Volkswagen of America is now in a landmark intergrated partnership as announced today at the Detroit Auto Show, a big step with the largest auto maker in Europe. The four year deal will be very broad reaching as they assist USSF in growing soccer into becoming the preeminent sport in the US, by increased participation, creating world class players, coaches and referees while raising the level of fan engagement for the game. This union was put to gether by SUM and present at the show were Dan Flynn CEO & Secretary General of US Soccer together with VW Group America CEO Scott Keogh. Flynn stated, "Volkswagen will be one of the most active and visible partners US Soccer has ever had." This will include branding on training tops of all US Soccer National Teams, Men's & Women's, Youth, Para 7-a-side, Beach & Futsal along with the USSDA. Keogh added, "We are absolutley thrilled about this partnership with US Soccer." Via video from her camp in Potugal, USWNT HC Jill Ellis informed that the support from VW will fund programs and assist in developing additioinal female coaches here. With 47% of players being female, an underwhelming 15% of coaches are female. She added, " We need more women in coaching. I'm looking forward to seeing results of this partnership and seeing the impact it wil have on providing more opportunities to develop female coaches in the near future." During the wind up to the World Cup, VW will be involved with the USWNT and their 10 games, 8 facing tams bound for France this summer. This wil include the She Believes Cup, and the games in Philly, Nashville, Tampa along with the trio of games in the Send-Off Series, Santa Clara, CA, St Louis & NJ. Coming years will have VW as a presenting partner in the Tournament of Nations, the high level tourney played each non Summer Olympic & WWC year next up in 2021. Gary Stevenson Prez. & Managing Dir. of MLS Business Ventures contributed, "Soccer United Marketing is proud to facillitate this multi-year partnership between US Soccer and Volkswagen."