HONDA SYMPOSIUM

The only event of its kind, the Honda Symposium provides an open forum for current and former players, coaches and executives to speak candidly about current issues in the game, and generates a significant amount of media attention in the U.S. and around the world.
Created in 1998 by Fútbol de Primera and sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., the Honda Symposium in its history has attracted an impressive list of the most influential people in the world of soccer and as a result has become a can't-miss date on the soccer calendar.

2007 Honda Symposium:

• Bob Bradley
  Head Coach of the U.S. National Team
  “The New Generation of U.S. Soccer and his Approach to Making the Most Competitive U.S. National Team.”


• Decio de Maria
  General Secretary of the Mexican Football Federation
  "The Internationalization of Mexican Football: Present and Future."


• Alexi Lalas
  President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy
  "The Impact of David Beckham on Soccer in the MLS; the State of the League Before and After his Arrival."

2006 Honda Symposium:

• Sunil Gulati
  President of U.S. Soccer
  “The Present and Future of U.S. Soccer: The Professional Game and Its Domestic and International Aspects. The Federation and Its Relationship with the Hispanic Community.”


• Federico Addiechi
  FIFA's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility
  "FIFA and Football's Social Responsibility: Social Development through Football. The Football for Hope Movement. Football's Contribution to Building a Better Future."

2005 Honda Symposium:

• Bruce Arena
  Manager and Technical Director of the U.S. National Team
  "The Evolution of the U.S. National Team Since 1998. The Expansion of the National Team Player Pool. The Process of Preparing the U.S. National Team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup."


• Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia
  President of U.S. Soccer
  "U.S. Soccer Over the Last Eight Years: Its Role In the Future of the Game. The Impact of Its Player Development and Youth Programs."


• Antonio Cué
  President and co-investor-operator of Club Deportivo Chivas USA
  "Chivas USA: Reflections on Running an Expansion Team During Its Inaugural Season. The Challenge of Marketing A New Team in the Los Angeles Area. The Expectations for 2006."


• Jesús "Chucho"
Ramirez
Head Coach of Mexico's U-17 National Team
"Mexico's Victory in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship: The Inside Story of Mexico's First Champhionship in a FIFA Competition at Any Age Level. A Look at the Future of Mexico's Youth National Team Program."

2004 Honda Symposium:

• Danny Jordaan
  CEO of the South Africa 2010 Bid Company
  "The First FIFA World Cup in Africa: The Successful Bid & Our Expectations for 2010"


• Jorge Vergara
  President of Club Deportivo Guadalajara
  "Chivas USA: Goals for 2005 and Beyond"


• Special Presentation:
  Once Caldas of Colombia
  
• Special Presentation:
  Jesús Martínez: President of Club de Fútbol Pachuca

2003 Honda Symposium:

• Chuck Blazer
  General Secretary of CONCACAF
  "CONCACAF in the New Millennium: Thoughts on a New International Calendar and Integration with CONMEBOL"
• Don Garber
  Commissioner of Major League Soccer
  "An Introspective Look at MLS"
• Guillermo Cañedo White
  Member of the CONCACAF Executive Committee
  "Mexico and Its Role in CONCACAF"
• Special Presentation:
  Marcelo Balboa: 13-year veteran of the U.S. National Team

2002 Honda Symposium:

• Tim Leiweke
  President of Anschutz Entertainment Group
  "AEG & The Future of Professional Soccer in the U.S."
• Angel María Villar Llona
  President of the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) and a Vice-President of FIFA
  "The Next 4 Years in World Soccer: Thoughts and Expectations"
• Steve Sampson
  Head Coach of Costa Rica's National Team
• Hermes Navarro
  President of the Costa Rican Soccer Federation
• Special Presentations:
  Carlos Hermosillo: One of Mexico's Greatest Players Ever
  Clayton "Clay" Berling: Founder of Soccer America magazine

2001 Honda Symposium:

• Sunil Gulati
  Executive Vice President of U.S. Soccer
  "U.S. Soccer in the New Milennium"
• Javier Aguirre
  Head Coach of Mexico's National Team
  "Rebuilding Mexico's National Team Program"
• Special Presentation:
  Paul Caligiuri: 14-year veteran of the U.S. National Team

• Alan Rothenberg
  President of the US Soccer Federation 1990-98, Chairman and CEO of World Cup 1994, and Founder and Chairman of Major League Soccer
  "U.S. Soccer: Past, Present and Future"
• Julio Grondona
  FIFA Senior Vice President
  "FIFA and Its View of US Soccer over the Years" and "The Changing Role of Club Officials."
• Jaime Rodriguez
  Coach of Alianza (El Salvador) and Participant in the 1982 World Cup
  "El Salvador: 10 Years Behind Costa Rica and Honduras"
• Special Presentation:
  Michelle Akers: The Best Female Player Ever

• Dr. Michel D'Hooghe
  FIFA Executive Committee Member and Chairman of FIFA Medical Commission
  "Socio-Economic Aspects in Soccer" and "The Position of FIFA Toward Doping"
• Marcelo Bielsa
  Coach of Argentina's National Team
  "A Program for the Development of Future Professional Soccer Players"
• Keith Cooper
  FIFA Director of Communications
  "2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan: Co-Hosting Challenges and Difficulties."

• Steve Sampson
  Former US National Team Coach
  "US Soccer: Perception vs. Reality"
• Dr. Bert Mandelbaum
  Physician, US National Team
  "Health & Safety Concerns in Soccer"
• Roberto Arzu
  President, Guatemalan National Teams Committee
  "CONCACAF: Closing the Competition Gap"
• Bora Milutinovic
  Former US National Team Coach
  "National Team Preparation: Solving the Puzzle"