Here is a letter that the United Soccer Coaches CEO Geoff VanDeusen sent to its membership on Tuesday.

Dear Coaches,

As an association of coaches, we are collectively facing our toughest opponent, COVID-19. We have known about this opponent for some time and we have been creating our game plan.

The convention is happening, and your health and safety is incredibly important. We are doing everything to ensure that you are safe while attending the convention, January 19-23, 2022. We are following all guidelines from the CDC, City of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson County, Missouri. We are going beyond the guidelines to make sure we get the result we want. When you attend a function supported by United Soccer Coaches in the Kansas City Convention Center, Marriott Hotel, or the Loews Hotel you will notice the following to ensure your health and safety:

Masks will be worn by all attendees and staff
​​​​​​We encourage all attendees to be fully vaccinated and boosted
Social distancing wherever possible (seating in lecture rooms, meal functions and demo fields)
Hand Sanitizer will be readily available
​​​​All buildings will be thoroughly cleaned throughout the day and night

You can find out more about how the local venues and airlines are doing everything they can to ensure that you are safe on our  Convention Health & Safety page.

We look forward to hosting you in Kansas City for the annual Convention, January 19-23, 2022.

Sincerely,

Geoff VanDeusen
Chief Executive Officer

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.