Evan Dabby’s Mission: Creating a Better Future for Youth Soccer Players, Coaches, and Communities
SoccerToday proudly kicks off the 2025 Most Influential Leaders in Soccer series with a deep dive into the impact of Evan Dabby—one of the game’s most collaborative changemakers.
Evan Dabby, CEO of New Jersey Youth Soccer and President of the United States Consortium of State Associations (USCSA), is forging a collaborative path in American youth soccer, grounded in a player-first approach and a commitment to listening to diverse perspectives to build a unified future. Discover how this trusted leader is helping shape the future of the game.
With decades of experience in the soccer landscape, Dabby has earned a reputation as a thoughtful leader who values collaboration over competition, especially in the fragmented landscape of youth soccer. His work for 16 seasons at the MLS League Office before joining New Jersey Youth Soccer and teaming up for USCSA has centered on building bridges between state associations, coaches, and players—ensuring that every decision prioritizes long-term player development and well-being. By focusing on inclusivity and open dialogue, Dabby is helping foster a soccer culture where young athletes can thrive on and off the field. 
By prioritizing players at every level, Dabby is helping shape a more sustainable future for everyone and effectively grow the game we all love.
How Listening and Collaboration Are Driving Youth Soccer Forward
For Dabby, leadership starts with self-awareness and a mindset of continuous growth. “I’m turning 50 this year,” he shares, “and I’m not shy about acknowledging that I’m still learning who I am as a person and as a professional.” Inspired by a talk on finding his “why,” Dabby’s motivation is rooted in getting better every day—not chasing headlines but patiently improving processes and culture year after year. “If I look at the past 10 years at NJ Youth Soccer, that patience and commitment to daily improvement has resulted in a stronger product and a healthier culture—and we have a projected growth of 20% in player membership next season.”
Listening as a Leadership Tool
This philosophy has shaped his work at NJ Youth Soccer and his leadership of the U.S. Consortium of State Associations (USCSA), where efficiency through listening and collaboration is key. “Collaboration, when done right, results in extreme efficiency,” Dabby says. “In just the past two years, we’ve seen multiple state associations aligning on shared partnerships, from leveraging commercial assets to managing sponsor activations. I believe there’s so much more opportunity ahead.”
“The Consortium brings together 16 state associations in a groundbreaking alliance,” says Dabby. “By revolutionizing the way state associations operate, we aim to improve services, programming and value for the nearly 1 million players and 100,000 coaches in our membership.”
“Collaboration, when done right, results in extreme efficiency.”
– Evan Dabby
The Consortium has grown into a profitable organization. The USCSA projects revenue, through grants and sponsorships, to be over $200,000 in 2025. Partnerships are activated nationwide, and revenue is reinvested into programming and services for the state’s association members.
Quiet Leadership, Big Results: Evan Dabby’s Collaborative Approach
Dabby credits much of his success to his willingness to listen. “I am very comfortable accepting that I don’t know what I don’t know,” he says. “There are people around me who have more knowledge or expertise in many areas.” This outlook is foundational to how he has structured the consortium—leading where appropriate and supporting others where they are better suited to take charge.
Nelson Rodríguez, Major League Soccer Executive Vice President of Sporting Product & Competition, calls Dabby “one of the rare leaders who consistently prioritizes what’s best for the game.” Dabby reported to Rodríguez for nearly a decade at MLS.
“Evan has helped grow soccer in America with a unique blend of curiosity, self-reflection, and courage,” Rodríguez says. “He’s always asking how to make things better, even when that means challenging popular opinions or the status quo.”
Rodríguez emphasizes Dabby’s ability to balance competing perspectives with humility and resolve. “In a sport often shaped by self-interest and self-preservation, Evan stands out. He’s a straight shooter who doesn’t approach problems from ‘how does this benefit me.’ His ability to build coalitions and challenge the system—with a calm, unthreatening approach—is rare and needed.”
Rodríguez adds that Evan’s work is critical to restoring the core values of the sport. “Soccer has become a big business, but at its heart, it’s about creating environments where players, coaches, and referees can enjoy the game, learn life lessons, and grow. Evan’s leadership helps return the focus to those universal values.”
