U.S. Soccer Teams Up with TST in Game-Changing Partnership to Fuel Soccer's Growth Nationwide
U.S. Soccer has revealed a multi-year collaboration deal with the renowned seven-a-side tournament known as The Soccer Tournament.
Through a combined announcement, the American soccer governing body and TST disclosed their new strategic alliance designed to foster TST's continued expansion, while U.S. Soccer seeks innovative methods to promote the sport's development and attract fresh audiences.
"This fresh collaboration demonstrates our acknowledgment that alternative soccer formats contribute to increasing interest and involvement in the game. We're thrilled to collaborate with TST and back innovative soccer competitions—remaining faithful to our commitment of serving soccer," stated U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson.
Some may question what TST represents. The Soccer Tournament is a yearly, seven-day 7-versus-7 soccer competition that launched its first event in 2023. Typically scheduled during the opening week of June, the 2025 championship featured 48 men's squads and 16 women's teams battling for the title and a $1 million reward.
Internationally recognized clubs and former professional players participated in the event. Teams from West Ham United, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Club América were among the professional organizations that fielded squads in the 2025 competition.
Ex-professionals such as Sergio Agüero and Nani assembled teams for the tournament, while other notable players including Diego Godín, Anton Ferdinand, João Miranda, Miguel Layún, and Tiago Mendes also appeared on the field.
Bumpy Pitch FC, featuring former USMNT player Edgar Castillo in their lineup, claimed the men's championship in 2025. In the women's division, U.S. Women, captained by former USWNT legends Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger, and Allie Long, secured the trophy and the million-dollar prize.
"We're merely three years into this venture, and we've unexpectedly tapped into this market very rapidly," explained TST founder and CEO Joe Murgar. "U.S. Soccer can assist us in solving the challenge of expansion and geographic scaling. They're perfect partners from that standpoint."
It's clearly evident that U.S. Soccer's initiatives to promote the sport's growth and achieve the same level of significance and relevance domestically as it holds internationally remains a top priority.