fitness: the health and benefits of playing soccer Friendship: the relationships and fun generated through soccer that extend beyond the field Family: playing soccer ties families together Fun: regardless of the level, involvement in soccer is easy and affordable Youth Soccer Month Messages

Executive Summary Presidential Letter of Celebration 22 - State Proclamations 84 - Events during September –12 - Major League Soccer Events –30 - Colleges with 58 Youth Soccer Month Nights –16 - State Clinics Over 200,000 spectators attended Youth Soccer Month Events Over 15,000 visits to YouthSoccerMonth.org Fox Soccer Channel

2005 Marketing Platform MLS Event College Events Website Sweepstakes & Premiums State Clinics National PR Platform

2003 – 2005 Event Comparison Over 200,000 spectators attended Youth Soccer Month events in Number of Events per Category

Proclamations Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Louisiana Michigan Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Ohio City Proclamation Chicago, Illinois President George Bush’s Letter of Celebration 22 – States & 1 City Proclaimed September Youth Soccer Month Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island Utah Washington Wisconsin State Proclamations

Proclamations

With the grassroots theme of Youth Soccer Month, the college events are vital to providing young players an opportunity to dream 30 Schools participated in 58 events Schools distributed Youth Soccer Month premiums Winners were given Youth Soccer Month prize packs PA announcements during the course of the match Over 60,000 fans enjoyed Youth Soccer Month events in 2005 In 2003, five schools participated with 1200 fans supporting the events College Program

Boston College Bowling Green State University Drexel University Indiana University Monmouth University Ohio State University Saint Louis University SMU Syracuse University Texas Tech University University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Hartford University of Maryland University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Memphis University of Michigan University of Nebraska at Omaha University of North Texas University of Pennsylvania University of Portland University of Rhode Island University of South Carolina University of Toledo University of Utah Villanova University West Virginia University Yale University College Participation

Major League Soccer Nine Major League soccer teams participated in 12 celebratory events with over 100,000 spectators enjoying Youth Soccer Month promotions during selected games. Colorado Rapids –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick Columbus Crew –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items DC United –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick FC Dallas –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items Kansas City Wizards (2) –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick MetroStars (2) –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items New England Revolution –Handed out Youth Soccer Month Premium items Real Salt Lake –Handed out Youth Soccer Month premium items and hosted the Youth Soccer Month $10,000 Kick San Jose Earthquakes (2) –Handed out Youth Soccer Month Premium items

State Association Clinics Eight state associations held 15 free clinics in September to provide additional opportunities for members to increase their skills while gaining exposure for Youth Soccer Month Eastern PA Idaho Youth Soccer Association Indiana Youth Soccer Association Missouri Youth Soccer Association New Jersey Youth Soccer New Mexico Youth Soccer United States Youth Soccer Nevada Utah Youth Soccer

Sweepstakes/Premiums WebDecoder Card Promotion –25,000 Cards were distributed –Grand Prize Trip for four to the 2005 MLS Cup in Frisco, Texas Premiums/Gift Packs –adidas Backpacks –Youth Soccer Month T-Shirts –Youth Soccer Month Stickers –Youth Soccer Month Calendars –Mini Stress balls –Youth Soccer Month Rally Towels –US Youth Soccer Wristbands

YouthSoccerMonth.org Youthsoccermonth.org allows families and communities alike see the latest news and happenings regarding Youth Soccer Month Updated Youth Soccer Month Website New Links included schedule of events Up-to-Date Proclamation Listing Youth Soccer Month Focused Articles 3,000 Total Visits in September 2003 Over 15,000 unique visits between August 15 and October 1, 2005 A recent Google.com search resulted in over 18,000 references to Youth Soccer Month

National Media/PR Several unique media activations were used during Youth Soccer Month Public Service Announcement with MLS Players –PSA picked up by local news stations in 18 markets with household viewership more than 1.5 million –PSA shown at : Major League Soccer Nights Fox Sports World/en Espańol (Fox Soccer Channel)

Getting Involved Contact your Mayor/Governor Use your media resources Reach out to your community Present special awards Work with the schools in your community Engage your sponsors Reach out to college and professional teams in your community Reach out to other organizations Submit an event to the Master Calendar on YouthSoccerMonth.org Submit a story or other information for presentation on YouthSoccerMonth.org Use the official Youth Soccer Month logo on EVERYTHING!

2006 Initiatives Service and support the State Associations with their plans and initiatives Continue to work with Colleges and MLS teams Continue Sweepstakes program Continue to utilize YouthSoccerMonth.org Increase visibility and exposure on a national level