Mana Shim named chair of U.S. Soccer Participant Safety Taskforce

U.S. Soccer announced Monday that Mana Shim has been named chair of its Participant Safety Taskforce.

Shim’s appointment can serve as a beacon, as the former NWSL player’s persistent bravery in reporting sexual abuse led to a groundbreaking investigation into corruption and abuse in women’s soccer.

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Shim, 31, was one of the players emotionally and sexually abused by former Portland Thorns coach Paul Riley and her reporting the issue was mishandled by her club and the National Women’s Soccer League.

The taskforce was formed after U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates’s independent investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer

Shim says, “There’s no time to waste” in reforming the culture of U.S. Soccer.

Sally Yates’s report made it clear that, for far too long, leaders across the soccer ecosystem – including at U.S. Soccer – have not taken responsibility for protecting players. But I believe in the capacity for change. As leader of the Taskforce, I am committed to ensuring not only that Yates’s recommendations are implemented, but that we push beyond them. We need to find the root causes of our sport’s systemic failures and take action at every level – from the youth game to the professional game.

I have a new job: I'm going to work at U.S. Soccer as the chair of its new Participant Safety Taskforce. We still have so much work to do! LFG.

Here’s my full statement: pic.twitter.com/wtj2BrMr8f

— Mana Shim (@meleanashim) October 31, 2022

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