CHICAGO (Nov. 14, 2006) -  As part of U.S. Soccer's International Relations Program, U.S. Soccer recently sent eight representatives to four nations as part of the International Sports Initiative. As a joint effort with the U.S. State Department, the program served to showcase sports personalities as part of diplomatic and outreach initiatives. The International Sports Initiative was the first major initiative under the International Relations Program banner announced in June.

U.S. Soccer's envoys , which included one former player and one former coach from U.S. Soccer, visited Bahrain, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda on this initial outreach. Each of their trips was a great success, as our players and coaches reached out to numerous children and young adults spreading a message of international cooperation and personal advancement through soccer. 

A written and pictoral recap of this successful program is available for download.