U.S. soccer launches women’s sports science initiative

U.S. Soccer has launched the Kang Women’s Institute, a pioneering initiative aimed at advancing women’s soccer through research, science and innovation. Funded by major investments from business leader and women’s sports advocate Michele Kang, the institute will address longstanding gaps in sports science, where only 6% of research focuses exclusively on women. “For too long, women have trained, played and recovered using models built for men,” Kang said. “That ends now.” The new platform will develop standards for training, health and performance to better support women athletes. The institute expands on Kang’s significant recent contributions to U.S. Soccer, including more than $55 million toward youth development, professional pathways and research. Early projects include a national study on the needs of women athletes ahead of the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups.