Iowa Soccer Association is excited to present the 2025 Iowa Soccer Symposium, a one-of-a-kind weekend event dedicated to advancing the game of soccer at every level. Set for the weekend of February 21-23, the 2025 Iowa Soccer Symposium will be hosted at the MidAmerican Company RecPlex in West Des Moines, Iowa.
This dynamic gathering brings together players, coaches, referees, parents and technical leaders for an enriching experience that aims to foster growth and development across all aspects of the sport. 2025 marks the second year of the Iowa Soccer Symposium, and registration for the weekend events is currently open.
“The Symposium is designed to bring our Iowa Soccer community together and provide access to high-level educational experiences from experts across various levels and domains within the game,” said Gareth Smith, Chief Technical Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “Creating these learner-centered continuous professional development experiences help to equip our soccer community with the knowledge and skills to optimize our youth soccer landscape.”
Taking place over three impactful days, the 2025 Iowa Soccer Symposium features a robust lineup of industry experts who will share their knowledge and insights. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on sessions, engaging workshops and invaluable networking opportunities that emphasize collaboration and the shared passion for soccer.
Meet the Presenters
The 2025 Iowa Soccer Symposium boasts an impressive roster of presenters representing some of the most influential organizations in soccer.
- Ben Barlett – Pro Course Educator, US Soccer
- Dominic Casciato – Head Coach & Technical Director of Union Omaha, United Soccer League
- Tom Condone – Chief Technical Officer, US Youth Soccer
- Dave Simeone – Director of Education Programs, United Soccer Coaches
- Mark Roberts – Learning and Development Coordinator, FIFA
- Santo Rivas – Club Technical Leadership, US Soccer
- Fouad Kawtari – Academy Scouting Director, FC Cincinnati of Major League Soccer
- Carrie Taylor – Technical Director of Women’s Pathway, United Soccer League
- Jeremy Tosya – NCSA Senior Recruiting Coach
- Jason Pendelton – Park Hill High School and KC Fusion
- Lou Mignone – ODP Director of Coaching, New Jersey Youth Soccer
- Kaylee Perry – Stacks Sports
- Daniel Radford – Senior Manager of Referees, US Youth Soccer
“Iowa Soccer is proud to host our Annual Symposium,” said Dan Cataldi, Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Soccer Association. “It brings together players, coaches, administrators and referees for a weekend full of learning and improving the sport in Iowa at both the club and high school levels. The breadth of knowledge our presenters have is staggering, and to gather them from around the country to improve the game in Iowa is an incredible opportunity and one that we hope will be taken advantage of by every club in our state.”
Symposium Highlights
The 2025 Iowa Soccer Symposium is organized to ensure all participants gain valuable knowledge tailored to their roles within the soccer community.
Friday, February 21: Player Development Day
- A spotlight on talent identification, featuring ODP programming supported by FC Cincinnati (Major League Soccer) and US Youth Soccer representatives.
Saturday, February 22: Coach Development Day
- Designed for club, high school and college coaches, as well as referees, club leaders and administrators.
Sunday, February 23: Referee Development Day
- A day dedicated to enhancing referee skills and fostering professional growth in officiating.
Why Attend the Iowa Soccer Symposium?
The Iowa Soccer Symposium is more than an event, it is an investment in the future of soccer and your role in the game. Attendees will leave with actionable insights from world-class presenters, practical tools to enhance their impact on the game and a deeper connection to the soccer community. Whether it is discovering new techniques, gaining a competitive edge or networking with top leaders in the sport, the Iowa Soccer Symposium aims to offer unparalleled opportunities to grow, develop and inspire.
To contact the Iowa Soccer Association, please call (515) 252-6363 or email admin@iowasoccer.org. Also make sure to follow us on social media!