Surviving American Lower League Soccer Is SO HARD (But Worth It) | Art Auchenbach, President of Reading United AC

Local, community level soccer has been present in the United States for over 100 years. Sometimes comfortably, often struggling, and rarely thriving, there have been a number of factors - economic, social, and organizational - that have brought the US lower league soccer scene to where it is today.In Episode 59 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Art Auchenbach, President of Reading United AC, a USL 2 and WPSL soccer club outside of Philadelphia USA. He was named Philly Soccer Page Executive of the Year for the Greater Philadelphia area in 2012 and 2013. In 2009, he coordinated a partnership between Philadelphia Union MLS soccer and Reading United.Art has been a local leader in the Berks County, Greater Philadelphia soccer community for 18 years and has had firsthand experience of what works and what doesn't.This conversation takes a close look at the social and commercial realities of community soccer in the US, including Art's critiques of the current soccer system for both men and women in the US, and what he would change. He talks about how the club appeals to local businesses to invest in their program, why they struggle to attract youth soccer families in a competitive and over scheduled market, and why Reading United AC's relatively new women's program may have a brighter future than the men's.Surprisingly, Art's nearly two decades of leading the club has made him a cautious skeptic of whether the Promotion/Relegation system can work in the US, and he shares his reasoning with us. He also shares how being a fan of Derby County formed his passion for soccer, and who is in his All-Time 5-A-Side team!Whether you are a veteran of the US soccer system or an outsider eager to gain more insight, Art's candid and tested perspectives make a fascinating listen!Connect with Art Auchenbach HERE:Email: art [at] readingunitedac.comLinkedInReading United Foundation WebsiteReading United AC WebsiteFind out more about Because Football:LinkedInYouTubeInstagram