Balancing Listening and Creativity to Solve Soccer’s Challenges
Evan Dabby’s leadership is marked by his ability to communicate clearly, foster trust, and approach challenges with both tactical precision and creative thinking—qualities recognized by some of the game’s most respected figures.
Ivan Gazidis, former MLS Deputy Commissioner and former CEO of both Arsenal FC and AC Milan, reflects on Dabby’s rare skill set.
“I immediately knew this was someone who understood all the details from the ground up,” Gazidis says. “He was also comfortable speaking uncomfortable truths, which gave me huge confidence in him.”
Gazidis emphasizes that Dabby’s leadership stands out for its blend of attentiveness and innovation. “Evan has the rare quality of being a good listener both up and, importantly, down the reporting chain. He understood not only the organization’s objectives but also exactly what was going on at the operational level and the challenges of implementing those objectives. He is a detail person, but he’s also very creative in coming up with solutions to achieve the organization’s needs. That is a rare combination.”
Gazidis adds, “What I respect most is Evan’s personal integrity and values. He’s a clear communicator and engenders huge trust.” Gazidis was one of Dabby’s earliest supervisors at MLS.
Solving Soccer’s Puzzle by Aligning Perspectives
Kyle Albrecht, General Manager of MLS NEXT & MLS GO, says, “Evan is a real leader and a breath of fresh air. His goal is always to make the game better. He understands that development exists in many different ways and adapts his approach depending on community needs. Evan has a creative, solution-oriented approach and is one of the bright lights in a landscape that has been stagnant for years.”
MLS GO selected NJ Youth Soccer as one of two US Youth Soccer State Associations to partner towards growing grassroots participation.
Dabby views the challenges facing youth soccer like a puzzle waiting to be solved. “I really like puzzles, and I think the Escape Room is a great example,” he says. “There’s randomness and disorder, but if you communicate and work together, you can align the clues, unlock a door, and move forward.”
“Every day, we have the ability to uncover a gap, improve a flawed process, or innovate.”
– Evan Dabby
For Dabby, youth soccer’s fragmentation isn’t insurmountable—it’s just a matter of aligning the stakeholders. “We just need to identify the pieces, figure out how they fit, and we can create a stronger soccer environment and ecosystem,” he says. It’s this belief in collective problem-solving that reflects his efforts both within NJ Youth Soccer and the broader USCSA network.
There is widespread support for Dabby’s leadership.
US Youth Soccer’s Interim CEO Tom Condone says, “On behalf of US Youth Soccer, we appreciate Evan’s outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication, which have been key in driving the growth and success of youth soccer.”
“Evan exemplifies what modern leadership should look like across all sports,” says Jess Yeager, President of NJ Youth Soccer. “He is a leader willing to adapt, leads from the front, and understands the importance of a strategic plan, which has never been more critical to a youth sports organization than today.”
Read: United States Consortium of State Associations (USCSA) Expands to 16 Members and US Youth Soccer States Form Consortium To Grow The Game
Dabby’s peers in US Youth Soccer also recognize this strategic mindset and collaborative spirit. Gordon Henderson, CEO of the Ohio Soccer Association and Vice President of the USCSA, says Dabby’s calm, progressive leadership has been key to moving the game forward. “Evan is level-headed and easy to work with—he rarely gets caught up in the drama,” Henderson says. “He always thinks about what’s best for soccer as a whole, not just his own state.”
As president of the consortium, Dabby’s impact has been undeniable. “It’s one thing to get thought leaders in a room, but it’s another to get them moving in the same direction,” Henderson explains. “Evan’s real talent is distilling a thousand ideas into actionable plans. He keeps us focused, and that’s how we’ve been able to accomplish so much, so quickly.”
From Ohio’s neighboring state of Indiana, “Evan not only sees the big picture but is able to identify meaningful and achievable opportunities,” says Dave Guthrie, Executive Director of Indiana Soccer and Secretary of the USCSA. “He’s talented enough and willing to invest the time and effort to attract and coalesce other talented individuals to join him in capitalizing on those opportunities, which is a rare and necessary quality of successful leaders.”
Rob Holliday, Executive Director of Massachusetts Youth Soccer, agrees. “Evan is a proactive and innovative leader for the consortium, which has led to tangible results including meaningful sponsorships and a successful Innovate to Grow grant,” says Holliday. “Evan’s leadership style is collaborative, and his ability to focus on both the details and the big picture is impressive.”
