UPSL President Nick Webster Addresses USASA Membership, Calls for New Era of Collaboration in American Amateur Soccer

Webster outlines vision for stronger UPSL-USASA relationship, expanded player pathways and greater opportunities across the amateur game.

UPSL President Nick Webster addressed members of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), delivering a message centered on collaboration, opportunity and a renewed commitment to the role of amateur soccer in the American game.

Speaking directly to the USASA membership, Webster acknowledged the complicated history between the organizations while making clear that he believes the relationship is entering a new chapter.

“Obviously the historical data of the UPSL and the USASA hasn’t been the best, but that’s going to change,” Webster told the membership. “That’s changing today.”

Webster pointed to new leadership and ownership within the UPSL as an opportunity to establish a different relationship with USASA and the broader adult soccer community. He also introduced UPSL Executive Vice President of Strategy Georgie Dolence as part of that leadership team.

A Commitment to the Amateur Cup

A central theme of Webster’s address was the USASA Amateur Cup and the importance of creating more opportunities for UPSL clubs to participate.

“This year finally we’re getting teams into the tournament and I want to bring more and more UPSL teams into the Amateur Cup,” Webster said.

Webster called for the organizations to work together on the soccer calendar so that more teams can participate in the competition while maintaining the integrity of existing league schedules.

He also highlighted the potential of the Amateur Cup to strengthen the broader American soccer pyramid and create additional opportunities for clubs and players to compete on a national stage.

Webster has personal experience with that pathway. In 2012, he coached Cal FC on a historic U.S. Open Cup run that reached the fourth round, where the team faced Seattle. Seven players from that Cal FC team subsequently went on to professional careers.

That experience, Webster said, demonstrates what can happen when amateur players are given the right platform and meaningful opportunities to compete.

Building Pathways From Amateur to Professional

Webster emphasized that amateur soccer should not be viewed simply as the final destination for players who do not reach the professional level.

Instead, he described the amateur game as a critical part of the player-development ecosystem — providing platforms that can range from recreational participation and fun all the way to elite competition.

He cited the recent rise of UPSL player Yan Diomande, who has gone on to a major international transfer, as an example of the potential that exists within the amateur game.

“There are players in your organizations, in the USASA, who are the next Yan Diomande,” Webster said. “They’re just waiting for that opportunity, and we need to give them that opportunity.”

Webster also pointed to the growing opportunities for women’s players, citing Crystal Gonzalez, who plays for Watford Ladies and was recently called into her national team.

His message was clear: the amateur soccer community is filled with players and coaches capable of reaching the next level when appropriate pathways are created.

Expanding the Game

Webster also challenged the USASA membership to think beyond traditional league structures.

He highlighted futsal and 7v7 soccer as areas where the UPSL intends to continue building, while encouraging USASA organizations to participate in the growth of these formats.

“We want to have these platforms that go from fun to elite,” Webster said.

The goal, he explained, is to create opportunities for more people to enter the sport, stay involved and potentially progress through different levels of competition.

For Webster, that broader participation is essential to the future of American soccer.

The Opportunity in Front of American Soccer

Webster also addressed the enormous commercial and cultural opportunity surrounding amateur soccer.

Following his participation at Soccerex in Miami, he said the amateur game was one of the most frequently discussed subjects among soccer industry leaders and businesses.

“There is so much business opportunity that we have,” Webster said. “We talk about sponsorships. There were sponsors there, and they’re dying to give us money, but we have to go there and we have to tell the story.”

For Webster, that story begins with the millions of people who already play, coach, volunteer and support amateur soccer across the country.

He closed his address by reflecting on the growth of the sport during the World Cup and the thousands of new fans who were experiencing the game for the first time.

His message was that the amateur soccer community has a responsibility — and an enormous opportunity — to welcome those new fans into the sport.

“If we can bring them into our family, this sport is going to blow every other sport away,” Webster said. “And it starts right here in this room, and it starts with us all working together.”

A New Chapter

Webster’s address represented an important moment in the UPSL’s ongoing engagement with USASA and its member organizations.

Rather than viewing the amateur soccer landscape as a collection of competing entities, Webster called for greater alignment around a common objective: creating more opportunities for people to play, more pathways for players and coaches to advance, and a stronger foundation for the future of American soccer.

The UPSL looks forward to working with USASA, its leadership and its member organizations to build those opportunities together.