We recognize that different parts of our country have been affected to varying degrees the impact of COVID-19. Therefore, effective May 18, US Club Soccer lifted its national suspension of activities and delegated return-to-play decision making to our members.

To be clear, this decision by no means is a blanket permission to return to play. For activities to be sanctioned with the normal US Club Soccer-provided insurance coverage in effect, members returning to play must be in compliance with requirements/mandates established by the applicable local and state public health authorities. If members are not in compliance, the activities are unsanctioned and US Club Soccer-provided insurance coverage is not in effect.

Beyond the requirements/mandates, US Club Soccer also encourages members to follow optional guidelines or recommendations established by local and state public health authorities, to the extent applicable and possible. Members are always expected to err on the side of caution in health and safety matters.

• CDC's directory of local, state and territorial health departments (in English / en Español)
• CDC's COVID-19 Considerations for Youth Sports
• U.S. Soccer PLAY ON: Return-to-Play Guidelines (Phases 1, 2 & 3 are all available)
  • Indoor considerations
• ECNL's Return-to-Play Recommendations:
  • For returning to training environments
  • For returning to competitions

To assist our members, we have prepared some FAQs. Please understand that these FAQs are not intended to be legal advice or a determination by an insurance provider as to whether coverage applies in any specific situation. Given how quickly the situation is changing with COVID-19, the information contained in these FAQs is subject to change without notice. Additionally, as circumstances vary depending on where members are located and due to changing circumstances. we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information for similar circumstances.

Q: Is US Club Soccer able to provide a definitive answer as to whether a specific activity (ex: training, games, participation in a tournament in a different state or municipality, etc.) is, or is not, compliant with the applicable local and state public health authorities?

No. Primarily, it is the role and expertise of local and state public health authorities to make this determination. Also, as a national organization, it's not possible for US Club Soccer to be knowledgeable of, or be able to monitor, the various and changing requirements of the thousands of public health authorities throughout the country. For these reasons, we recommend that member organizations seek answers directly from the applicable public health authorities (at the local and state level), and/or consult with legal counsel licensed in the member organization’s jurisdiction.

Q: For an activity that takes place in a different municipality or state than the member/member organization resides or is based, which local and state public health requirements and orders are applicable?

Members/member organizations are responsible to ensure they understand and comply with the requirements and orders of local and state public health authorities applicable to their activities. This means that a member/member organization must comply with the rules and orders of the locality(ies) and state(s): (1) in which the member/member organization resides/is based; (2) where the activity is held; and (3) through which the member may travel while the member is in that locality or state.

Q: What if the applicable local and state public health authorities have conflicting requirements/orders?

In this situation, US Club Soccer encourages members to consult with their local and state public health authorities and legal counsel.

We recognize that does not answer the specific question of whether an activity is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and therefore covered by US Club Soccer-provided insurance. However, given the unique circumstances of each claim and the particular issues that may exist between local and state authorities, our insurance provider cannot provide a blanket determination. Our understanding after discussions with US Club Soccer’s insurance provider is that the insurance provider would take into consideration whether the member/member organization acted reasonably in such a situation.

Q: How does this impact US Club Soccer-sanctioned tournaments?

When US Club Soccer approves a tournament sanctioning application, it means that the tournament complies with applicable US Club Soccer rules and policies. US Club Soccer does not review local or state public health requirements. Any US Club Soccer-sanctioned tournament remains subject to the tournament host’s compliance with applicable requirements/orders issued by local and state public health authorities. If the requirements/orders issued by public health authorities change so that the tournament cannot be held in a manner that complies with such requirements/orders, the tournament will be deemed unsanctioned even if it was previously approved by US Club Soccer. Tournament hosts are expected to become familiar with the applicable requirements/orders issued by local and state public health authorities and participating teams are responsible for their compliance with such requirements/orders.

Q: Where can I find more information about US Club Soccer's insurance coverage provided to members?

https://www.usclubsoccer.org/members-area-insurance

• Please read this May 14 letter from CEO Kevin Payne to US Club Soccer members.
• Canceled the 2020 ENPL National Playoffs, 2020 ENPL National Finals, 2020 Girls NPL Finals and National Cup XIX Finals. Please read this April 14 letter from Payne to members.
• Canceled all National Cup XIX Regionals. Please read this May 6 statement.
• Postponed the 2020 id2 National Selection International Tours to the U.K. until later this year. March 9 statement here.
• Postponed all grassroots and "D" license courses through June 30, in conjunction with U.S. Soccer, and are now working carefully with U.S. Soccer to ensure safe conditions for returns to coach licensing courses.
• We remain in regular communication with U.S. Soccer and public health officials about future developments.
• US Club Soccer members are required to abide by these safety requirements for any virtual training sessions/meetings with youth players.

In consideration of the threat of COVID-19 – the disease caused by the new coronavirus – US Club Soccer encourages all members and related personnel to take proper precautions. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is a valuable resource of the latest information.

Please monitor this CDC web page, which has important information about how coronavirus spreads, its symptoms, FAQs, global locations with COVID-19, travel advisories and more. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, such as:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital needs of small businesses suffering substantial financial hardship as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state's or territory's Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority (as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President) an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. 

Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The SBA has created the COVID-19: Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources for those anticipating financial hardship caused by the pandemic.

Please take note of the following, as outlined by the SBA: 

• Nonprofits are eligible to apply. 
• Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There is no guarantee that applicants will be approved. 
• Each applicant must work with the SBA and a loan officer. The first loan offered is not determinate. Applicants can go back and ask for additional loans with a strong case. 
• Applicants need to demonstrate collateral and also an ability to repay the loan. 
• Applicants may need to demonstrate that the financial duress is due to revenue lost from the COVID-19 crisis. 
• Applicants should expect 2-3 weeks on a decision. Dispersal of funds is a few days after the applicants have been approved. 
• 30 states are currently eligible.
• These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. 
• SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower's ability to repay. 

For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Member organizations may want to consider applying for the PPP, which offers a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

Lenders may begin processing loan applications as soon as April 3, 2020. The PPP will be available through June 30, 2020.

For more information, including eligibility details, guidance and other assistance, please visit this SBA.gov web page.

About COVID-19:

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• World Health Organization
• SafeSport guidelines: Keeping your kids safe online
• U.S. Soccer: COVID-19 and Mental Health

Related to employment, staffing and the federal stimulus bill:

• Federal government's phased approach to reopening America
• Department of Labor's coronavirus resources
• Information regarding paid sick leave and expanded family & medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Unemployment benefits by state
• Understanding the CARES Act (video by SportsEngine & National Council of Youth Sports)
• National Council of Youth Sports' information sheet on the $2 trillion federal stimulus bill
• CARES Act analysis by the National Council of Nonprofits
• Coronavirus emergency loans: Small business guide and checklist (via U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
• Small business owner's guide to the CARES Act (via U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship)
• What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act means to nonprofits (via National Council of Nonprofits)