CHICAGO (April 5, 2021)—As part of its continuing efforts as a leader in player safety, U.S. Soccer will implement concussion substitutions in 2021. The new rule allows teams to make two concussion substitutes to replace players with head injuries, regardless of the number of substitutions already used.
U.S. Soccer, alongside a concussion task force composed of sporting and medical leaders from Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, the United Soccer League and the National Independent Soccer Association, agreed to implement the rule collaboratively across the sport in the United States.
“Adopting this new rule is an important step as we continue to lead the way in player safety,” said U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Chiampas. “It was critical to come together as a sport with our professional leagues and proceed in this pilot program, prioritizing the well-being of our players above all. We’ve worked hard to raise awareness of head injuries in soccer over the last several years, and this change should go a long way in protecting players suspected of suffering a concussion.”
U.S. Soccer already implemented the new concussion substitution rule for the first time during the 2021 SheBelieves Cup this past February in Orlando, Fla..CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE