Sozo FC News!

Big things are happening at Sozo FC! We are thrilled to announce that we’ve officially joined the MLS NEXT League!

This is a massive step forward for our club as our Boys teams, from U13 to U19, will now be competing in one of the most prestigious youth soccer leagues in the country.

What is MLS NEXT?

MLS NEXT is a cutting-edge national league that includes over 250 teams from 16 regions across the United States. The league is elite, designed specifically for top-level talent. Sozo FC is now part of this incredible competition, which will see our teams compete against the best in the Northwest Division, including clubs from Washington and Oregon.

Regional Playoffs: Our boys will also have the opportunity to compete against teams from Northern California during the regional playoffs — an exciting chance to prove themselves on a bigger stage!

What About the Girls? 

While MLS NEXT is currently only available for Boys teams, we’re actively working on bringing similar opportunities to our Girls teams. We’re closely watching the exciting developments in the Girls Academy and are hopeful for an alignment between MLS NEXT and the Girls Academy by the 2026/27 season, which will allow us to streamline programming for both boys and girls at Sozo FC.

RCL for Our B Teams and Girls: We’re not stopping there! Our B teams for the Boys and all of our Girls teams will be participating in the RCL (Regional Club League). This will give more players the chance to compete at a high level and gain valuable experience, while still representing the Sozo FC family.

This is just the beginning, and we couldn't be more excited to see what the future holds for our players, coaches, and supporters. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to cheer on Sozo FC as we make our mark in MLS NEXT and beyond!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sozo Partners with Capelli Sport for Innovative Team Uniforms and Sports Apparel

Yakima, WA  April 12, 2023 – Sozo, a leading soccer development organization, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Capelli Sport, an innovative brand that designs, produces, and markets sport and lifestyle products for men, women, and youth, with a strong emphasis on team sports, particularly soccer.

Capelli Sport offers a complete product line for teams worldwide, featuring main categories such as match, training, basics, lifestyle, performance, accessories, and equipment. Driven by their dedication to inspiring athletes at any level and enhancing the quality and look of their products with competitive pricing, Capelli Sport has become a distinguished brand in the industry.

As part of the partnership, Sozo will outfit all its soccer teams in Capelli Sport uniforms, providing players with stylish and comfortable gear that will make them look and feel great on and off the field. "We are excited to put all our soccer players in uniforms that will elevate their appearance and performance. Capelli Sport is the perfect partner for our teams," said Sara Washburn, a spokesperson for Sozo.

This partnership highlights both organizations' commitment to the sport, the athletes, and the products that support their growth and success. Sozo's collaboration with Capelli Sport showcases its dedication to providing top-tier resources to help players reach their full potential while reinforcing Capelli Sport's presence in the soccer community.

For more information about Sozo and its partnership with Capelli Sport, visit  HTTP://sozofc.com and contact Sara Washburn for more information.

About Sozo:

Sozo is a leading soccer development organization committed to providing top-tier coaching, training, and resources to help players reach their full potential. With a focus on individual growth and team success, Sozo offers a comprehensive approach to player development and college recruitment.

About Capelli Sport:

Capelli Sport is an innovative brand that designs, produces, and markets sport and lifestyle products for men, women, and youth, with a strong focus on team sports, particularly soccer. The Capelli Sport brand is committed to inspiring athletes at any level by enhancing the quality and look of their products with competitive pricing. From match and training gear to lifestyle and performance apparel, Capelli Sport is dedicated to the sport, the athlete, and the product.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sozo Sports of Central Washington Welcomes Experienced Director of Coaches

Yakima, WA, May 2, 2022 - Sozo Sports of Central Washington is excited to announce the addition of Aaron Washburn as our new Director of Coaches. With a proven track record of success in coaching and leadership,  Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our premier soccer club.

As Director of Coaches,  Aaron will oversee all aspects of the coaching staff at Sozo Sports, including developing coaching strategies, providing mentorship and guidance to coaches, and ensuring the highest quality of coaching for our athletes.

"We are thrilled to have Aaron join our team at Sozo Sports," said President of the Board Doug Picatti. "His extensive experience in coaching and leadership will be invaluable to our coaches and athletes. We are confident that  Aaron will help us continue to build a culture of excellence and success at Sozo Sports."

Aaron brings over years of coaching experience, including serving as [insert previous leadership positions]. He has led teams to numerous teams to championships and awards and has a reputation for developing athletes into highly skilled competitors.

"I am honored to be joining the team at Sozo Sports of Central Washington," said Aaron Washburn.  "I am excited to work with our talented coaches to continue to elevate the level of coaching and competition at Sozo Sports."

Sozo Sports of Central Washington is a premier athletic organization dedicated to providing high-quality sports programs for youth and adults. Our mission is to inspire and develop athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the field.

For more information on Sozo Sports of Central Washington, visit our website at www.sozofc.com or contact us at info@sozosports.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sozo Partners with Trace for Revolutionary Player Development and Next-Level Coaching

Yakima, WA June 12, 2021– Sozo, a leading soccer development organization, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Trace, an innovative AI-powered camera system designed to revolutionize the way soccer games are captured and analyzed for player development and coaching.

Trace is the only camera that records soccer games automatically, providing a playlist of each player's game highlights without any filming or editing required. The state-of-the-art system utilizes wearable sensors to track each player, while the AI soccer camera captures the best angles on the field – no matter the weather conditions.

The easy-to-set-up system takes just 15 minutes to prepare, capable of recording up to three 90-minute games and capturing all angles. The package includes up to 20 sensors and sleeves for every player to wear on the back of their dominant leg, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Kerry Martin, the founder of Sozo, says this cutting-edge technology will not only help players develop but also provide them with a valuable portfolio of film to aid in the college recruiting process. "We're thrilled to partner with Trace and bring their game-changing technology to our players and coaches. This powerful tool will significantly enhance our training programs and ultimately help players reach their full potential," said Martin.

By implementing Trace's AI camera system, Sozo is positioning itself at the forefront of soccer development and coaching technology. Coaches will now be able to analyze each player's performance more effectively, leading to targeted improvements and increased overall team success. Moreover, the automatic highlight reels will make it easier for players to showcase their skills to college recruiters and professional scouts.

For more information about Sozo and its partnership with Trace, visit  Http://SozoFCom or contact  Kelly Martin, Director of Marketing

About Sozo:

Sozo is a leading soccer development organization committed to providing top-tier coaching, training, and resources to help players reach their full potential. With a focus on individual growth and team success, Sozo offers a comprehensive approach to player development and college recruitment.

About Trace:

Trace is an innovative AI-powered camera system designed to revolutionize the way soccer games are captured and analyzed for player development and coaching. With wearable sensors and automatic game recording, Trace makes it easy for coaches and players to review game footage, identify areas for improvement, and showcase skills to college recruiters and professional scouts.