Under Dabby’s leadership, the Consortium secured a U.S. Soccer Innovate to Grow grant, funding a nationwide “Growing the Girls Game” initiative aimed at expanding opportunities for female players.
From fostering nationwide initiatives to advocating for local affordability, Dabby’s work consistently focuses on broadening access to the game. Committed to making soccer more inclusive, he has helped NJ Youth Soccer resist the traditional pay-to-play model by maintaining flat player membership fees. His efforts with TOPSoccer, alongside partner RWJBarnabas Health, have made registration free for players with disabilities, removing barriers for those who need it most.
Dabby’s focus on accessibility extends beyond the financials; it’s about trust and building genuine partnerships. In today’s soccer landscape, the word trust is infrequently heard, but two people mentioned this quality when describing Dabby.
“I trust Evan Dabby,” says Meg Munson, former Executive Director of Vermont Youth Soccer Association. “He is thoughtful, easy to work with, and always has the approach of ‘Let’s work together to make it better,’ even when the scales are not tipped in his favor. He is never on a soapbox.”
Championing Youth Soccer’s Core Values
Dabby’s commitment to the sport makes him a vocal advocate for returning the game to its roots—prioritizing player enjoyment, personal growth, and community. “Soccer has become a big business, but at its heart, it’s about creating environments where players, coaches, and referees can enjoy the game and grow,” Dabby says. “That’s what we’re working toward.”
Lauren Nathan-LaRusso, Co-Host City Manager & General Counsel for the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York/New Jersey Host Committee, has seen Dabby’s impact firsthand. “Evan Dabby is a huge asset,” Nathan-LaRusso says. “I have worked with him on World Cup planning, and Evan not only cares about the growth of the game but is also a dynamic doer, steadfast in leveraging the benefits for New Jersey and creative in finding solutions.”
One of those moments where grassroots soccer met the global stage happened last summer, in a collaboration that left Dabby especially energized.
For Dabby, it was a dream scenario—watching Messi dazzle at MetLife Stadium in the Copa America semifinals, then stepping onto the same field hours later to help deliver a special clinic for hundreds of young players. NJ Youth Soccer, in partnership with the World Cup Host Committee, turned that night into an unforgettable memory, blending the magic of the global game with grassroots soccer.
Evan Dabby’s Collaborative Mindset is Growing the Game
Even in his playing days, Dabby’s honest leadership was evident. “I was a leader in assists on my high school and college teams,” he says. “Scoring goals was great, but I always enjoyed that perfect pass that led to a goal.”
That same team-first mindset is what draws admiration even at the highest levels of professionals in the game.
“Evan has brought new energy to NJYS,” says Tab Ramos, former U.S. Men’s National Team World Cup player and U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer. “His relentless work ethic and ability to connect at all levels will without a doubt take New Jersey soccer to new heights.”
Ramos, who has represented the United States at three FIFA World Cups, coached the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team, and led Houston Dynamo in MLS, has seen firsthand what it takes to elevate the game. His endorsement speaks to Dabby’s growing influence—not just in New Jersey, but across the broader U.S. soccer landscape.
Another respected figure in American soccer who has witnessed Dabby’s influence firsthand is John Harkes. A former U.S. Men’s National Team captain, two-time World Cup player, and Premier League veteran with Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County, Harkes has been a pioneering force in American soccer both on and off the field.
Harkes says, “Evan has shown consistent leadership and an ability to adapt to the changing platforms in youth soccer. He has shown a willingness to roll up his sleeves and work hard while keeping the level of respect for the game, stakeholders, and players intact. He has made soccer in New Jersey a powerful force and an example of how things should be done. Game first, team first mentality!”
Dabby’s steadfast avoidance of self-promotion and his quiet commitment to supporting the greater good over personal accolades is exactly what has made writing this feature such a pleasure.
Diane Scavuzzo writes about the people shaping the future of soccer, one story at a time.
RELATED READ: $180,000 Grant Fuels Growth of Girls’ Soccer Across the 16 States in USCSA, USCSA Announces Partnership with Destination Sports Group and Making a Difference: NJYS’s Evan Dabby
Top Image Photo Credit: Tim Heitman/ISI Photos/USSF
