Coach Safety Check

Most parents ask about a coach’s license or record before tryouts. Fewer know there’s a free public list of adults who are suspended or restricted in U.S. Soccer and other Olympic sports.

This page shows how to search it, what the results mean, what it can’t tell you, and what to ask your club.

What SafeSport is

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit authorized by Congress to prevent and respond to abuse and misconduct in Olympic and Paralympic sport. That includes U.S. Soccer, from the national teams down to U.S. Soccer-affiliated youth clubs.

How to search the database

Open the Centralized Disciplinary Database.
Type the coach’s name. You can add a city, state or sport, but you don’t need all of them.
Check the “Action Taken” column for any match.

SafeSport suggests searching before your child starts with a new team, and checking again from time to time.

What the results mean

SafeSport defines the main labels this way:

Temporary Suspension: barred from all activity while an investigation continues.
Temporary Restriction(s): narrower limits, such as no contact with certain people. SafeSport says this “is not a finding that misconduct occurred.”
Suspension: barred for a set period after a violation was found.
Ineligible: barred “until further notice,” usually while serious criminal charges are pending.
Permanent Ineligibility: banned from Olympic and Paralympic sport for good.

Some entries also say “Subject to appeal / not yet final,” which means the decision could still change.

What the database can’t tell you

No listing doesn’t mean the coach has been checked. The database only lists adults with certain restrictions or sanctions. It isn’t a background check.
It only covers the Olympic and Paralympic system. SafeSport has no authority over groups like the NCAA or AAU, or over programs that aren’t part of that system.
Minors aren’t listed. SafeSport doesn’t publish names of anyone under 18.
Restrictions apply to activities run by U.S. Soccer or its affiliated organizations. If your child also trains privately or plays in an unaffiliated league, ask whether that program follows the same rules.

What to ask your club

Do all coaches and volunteers complete SafeSport training and background checks, and how often?
Does the club search the database before hiring and during the season?
Who do I contact with a concern, and what’s the policy on one-on-one time between adults and players?

Our coaching licenses guide covers what training a license does and doesn’t include.

How to report a concern

If a child is in danger, call 911 first. If you suspect child abuse, report it to local authorities before reporting it to SafeSport.

You can then report to SafeSport online or call 833-5US-SAFE (833-587-7233). Anyone can report, and you can report without giving your name.