CHICAGO – In an attempt to educate and assist in the process of organized soccer returning to play across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Soccer Federation has created the U.S. Soccer PLAY ON campaign, it was announced Monday.

The program provides recommended guidelines and best practices for all soccer players, coaches, parents, administrators and referees.

“We are all excited about returning to playing, coaching and refereeing soccer,” U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer George Chiampas said in a statement. “During these uncertain times of COVID-19, we need to be smart about how we approach coming back to nsure we keep the health and safety of all involved as everyone’s main priority. The U.S. Soccer Federation has conducted extensive research, and in collaboration with experts inside and outside the organization, has assembled the U.S. Soccer PLAY ON
campaign. Our goal is to inform, educate and assist everyone involved with soccer in the process of returning to play.”

U.S. Soccer PLAY ON is divided into five phases, representing the different stages of progress required to achieve the ultimate goal of playing with no restrictions or recommendations related to COVID-19. While U.S. Soccer is providing the return to play information as recommendations, it is important that everyone follow rules and procedures put in place by local and state governments.

In this launch of the campaign, the information focuses on Phase 1 – which is Individual and Small Group Training – and includes a comprehensive Grassroots Soccer Recommendation Guide to help all those involved in youth soccer operate under key safety considerations, but also contains valuable information that can be applied to all levels of the game.

Along with providing those best practices in the detailed and in-depth guide, the PLAY ON initiative will include instructional videos, sample training exercises, infographics and other resource materials. As we progress into and beyond Phase 1, the campaign will continue to provide these materials for those in the soccer community. All the resources in the PLAY ON initiative can be found at ussoccer.com/playon.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.