US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer)
6700 Pinecrest Drive, Suite 200, Plano, TX 75024
About
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program that focuses on soccer activities, including small-sided games such as 3 v 3, 4 v 4, and 8 v 8, as well as full-sided 11 v 11 games. The program can include unified teams with a mix of challenged and non-challenged athletes, indoor and outdoor programs, camps, and skills-only options, including a skills program that is described as rewarding, challenging, and fun. Each athlete has a ball, and equipment can include color-coded goals or nets and scrimmage vests.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Length of program is determined by the organizer (6-8 weeks)
• Price: Costs vary depending upon registration fees and insurance fees, and uniform and equipment costs. Cost should be kept low and affordable to all possible participants.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities and is offered only through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. Players are grouped and placed on teams according to ability rather than age, and playing rules can be created to fit specific needs using the US Youth Soccer Under-6, Under-8, or Under-10 guidelines. For athletes who are not able to participate in team play for medical reasons, a separate skills program can be designed, and assessment tests should be made available upon request.
Each participant is assigned a volunteer, trained “Buddy” who is typically a little older and neurotypical, and this Buddy works with the player individually to keep them safe, engaged, supported, and having fun, with the player-Buddy relationship maintained throughout the season. Training for TOPSoccer coaches and administrators includes formal USYS education and certification that covers coaching strategies and tactics for children with special needs, identifies traits of common disabilities, and explains how to modify typical soccer practice activities. Program guidelines state that athletes with Down syndrome should be required to have a current x-ray, and if the x-ray is positive for their safety, it should be strongly recommended that they do not take part in team play, and in some cases medical waivers may be required.
Registration procedures are recommended to be the same as those used for regular league teams and to include a section for medical history. The program notes that TOPSoccer programs can have very modest beginnings and that each program is different and created around the needs of the participants, with a variety of choices such as small-sided games, full-sided games, unified teams, indoor and outdoor programs, camps, and skills-only options. The program emphasizes the guideline “Above all… keep it simple… KEEP IT FUN!”
The mission of TOPSoccer is to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement, which includes fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition. Community and organizational connections mentioned for TOPSoccer include philanthropic entities such as the Shriners, as well as Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs, with suggested contacts for information including US Youth Soccer, Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy, and Shriners, and suggested local connections including local school districts, universities, the State Association, and the Regional TOPSoccer Representative.
The leadership team for TOPSoccer includes Dave Robinson (Chair), Bill Ross (East Region), Roni Andrew (Midwest Region), Fil Wilkinson (South Region), Michael Posen (West Region), Adam Kenes (Coaching & Technical Director), Shannon Hartinger (Marketing & Communications), Mallorie LaForge (At-Large Member), Meghan Ward (At-Large Member), Louis Mateus (BOD Liaison), David Kawesi-Mukooza (BOD Liaison), and Chris Bentley (Staff Liaison).
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Length of program is determined by the organizer (6-8 weeks)
• Price: Costs vary depending upon registration fees and insurance fees, and uniform and equipment costs. Cost should be kept low and affordable to all possible participants.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities and is offered only through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. Players are grouped and placed on teams according to ability rather than age, and playing rules can be created to fit specific needs using the US Youth Soccer Under-6, Under-8, or Under-10 guidelines. For athletes who are not able to participate in team play for medical reasons, a separate skills program can be designed, and assessment tests should be made available upon request.
Each participant is assigned a volunteer, trained “Buddy” who is typically a little older and neurotypical, and this Buddy works with the player individually to keep them safe, engaged, supported, and having fun, with the player-Buddy relationship maintained throughout the season. Training for TOPSoccer coaches and administrators includes formal USYS education and certification that covers coaching strategies and tactics for children with special needs, identifies traits of common disabilities, and explains how to modify typical soccer practice activities. Program guidelines state that athletes with Down syndrome should be required to have a current x-ray, and if the x-ray is positive for their safety, it should be strongly recommended that they do not take part in team play, and in some cases medical waivers may be required.
Registration procedures are recommended to be the same as those used for regular league teams and to include a section for medical history. The program notes that TOPSoccer programs can have very modest beginnings and that each program is different and created around the needs of the participants, with a variety of choices such as small-sided games, full-sided games, unified teams, indoor and outdoor programs, camps, and skills-only options. The program emphasizes the guideline “Above all… keep it simple… KEEP IT FUN!”
The mission of TOPSoccer is to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement, which includes fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth and development of America’s youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition. Community and organizational connections mentioned for TOPSoccer include philanthropic entities such as the Shriners, as well as Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs, with suggested contacts for information including US Youth Soccer, Special Olympics, United Cerebral Palsy, and Shriners, and suggested local connections including local school districts, universities, the State Association, and the Regional TOPSoccer Representative.
The leadership team for TOPSoccer includes Dave Robinson (Chair), Bill Ross (East Region), Roni Andrew (Midwest Region), Fil Wilkinson (South Region), Michael Posen (West Region), Adam Kenes (Coaching & Technical Director), Shannon Hartinger (Marketing & Communications), Mallorie LaForge (At-Large Member), Meghan Ward (At-Large Member), Louis Mateus (BOD Liaison), David Kawesi-Mukooza (BOD Liaison), and Chris Bentley (Staff Liaison).
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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