IN THIS ISSUE
🤝 Introduction: We’re back!
🆓 Women’s Soccer: A new report
‼️ Do This Now: What actually gets you hired in soccer
⚽️ Soccer Jobs: 15 brand spankin’ new jobs
📰 Extra Extra: Must-read soccer industry news
INTRODUCTION
Greetings, Pathwayers! 👋
It’s been a minute, but we’re back and better than ever.
2026 is well underway as are new seasons for MLS, NWSL, and USL. And, if you hadn’t already heard, the biggest sporting event in human history is all of 78 days away.
Yes, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is right around the corner and federations, clubs, sponsors, and media companies alike are currently ramping up their activities.
It’s going to be a fun year.
We’ll be coming to you each and every week on Wednesday so be sure to add us to your address book so you don’t miss anything. We’ll continue to link the latest and greatest jobs in soccer, share tips and tricks for breaking into the industry, and - every so often - bring you an interview with a mover and shaker in soccer.
Let’s get to it.
Kyle Sheldon, Co-Founder & CEO
Nolan Sheldon, Co-Founder & CXO
Our friends at Name & Number - your favorite soccer-specific marketing and creative agency - released this week a new report on women’s soccer.
The comprehensive deck includes:
5-year roadmap
U.S. soccer pyramid
Fan insights + data
And, ultimately, what it means for brands:
How they can enter the sport
What's working and not working
What fans want to see from brands
CAREER TIP: WHAT ACTUALLY GETS YOU HIRED IN SOCCER
I’ve helped dozens and dozens of people break into the soccer industry.
And here’s something that might surprise you:
When two candidates have similar skills and experience…
The one who gets the job isn’t always the one with the better resume.
So what makes the difference?
I asked Taylor Graham (Chief Integration Officer at the Seattle Sounders & Seattle Reign FC) what he looks for when hiring.
His answer was simple.
There are three qualities that consistently make candidates stand out👇
1. Hunger
In soccer, the people who move fastest are the ones who lean in.
They don’t wait to be told what to do, they find ways to contribute.
Hungry people:
Volunteer for extra projects
Ask “How can I help?” and mean it
Take on the work others avoid
They build trust quickly because they show they’re invested.
2. Curiosity
Curiosity goes beyond your job description.
It’s about understanding how everything fits together.
Curious people ask questions like:
How are we approaching fan engagement?
Why was this partnership structured this way?
What’s our biggest lever for growing revenue right now?
Soccer is constantly evolving on and off the pitch.
The people who grow in this industry are the ones who stay curious enough to evolve with it.
3. Attitude
This one matters more than people think…
Soccer isn’t a 9-5. It’s:
Match days
Lots of travel
Tight turnarounds
Long seasons
Things will go wrong, deadlines will stack up, and energy will dip.
But in those moments, your attitude is what people remember most.
I’ve seen incredibly talented people stall out because they struggled to stay positive when things got tough.
And I’ve seen others with less experience build amazing careers, simply because they showed up the right way, every day.
⚽️ What This Means for You
Your resume might get you the interview.
But these three traits are what build your career.
Hunger earns you opportunities
Curiosity helps you grow
Attitude determines how far you go
Technical skills can be taught. These can’t.
If you’re trying to break into soccer (or take the next step), start focusing on these today.
They’re the difference-makers.
-Kyle Sheldon, Co-Founder & CEO
NEW SOCCER JOBS
Each and every week, we’ll bring you the latest and greatest jobs in soccer - all in one place for easy review. Here are a bunch that caught our eye this week.
Director, Club Finance - MLS
Data Analyst - Houston Dynamo
Video Producer - Seattle Sounders
Marketing Manager - Charleston Battery
Director of Ticket Sales - Oakland Roots
Financial Analyst - Vancouver Whitecaps
Head Coach, Academy - Chicago Fire FC
Partnership Director - Kings League USA
Director, Strategic Operations - US Soccer
Manager, Soccer Operations - Angel City FC
Assistant Coach / Analyst, Academy - Red Bull New York
Executive Director, Academy - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Mental Performance Coach, First Team - San Diego Wave FC
Director, Soccer Growth, Pathway Strategy Focus - US Soccer
Vice President, Sporting Operations & Strategy - AC Grand Rapids
ICYMI: MUST-READ ARTICLES
📰 If you want to work in soccer - and even if you’re already in the industry - it’s important you keep up with the latest headlines.
🎽 New 2026 World Cup Kits Unveiled - U.S. Soccer and Nike revealed the official kits for the 2026 World Cup, offering a "stars" and "stripes" version with player input on design and fit. They'll be sold at 2,500+ retail locations. (Via US soccer)
📈 Denver Summit FC to smash NWSL attendance record - Expansion club Denver Summit FC has already sold north of 50,000 tickets for its home opener this weekend. The club’s owner calls it a 'pinch me' moment (CBS News)
📺 Apple TV Drops MLS Paywall - MLS games on Apple TV are now free for all Apple TV+ subscribers - no separate Season Pass purchase needed. The league framed it as a key move to grow the fanbase heading into the World Cup summer. (Via 9to5mac)
📲 FIFA Strikes YouTube Deal - FIFA and YouTube agreed to let broadcasters stream select World Cup matches in full on their YouTube channels, plus the first 10 minutes of every game on the platform - that’s good news for us fans. (Via ESPN)
🏟️ Forward Madison FC Seeks Private Investment - The USL League One club hired an investment bank to find equity partners - private equity, family offices, or strategic investors. The timing is deliberate, ahead of USL's planned promotion/relegation system launching in 2028. (Via Sportico)
ALSO…
If this email was forwarded to you, you can sign up here to ensure you get every issue (sent on Tuesdays!) directly in your inbox.
And, if you’re a club or brand looking to get in front of ambitious talent in soccer, drop us a line. With 5,000+ subscribers and a 70% open rate, we can help you promote your latest job opening.
FOLLOW ALONG
SEE YOU SOON, SOCCER FRIENDS
