Equity and Excellence
In The Women's Game
Informed by research from the Kang Women’s Institute - and developed in collaboration with teams, leagues, and leaders - we’re co-creating benchmarks and sharing best practices for female-first environments.
Our approach ensures that education is not one-off or optional, it’s embedded into environments, aligned to standards, and delivered in formats that meet people where they are. From foundational knowledge to ongoing development, we’re building a culture of learning that empowers every part of the game to do better for female players.
The goal isn’t just better environments, it’s a system-wide mindset shift: embedding a female-first lens across governance, education, and daily practice to ensure the game is built for and around female players.
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We’re building a future where every girl can stay in the game, every woman can rise, and every community - from elite programs to local clubs - is equipped to support the full potential of female players, on and off the pitch.
This work now advances under the Kang Women’s Institute, a first-of-its-kind, female-centered research platform made possible through a historic investment from Michele Kang. The Institute accelerates progress across the ecosystem with evidence, innovation, and a commitment to standards built for the women’s game.
Together, we’re creating the most inclusive, informed, and impactful soccer system in the world.
Explore the research driving this work.
Our approach starts with evidence. Made possible through a transformative investment from Michele Kang, the Kang Women’s Institute is U.S. Soccer’s expanded home for female-centered research, evolving directly from the Soccer Forward Research & Innovation Group.
We’re closing critical knowledge gaps in female sport and turning those insights into training, tools, and policies that shape the future of the game.
Read more about the Institute's vision here.
Soccer Forward applies its indirect cost approach to research funding in accordance with its gift acceptance polices.
Per Soccer Forward’s FY2026 gift acceptance polices, there is an applied 10 percent indirect cost share, calculated as a percentage of total direct project costs, unless otherwise specified by the funder or partner. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all funding must comply with applicable nonprofit regulations and reporting requirements. This policy is reviewed annually and approved in accordance with Soccer Forward governance procedures.
We’re focusing on keeping girls and women in soccer by equipping, educating, and supporting the systems and environments in which they play - grounded in the latest research and built to strengthen long-term engagement.
We are defining best practices for tracking and applying female health and performance data across the soccer ecosystem. This work creates a standardized, science-backed approach that supports better decision-making, improves player care, and drives long-term health and performance outcomes for girls and women.
We’re building an evidence-based understanding of participation and dropout in girls’ soccer. The goal is to generate actionable insights that help programs and systems design more supportive environments, improve retention, and ensure more girls stay connected to the game with confidence and purpose.
We’re drawing on expertise and research to develop practical tools and education across the entire soccer ecosystem, from players to coaches, staff, and community organizations.
We’re turning research into practical tools and education that can be applied across real environments. This work translates complex science into clear, usable guidance designed through a female lens and built for scale.
Our approach ensures that education is not one-off or optional. It’s embedded into environments and delivered in formats that meet people where they are. From foundational knowledge to ongoing development, we’re building a culture of learning that empowers every part of the game to do better for female players.
Our focus is on creating informed, inclusive spaces that get girls into the game, keep them engaged, and support their development so they stay connected to soccer longer.
Together, we’re building the infrastructure, tools, and best practices to reshape the future for female players, from recreation to global competition.