FOUR U.S. SOCCER DISABILITY NATIONAL TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN FOURTH ANNUAL ADAPTandTHRIVE INVITATIONAL, PRESENTED BY HALEON, FROM MARCH 19-23 IN FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA
Deaf WNT and MNT Join CP WNT and Power National Team for Simultaneous Training Camps;
American Amputee Soccer Association, CP Soccer and Atlanta United Unified Will Also Take Part;
United Adaptive Soccer Association and USA Deaf Soccer to Host Clinics During the Weekend
CHICAGO (March 13, 2025) – Continuing in its mission to celebrate the game in all its forms, U.S. Soccer will host the fourth annual ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational, presented by Haleon, from March 19-23 in Fayetteville, Ga., soon to be the home of the U.S. Soccer Arthur M. Blank National Training Center.
The event will feature the three-time World Champion and four-time Deaflympic gold medalist U.S. Women’s Deaf National Team, the 2024 Deaf Pan American Games bronze medalist U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team, 2024 IFCPF World Cup runner-up U.S. Women’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team and 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup bronze medalist U.S. Power Soccer National Team as they continue preparations for premier international tournaments and matches later this year.
The four Extended National Teams will be joined by some of the Federation’s Disability Soccer Organizations, including the American Amputee Soccer Association, CP Soccer and Atlanta United Unified, in coordination with Special Olympics North America. Additionally, the United Adaptive Soccer Association will host a clinic on Friday, March 21 and USA Deaf Soccer Association will host a clinic on Saturday, March 22 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville.
“The ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational is a unique focal point for many of our Extended National Teams,” said U.S. Soccer Head of Extended National Teams, Stuart Sharp. “Each year, the Invitational evolves, and I’m especially excited about the continued emphasis on U.S. Soccer Member Organizations in this edition. Beyond serving as a valuable training opportunity for our elite athletes, it strengthens connections across our national teams and allows players to show their support for our Members’ grassroots initiatives. Seeing this event come together is always inspiring and represents an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to grow all forms of the game in the U.S.”
“Here at Haleon, we have a social impact goal on health inclusivity to empower millions of people a year to be more included in opportunities for better everyday health,” said Amy Reibrich, Head of Shopper Engagement. “We want to help as many people as possible to enjoy better everyday health, and we’re honored to sponsor the ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational which we see as an ideal opportunity for Haleon to meaningfully support athletes of all abilities.”
Created to showcase and unite adaptive versions of the game, the inaugural ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational was held in January 2022 in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., followed by the second edition in Chula Vista, Calif in March 2023 and last year’s event in Rome, Ga.
In total, 62 elite athletes representing 23 different states have been selected by the respective National Teams’ coaching staffs for this unique training camp, with each squad kicking off a busy year this month in Fayetteville, Ga. The four rosters are below.
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The U.S. Women’s and Men’s Deaf National Teams feature Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Under international criteria, players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their better ear. All players competing in Deaf international matches must remove all hearing aids before playing. Both teams will use this year’s ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational to kickoff preparation for the ICSD Deaflympics to be held Nov. 14-25 in Tokyo, Japan.
U.S. WOMEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER (Hometown; Caps/Goals):
(Training March 19-22 at McCurry Park; Fayetteville, Ga.)
GOALKEEPER (1): Payton DeGraw* (Salt Lake City, Utah; 5/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Sydney Andrews* (Wichita, Kan.; 30/1), Paige Beaudry* (Riverview, Mich.; 12/1), Blakely Bourke (Snoqualmie, Wash; 0/0), Casey King* (Bexley, Ohio; 8/5), Melia Lenert (Long Beach, Calif.; 2/0), Chelsey Tumey (Peoria, Ariz.; 2/0), Faith Wylie* (Decatur, Texas; 13/6)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Erin Cembrale* (Oyster Bay, N.Y.; 13/5), Gracie Fitzgerald* (Georgetown, Ind; 20/4), Holly Hunter* (Temecula, Calif; 6/7), Ani Khachadourian* (Cary, N.C.; 10/8), Tia LaBrecque (Raynham, Mass.; 2/1), Paris Price* (Fall City, Wash.; 14/2), Sabina Shysh* (Tucson, Ariz; 4/1), Kate Ward (Atlanta, Ga.; 31/8), Mia White* (Littleton, Colo.; 14/1)
FORWARDS (3): Josephine Blazic (East Tawas, Mich.; 1/1), Marissa Garate (Tucson, Ariz.; 0/0), Sophie Post* (Murry, Utah; 14/9)
Head Coach: Amy Griffin
*Part of 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championships roster
ADDITIONAL ROSTER NOTES:
- Thirteen players were part of the 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championship squad.
