Kynisca founder and CEO Michele Kang has committed $25 million to integrate the Kynisca Innovation Hub (KIH) into U.S. Soccer’s Soccer Forward Foundation, creating a partnership to advance research and establish global standards in women’s soccer. The integration will combine KIH’s platform – dedicated to revolutionizing how female athletes train – with Soccer Forward’s resources to accelerate advancements in women’s soccer through science, innovation, and elevated best practices. This investment represents the largest contribution to the Soccer Forward Foundation since its launch in June 2024.
“This integration represents a major step forward in advancing research and setting new standards for women’s sports,” said Kang. “By working together, we are ensuring that players at all levels benefit from innovative insights and best practices. Women’s soccer is experiencing historic growth, but there’s still work to be done to break down systemic barriers and secure the investment needed for female athletes. Kynisca remains committed to revolutionizing how we train female athletes and will continue to invest in the people, organizations, and technology that will transform the women’s game.”
Originally launched in July 2024 during the Summer Olympics in Paris, Kynisca and KIH were established as the first multi-team global organization dedicated to women’s soccer. As KIH began operations, it became clear that joining forces with U.S. Soccer’s Soccer Forward Foundation would allow it to scale its reach and impact more quickly.
The collaboration will directly support two key objectives:
- Groundbreaking research and solution-oriented initiatives to further the development of positive health outcomes for the sport
- Establishment and implementation of standards and best practices for women’s soccer performance and development of the game worldwide
“This partnership is key in accelerating our in service to soccer strategy,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “At U.S. Soccer, we believe soccer is a force for good, and the Soccer Forward Foundation exists to collaborate with those driving meaningful progress. Kynisca Innovation Hub and Soccer Forward share a mission to advance women’s soccer, and by combining efforts, we’re creating an unmatched platform for research, innovation, and long-term impact.”
The partnership will enhance existing initiatives by leveraging KIH’s expertise to optimize the female performance ecosystem specifically tailored to the needs of female athletes. Research findings will be implemented globally, ensuring that best practices reflect the latest scientific insights.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone emphasized the importance of the partnership: “The U.S. has always been a leader in women’s soccer, and this partnership helps ensure we remain at the forefront of progress as the sport continues to grow around the world. By integrating Kynisca Innovation Hub talent into Soccer Forward, we can drive real change through research-backed standards that support players at every level. We’re delighted to further our partnership with Michele Kang and for her continued commitment to advancing the women’s game.”
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes highlighted the initiative’s potential impact: “As we continue to look at soccer through a female lens, this partnership will be a game changer for the future of women’s soccer. This initiative will not only help us do important work to better understand the health of female athletes, but it will impact the support and resources across all aspects of the women’s game. We want to help our players perform at their best and ensure they have everything they need, both on and off the field, to help them reach their potential as elite female athletes.”
The $25 million investment builds upon Kang’s initial $30 million gift to U.S. Soccer announced in November 2024, which remains dedicated to supporting The U.S. Way’s women’s pathways, infrastructure, and professional development programs.
