Looks like the American women’s soccer landscape is set to witness a significant revolution of a lifetime. For the first time in history, the US Soccer Federation has received a donation of a whopping $30 million to support its women’s program. Who played the Good Samaritan role you ask? Save all of your thanks and applause for Michele Kang. While the renowned American businesswoman’s contribution to the growth of the women’s game is nothing short of monumental, the question looms as to how exactly the USSF will utilize this significant funding.

Before we dive into this, let’s learn more about the investment. Precisely, this $30 million donation will be given by Kang over the next five years. This is one of the biggest philanthropic contributions to U.S. Soccer’s women’s and girls’ programs, and the largest donation ever made to the USSF by a woman.

Now, regarding the utilization of this significant investment from Kang, US Soccer will be responsible for growing the women’s and girls’ programs within the country. This includes setting up more Youth National Team camps, developing more female coaches and referees, and simultaneously building out the talent identification platform.

In a shorter sense, it will majorly boost the USWNT youth pipeline, a key focus area since the World Cup. Notably, a statement from US Soccer read this fortunate investment “will scale competitive opportunities for youth players, expand and improve talent identification, and fuel professional development for female players, coaches, and referees.”

This statement provides insight into the US Soccer Federation’s plans to drive impactful changes in women’s soccer. Even President Cindy Parlow Cone had similar thoughts to share on the women’s program receiving such a game-changing gift from Kang. “It will impact generations of women and girls in our game, including players, coaches, and referees. I know firsthand the power soccer can have in someone’s life, and thanks to Michele, we will be able to provide more support and opportunities for women and girls,” said Cone.

To conclude, USWNT just might have the best cheat code to finally work on what their women’s project had been lacking throughout the years—albeit the American ladies have been one of the most successful teams in the world. Then again, it’s all about long-term growth, something that Michele Kang would know better!

How has Michele Kang been transforming the women’s game before her latest gift to the USWNT?

Michele Kang previously established Kynisca Sports International Ltd., the first women-owned, multi-team global organization dedicated to advancing women’s football. Its mission is to create a supportive training environment tailored to the needs of female athletes, enabling their success. This endeavor has positioned Kang as a key player in both on- and off-pitch advancements. 

No wonder she owns Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and London City Lionesses. Additionally, she invests in initiatives such as Just Women’s Sports and IDA Sports and has contributed to the USA women’s rugby sevens team. Her recent donation builds on the momentum generated by Arthur M. Blank’s substantial lead contribution toward U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center, which will be named in his honor.

Overall, this latest development for the USSF is no less than a lottery for them. All of that remains to be seen how exactly they begin with the development of America’s women’s soccer landscape.