ABOUT THE SUMMIT

July 24 - 27, 2025
Erie Sports Center, Erie, PA

The inaugural Youth Leaders Summit will bring together the next generation of leaders in the soccer for development sector. 100 young leaders (ages 16-20) are nominated by 12 of the top impact-driven soccer-based youth development organizations in the Northeast United States for the four-day summit and attend as a delegation.

The Summit will draw upon the excitement of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and help build a legacy from the event. The impact of the Summit will be felt by more and more children, youth, and communities each year, not just through the attendees and the organizations, but also through the social impact of the community projects undertaken by each team of young leaders. Participants will build their skill sets, knowledge, networks, and experience to help them grow into leaders in the field. The Summit will focus on four key themes:

  • Leadership Development

  • Changemakers through Sport

  • Youth Voice

  • College and Career Pathways

The Youth Leaders Summit is organized by a committee of community leaders representing the Soccer for Good sector. The Summit is not in any way organized or associated with FIFA or the US Soccer Federation. Common Goal USA serves as the fiduciary for the Youth Leaders Summit.

A group of people seated and attentively listening at an event.
Group of young people gathered around a table outdoors, involved in an activity or discussion, looking at papers.
Group of young people in sports attire sitting on a field, some wearing yellow vests, looking engaged and attentive.

VENUE

The Erie Sports Center is a state-of-the-art multi-sports complex offering ten soccer fields, including a fully-equipped indoor dome for year-round training and competition. The facility also provides accommodations for over 400 student-athletes, a private school, and a cafeteria, and will soon offer a top-of-the-range 14,000-square-foot sports medicine and performance pavilion.

 

Steering Committee

Andrew So, Chair
Executive Director, South Bronx United

Ziham Ascencio
Program Director, Street Soccer USA

Troy Bingham
Owner, Erie Sports Center

Mary Connor
Executive Director, Common Goal USA

JT Dorsey
Executive Director, JT Dorsey Foundation

Bailee Eaglin
Director of Community Development, New York City FC

Justin Forzano
Executive Director, Open Field International

Caroline Foscato
Executive Director, Soccer Unity Project

Jack Jacobs
Manager of Community Development, New York City FC

David Ricca
Advisor, Street Soccer USA; Founder, Vamos Venture Partners

John Riordan
Executive Director, America Scores New York

Andrea Rodgers
Executive Director, Starfinder Foundation

Darius Shirzadi
Executive Director, Project Goal!

Jennifer Tepper
Executive Director, Soccer Without Borders

Meredith Whitley
Professor, Adelphi University