The Sports Authority was named the official sporting goods retailer of US Youth Soccer Unique membership discount card will be available to all US Youth Soccer members. This is the first time US Youth Soccer and Sports Authority have partnered together.

Sports Authority will be featured on USYouthSoccer.org and at US Youth Soccer events. Related member benefits will also be communicated through the US Youth Soccer e-newsletters. US Youth Soccer marks will be included in select Sports Authority weekly print advertisements and in-store displays to promote the sponsorship.

The signature program through the partnership is the US Youth Soccer Sports Authority Membership Card program. Over 2 million US Youth Soccer members households will receive the reusable discount card. Members will also be eligible for seasonal bonus discounts available only to US Youth Soccer cardholders.

“We are happy to have Sports Authority join our sponsor family and assist our members with discounts and access to products they use to further their games and pursue their dreams,” said Larry Monaco, president of US Youth Soccer. “US Youth Soccer strives to create benefits that assist our membership and we know families can use the reduced costs offered by our new partner.”

The first member benefit will be in US Youth Soccer member mailboxes this week and will highlight an exclusive contest sponsored by Sports Authority and adidas sending one lucky winner to 2010 FIFA World Cup to be an official FIFA Flag Bearer.

US Youth Soccer players, administrators, volunteers and referees will also have the opportunity to receive membership cards at US Youth Soccer events throughout the year. Events include Kohl’s American Cup, US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop, Youth Soccer Month and others.

“We are very excited to be the official sporting goods retailer of US Youth Soccer,” said Jeff Schumacher, Chief Marketing Officer of Sports Authority. “This partnership has long-lasting potential because we share the passion for our nation’s youth being active in sports, promoting the development of a healthy lifestyle, and the growth of soccer in the U.S. We look forward to providing great value to US Youth Soccer members for years to come.”