Unpacking the 2024 United Soccer Coaches Convention and NWSL Draft

Every year we do a recap of the United Soccer Coaches Convention. And every year, it just proves to us more and more that the game, especially the women’s game, is growing. This year’s convention, along with the NWSL Draft, took place in sunny Anaheim in Southern California–the perfect backdrop after such an impressive year for the Socal team’s Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC, plus the NWSL as a whole. 

This was the first year that most of the team at Girls Soccer Network was able to attend, making it an unforgettable experience. We loved being able to share what we do with everyone at the convention, and did we! Here’s a recap of our amazing experience at the 2024 United Soccer Coaches Convention and NWSL Draft. 

It’s important to understand that the heart and soul of the United Soccer Coaches Convention is about education. This is what anchors the event and what gives it an outstanding reputation in the community. All over the convention hall, from morning until evening, there are classes going on for coaches who want to improve their skills. These classes and presentations are all geared toward elevating the state of soccer in the U.S. 

That said, there are many more features to the convention because, over the years, it’s grown and now reflects not just coaches but the broader soccer community. 

Media Row 

There was Media Row, where the Girls Soccer Network home base always resides. It was great to see so many soccer podcasters, from Alexi Lalas to Female Footballers to Sirius XM. The game of soccer in this country has people talking, for sure. 

This year we were able to record a whopping 15 podcasts! Rohtas Wadera, a lead sports writer at GSN and host of our Give N’ Go podcast, was on fire with a slew of incredible guests, including All-Americans Lily Reale, Lexi Missimo, and Eva Gaetino, Angel City co-founder and president Julie Uhrman, Angel City player Madison Hammond, president of the USL, Amanda Vandervort, referee and sports analyst Christina Unkel, and many more. His lineup was something special this year, and some of that is a testament to how much GSN has evolved and become part of the fabric of the women’s soccer community.

Exhibition Hall

There was the Exhibition Hall, where soccer brands of all kinds set up to showcase their soccer-related products. It’s pretty incredible to witness all in one space and how much business is done over the three-day event.  

The Exhibition Hall was bustling with interactive booths and people to chat it up with. There were companies from all across the world, and it was just another reminder of how global this game truly is. We got to talk with the awesome IDA Sports team, the owner of Pugg goals, Ultrain, and many more. 

Girls Soccer Network’s Presentation

This was the second year that Sam Cary and GSN Founder and CEO, Jen Gruskoff, presented at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. Their topic was “Girls Soccer: A Real Conversation on Navigating and Maximizing Social Media’s Impact on the Game.”

Given GSN’s popularity on social media, they wanted to share with coaches the best way they could grow their teams and clubs’ experiences using various social platforms. The presentation had a good turnout, and Sam and Jen stayed behind to connect with coaches and offer their advice. This talk was an extension of the program they offer through Soccerista United, where college mentors teach young players the best way to grow their social media presence in safe and successful ways. 

The NWSL Draft

This NWSL Draft is the premiere event in the NWSL calendar. Every single team is there, participating. With the entire GSN team there, it was great to be able to split up and cover all the bases. We were able to talk to incoming draftees, including Ally Sentnor, Savy King, Reilyn Turner, Brecken Mozingo, and many more, on the red carpet while simultaneously seeing the set up for the big event stage and looking on to all the team administrations talking over their game-plans. 

As expected, the draft itself was spectacular. It was exciting and nerve-wracking as GSN’s very own Soccerista United co-founder, mentor, and co-host of our podcast, the BIG LIFE, Sam Cary, was up for selection. She was picked by Racing Louisville in the fourth round and is the first-ever draftee to come from the University of Iowa. 

The draft was intense–and long– but it was amazing to see all the upcoming talent coming to the league. We cannot wait for the season to start and to watch these rookies shine. 

Women in Soccer Breakfast

At the Women in Soccer Breakfast, Katie’s Save received the Certification of Appreciation award for their significant contributions to the athlete mental health space. 

Additionally, the event featured a talk by Julie Uhrman, the owner of Angel City FC, who shared insights into her journey in soccer. She emphasized the importance of having a seat at the table and the ability to make a positive impact. She spoke passionately about Angel City FC’s commitment to turning the team into a platform that supports both profitable and nonprofit endeavors, fostering a holistic approach to women’s soccer. Overall, the event provided a platform for inspiring discussions about leadership, equity, and making a positive impact in the soccer community.

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