CONCACAF | |
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Founded | 1913 |
FIFA affiliation | 1914 |
CONCACAF affiliation | 1961 |
President | Sunil Gulati |
The United States men's Paralympic soccer team is operated by the United States Soccer Federation. The team is currently training for the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games to be held in London, United Kingdom. Their coach is Jay Hoffman, former head coach of the United Soccer Leagues Virginia Beach Mariners, and several team members are in a residency program at Virginia Beach. Comedian Josh Blue is an active player.
The team plays Football 7-a-side, and players must be significantly affected by cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. "Football 7-a-side" is the standard term for the game formally known as "C.P. Football," and international tournaments are hosted by the International Paralympic Committee, FIFA, or CP-ISRA. Although each player suffers from a neurological disorder, most display no cognitive or intellectual disability. Team selection and tournaments are competitive, and tend to be run like professional sport organizations. The USA team trains at the Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista, California, and the Home Depot Center at Carson, California.