Indiana Soccer & USA of Indiana

USA of Indiana Designated Indiana Soccer 5-Star Club in March 2025

"The purpose of the 5 Star Program is to ensure legal compliance, and increase the capacity and quality of member clubs. The association guides Member Clubs to perform with excellence in the fundamental areas to meet the criteria established to earn 'stars' in those areas."


Governance, Alignment, Marketing/Communication, Risk Management, & Education are the five components of this distinction, which marks USA of Indiana as a club committed to upholding Indiana Soccer standards, quality leadership, robust communication, health and safety, and club-wide education.


Learn more about Indiana Soccer's 5 Star Program, including a list of all 5 Star Clubs, here.

USA of Indiana-Affiliated Recipients of Indiana Soccer Awards

2025

Recreational Coach of the Year Finalist

Valerie Dennis - Valerie has been a dedicated volunteer coach for the Community Recreation League for many years. Coach Valerie emphasizes the principle of "everyone plays" during each training session and match. Both players and fellow coaches view her as a role model. Other coaches have often sought her advice, and parents have expressed their appreciation, stating, "She's one of my favorite Rec coaches." One parent remarked, "Coach Val is amazing. She always tries to teach each child individually, as well as in group settings. She incorporates life skills into her practices and discussions with the players.

Youth Manager of the Year Finalist

Bilen "Blaine" Mulugeta - We want to recognize Bilen for her hard work with the 2018-2017-2016-2015 Boys Travel Academy and the USAI 2011B White ISL team. She is the Team Manager for eleven travel teams, including a top U14 ISL team, and four U8, three U9, and three U10 ISL/CNC teams. Bilen spends many hours on tasks like organizing tournaments, sending emails, and assisting at practices and games. She also translates for families in African languages and Spanish and helps them find resources. Parents rely on her for guidance, and she is always ready to help with enrollment and volunteering. She helps parents enroll and sign up to volunteer.

Young Male Referee of the Year Award

Fernando Flores - Fernando grew up in Speedway, Indiana, playing soccer since he was nine years old. He loved the game and continued playing through college, where he decided to pursue a career in sports. In 2022, he became a USSF licensed official. Although he didn't expect to go far in this path, he was motivated by the feedback he received after each game and wanted to improve by learning from top referees. Now, Fernando truly enjoys being a referee and aims to become one of the best in the state. Currently, he is a certified USSF and IHSAA soccer referee and hopes to earn NISOA and ECSR licenses in the future.

2025

Hall of Fame Inductee

Ray Gaddis - Gaddis, a North Central High School alum and member of the Indy Burn 1990 Eagles (now known as USA of Indiana), played collegiately at West Virginia University before being selected 35th in the 2012 MLS Super Draft by Philadelphia. He was recognized by earning the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Male Athlete of the Year. In August 2018, Gaddis became the Union's all-time leader in minutes played after a home win against New England Revolution. Gaddis appeared in 227 matches for Philadelphia, concluding his career with Cincinnati in 2024. Gaddis was the 2020-2021 recipient of the Jerry Yeagley Award for Exceptional Personal Achievement from the United Soccer Coaches. Read more.

Hall of Fame Inductee

Matthew Hedges - Hedges, a Carmel High School graduate, and member of the Indy Burn 1990 Eagles (now known as USA of Indiana), is a professional soccer player who currently plays as a center back for MLS side Austin FC. Hedges is considered one of the better defenders in the MLS since being drafted 11th in 2014 Super Draft for FC Dallas. He earned MLS Best IX honors in 2015 and 2016, while winning the MLS Defender of the Year Award in 2016. Hedges made his United States Men's National Team debut on February 8, 2015, against Panama. He was selected for the USMNT squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning team. Overall, Hedges won a US Open Cup; MLS Supports' Shield; earned 5 USMNT caps; an NCAA Championship. Read more.

Hall of Fame Inductee

Perry Kitchen - Kitchen, played with the Chicago Magic and the Indy Burn 1990 Eagles (now known as USA of Indiana) prior to moving to Bradenton, Florida for a two-year residency with the USMNT U17 team. A defensive midfielder that was part of the 2010 NCAA Men's Championship team at Akron University. He was the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 MLS Super Draft pick of DC United. Kitchen captained the USMNT U17 team at the 2009 FIFAQ U17 World Cup in Nigeria. He also joined the USMNT U20's as well. His career included 5 USMNT caps; a US Open Cup Championship; participation in the Danish Superliga (Randers) and Scottish (Hearts of Midlothian); serving as a member of the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew teams. Read more.

2024

Director of Coaching of the Year

Nick Swaim - former USA of Indiana Coach

Hall of Fame Inductee

Isang Jacob - Read more here.

2022

Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award

Mike Sanich

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Cary Wagner

Hall of Fame Inductee

Rob Jordan - former USA of Indiana Coach

2020

Male Referee of the Year

Nabil Bensalah

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Ian Scott

Girls & Boys Rec Coach of the Year

Jasmine Moses

Hall of Fame Inductee

Lori Lindsey - Read more here.

Girls Travel Coach of the Year

Rob Jordan

Theron Smith

2018

Male Referee of the Year

Youssef Elmessoussi

Hall of Fame Inductee

John Carter - Read more here.

Girls & Boys Rec Coach of the Year

Katie Sommers

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Vangel Nacovski - former USA of Indiana Coach

2017

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Roberto Cuiriz

Director of Coaching of the Year

Ian Scott

2016

Youth Administrator of the Year

Amber Cremeens

2015

Girls & Boys Rec Coach of the Year

AJ Mcadams

Hall of Fame Inductee

Vince Ganzberg - Read more here

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Vangel Nacovski - former USA of Indiana coach

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Ana Gallagos-Adams

2014

Young Male Referee of the Year

Nabil Bensalah

Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award

Bill Walters

2012

Hall of Fame Inductee

Phil Orlando

2011

Young Male Referee of the Year

Matthew O'Dell

2010

Hall of Fame Inductee

Dan Kapsalis - Read more here

2009

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Dan Murphy

Youth Manager of the Year

Cathy McGrath

Carson Lifetime Achievement Award

Dave Howard

2008

Young Male Referee of the Year

Brian Malone

Youth Administrator of the Year

Carol Banta

Young Female Referee of the Year

Kiersten Walters

Girls Travel Coach of the Year

PJ Orlando

2007

Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award

Juniclei Miranda

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Isang Jacob

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Roger Lucas

2006

Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award

Thomas Geisse

Youth Manager of the Year

Elvira Whitataker

2005

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Terrell Jackson

2004

Young Male Referee of the Year

Daniel Loyal

2003

Male Referee of the Year

Brock Howard

Boys Travel Coach of the Year

Isang Jacob

2001

Young Male Referee of the Year

Nicholas J. Hannah

Girls Travel Coach of the Year

Dr. Tom Davis

1996

Jay Fredrich Good of Soccer Award

Kapsalis Family

1989

Girls Travel Coach of the Year

Rick Robinson

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