- Team co-captain Kate Ward hails from Atlanta and is the Deaf WNT’s all-time cap leader with 31 appearances since 2009.
- Fellow co-captain Sydney Andrews won U.S. Soccer’s 2024 Women’s Deaf Player of the Year award.
- The 20 players represent 13 different states: Arizona (3), California (2), Michigan (2), Utah (2), Washington (2), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Massachusetts (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Texas (1).
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U.S. MEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER (Hometown):
(Training March 19-22 at McCurry Park; Fayetteville, Ga.)
GOALKEEPERS (2): Sam Lang*^ (Fort Thomas, Ky.), Ethan Sullivan (Laguna Niguel, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (3): Brian Espanto (Tacoma, Wash.), Kevin Fitzpatrick*^ (Hopatcong, N.J.), Luke Haubruge*^ (San Marcos, Calif.)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Braden Anderson*^ (Boise, Idaho), Dawson Anderson*^ (Boise, Idaho), Aidan Burns^ (Cornwall, N.Y.), JP Kanashiro*^ (Springfield, Va.), Noah Kapustka (Lakewood, Colo.), Stokes Karp (Framingham, Mass.), Hewit Keeler (Fredricksburg, Va.), Tate Lancaster*^ (Overland Park, Kan.), Kyle Santello (Venice, Fla.), Raul Silva*^ (San Diego, Calif.)
FORWARDS (5): Samson Abraham^ (Seattle, Wash.), Chris Bourdon*^ (San Diego, Calif.), Jacob Contreras (Tucson, Ariz.), Daniel De Moura^ (Holliston, Mass.), Bennett Haas^ (Sewickley, Pa.)
Head Coach: Everett Palache
*Part of 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championships roster
^Part of 2024 Deaf Pan American Games roster
ADDITIONAL ROSTER NOTES:
- Nine players were part of the 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championship squad in Malaysia and 13 helped the Deaf MNT win bronze at the 2024 Deaf Pan American Games in Brazil.
- The squad features U.S. Soccer’s 2024 Male Deaf Player of the Year Kevin Fitzpatrick.
- The 20 players represent 13 different states: California (4), Idaho (2), Massachusetts (2), Virginia (2), Washington (2), Arizona (1), Colorado (1), Florida (1), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1).
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The U.S. Women’s CP National Team features athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury. The women’s discipline is a 5v5 game, played on a field that is 40 meters long and 27 meters wide. Finalists at the 2024 IFCPF World Cup last November, the CP WNT will use the ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational to prepare for the first-ever IFCPF women’s intercontinental competition this summer in Europe.
WATCH: What is CP Soccer?
U.S. WOMEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER (Hometown; Caps/Goals):
(March 19-22 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga.)
GOALKEEPERS (2): Echo Yale^ (Framingham, Mass; 0/0), Annie Wickett* (Frederick, Md.; 11/10)
DEFENDERS (2): Cassidy Leake*^ (Murietta, Calif.; 9/14), Joey Martin*^ (Smyrna, Ga.; 7/8)
MIDFIELDERS (3): Madison Hahs (West Grove, Pa.; 2/2), Kaia Spencer*^ (Maple Valley, Wash; 7/11), Isabella Stankunas*^ (Trappe, Pa.; 5/5)
FORWARDS (3): Leah Glaser*^ (Montclair, N.J.; 11/6), Emeril Gordon^ (Austell, Ga.; 2/2), Jesslyn Kuhnel*^ (Panama City, Fla. 10/10)
^Part of 2024 ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational
*Part of 2024 IFCPF World Cup Roster
Head Coach: Tricia Taliaferro
ADDITIONAL ROSTER NOTES:
- Seven players were part of the 2024 World Cup roster and eight players took part in the 2024 ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational.
- The squad features 2024 Women’s CP Player of the Year Cassidy Leake.
- The roster features players from eight different states: Georgia and Pennsylvania (2 each), California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington (1 each).
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The U.S. Power Soccer National Team features female and male athletes with disabilities that include quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, among others. Played 4v4 in a gymnasium, it is the first competitive team sport developed specifically for power wheelchair users. The 2025 ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational is the team’s first gathering of an important year that will see the squad compete at the FIPFA Copa America this November, which will serve as the region’s qualifying tournament for next year’s FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup in Argentina.
WATCH: What is Power Soccer?
U.S. POWER SOCCER NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER (USPSA Club; Hometown; Caps/Goals):
(March 19-23 at St. Paul Lutheran School; Peachtree City, Ga.)
GOALKEEPER (1): Nathan Mayer*^ (Minnesota Shockwave; Monticello, Minn.; 22/2)
WINGS (6): Jada Cano (STRAPS Scorpions; Spring Beach, Texas; 0/0), Ryan Connolly (LA Galaxy PSC; San Jose, Calif.; 0/0), Lexi Heer*^ (RHI Sudden Impact; Fishers, Ind.; 18/9), Lindsay Muench^ (Minnesota Shockwave; Campbellsport, Wis; 0/0), Michael Rayton^ (San Jose Flash; San Jose, Calif.; 0/0), Chad Wilson^ (Minnesota Shockwave; Chanhassan, Minn.; 0/0)
CENTERS (3): Jordan Dickey*^ (RHI Sudden Impact; Pendleton, Ind.; 27/18), David Dowling^ (Turnstone Flyers; Fort Wayne, Ind.; 0/0), Riley Johnson*^ (Minnesota Shockwave; Saint Cloud, Minn.; 20/15)
STRIKERS (2): Zach Dickey* (Auburn PSC; Pendleton, Ind.; 10/3), Pete Winslow*^ (Minnesota Shockwave; Woodbury, Minn.; 14/6)
*Part of 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup Squad
^Part of 2024 ADAPTandTHRIVE Invitational
Head Coach: Tracy Mayer
ADDITIONAL ROSTER NOTES:
- Six players took part in the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup and nine participated in the 2024 ADAPTandTHRIVE
- The roster features U.S. Soccer’s two-time Power Soccer Player of the Year, Riley Johnson.
- The 12 athletes represent five different states: Indiana (4), Minnesota (4), California (2), Texas (1), Wisconsin (1).
- Seven USPSA clubs are also represented: Minnesota Shockwave (5), RHI Sudden Impact (2), Auburn PSC (1) LA Galaxy PSC (1), San Jose Flash (1), STRAPS Scorpions (1), Turnstone Flyers (1).
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About USA Deaf Soccer Association
(Youth Clinic: March 22 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga.; 9-11 a.m. ET)
The USA Deaf Soccer Association serves as the governing body for Deaf Soccer in the United States and began sending national teams to international competition in 1965. In 2022, the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Deaf National Teams joined U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams program and went to their first competition under the Federation at the 2023 DIFA World Deaf Football Championships in Malaysia.
About American Amputee Soccer Association
(Training Camp: March 21-23 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga.)
The American Amputee Soccer Association has dual missions. The first is to promote and develop the sport for the benefit of participants with limb differences, and grow the sport for juniors and adults and for women and men. AASA looks to accomplish this through outreach programs at the local levels to help interested players become introduced to the sport, maximize their proficiency, build self-confidence, learn the power of teamwork and build a strong social network. The second mission is to select, develop and train the elite amputee soccer athlete to represent the United States in international competition. The United States National Amputee Soccer Team is managed by the American Amputee Soccer Association and competes internationally in the World Amputee Football Federation. For more information, please visit usampsoccer.org.
About Atlanta United Unified Team
(Training Camp: March 22 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga. )
Launched in 2017, the Atlanta United Unified Team is a team of athletes (those with intellectual disabilities) and partners (those without intellectual disabilities) that come together to play soccer in an inclusive manner. Throughout the year, the Unified Team will play against other MLS Unified teams and be given a professional team treatment with training, travel, and coverage. The Atlanta United Unified team is closely tied to the first team with players serving as First Team Unified Ambassadors, attending practices and cheer the Unified Team on at matches.
About CP Soccer
(Training Camp: March 20-23 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga.)
CP Soccer’s mission is to build a nationwide soccer league for kids who are affected by cerebral palsy, stroke or traumatic brain injury. This is important because most kids who would qualify for CP Soccer find they are not capable enough to continue playing on competitive teams as they grow older and the level of play rises. They can’t keep up with able-bodied peers, so they end up being pushed out of the sport. By creating a national league, we are building a way for these kids to keep soccer in their lives. CP Soccer launched in the New York metro area in 2017 and has expanded to have 13 teams throughout the United States. For more information, please visit cpsoccer.us.
About United Adaptive Soccer Association
(Clinic: March 21 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga.; Time: 4-6 p.m. ET)
United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA) was founded in 2023 by a group of like-minded individuals with the intent to “move the needle” for accessibility in soccer. Composed of eight different disability soccer organizations serving players of varying abilities and competition levels, UASA endeavors to provide opportunities to and advocate for soccer players with disabilities never before seen in the American soccer community. We are inclusive of all ages, races, gender identities, and abilities regardless of one’s category and impact of disability. Every player deserves to participate in a way that is meaningful and realistic.
