Des Moines, Iowa – Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - Menace head coach, Troy McKerrell, will spend preseason with Forward Madison (USL1), as a part of USL's signature Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program: USL Forward. This multi-dimensional, leaguewide initiative prioritizes professional development for technical staff, league and club executives, and local communities to increase racial and gender diversity in leadership roles throughout the USL ecosystem.

USL Forward addresses a widely-recognized issue in global professional soccer – the lack of diversity among technical staff and executive positions. To start, USL Forward has created a new Pro Preseason Residency (PPR) Program to provide promising coaches with new, experiential opportunities to pursue their aspirations of coaching at the professional level. USL Forward also creates a platform for the USL and its member clubs to innovate and lead in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion for the betterment of the game and the industry.

With 2024 serving as its pilot year, the PPR Program is designed to identify high-performing, pro-aspiring BIPOC and women coaches and place them in a professional environment with an established curriculum. The participating coaches will receive immersive experience and real-world training as they work alongside pro-level head coaches and technical staff.

McKerrell on USL Forward:

"I look forward to serving as a role model for other Black coaches and representing the Des Moines Menace through my participation in the USL PPR Program.  I have a passion to inspire others and this is a great opportunity for me to do that, as well as illustrate the diversity of the locker rooms in the USL leagues. I'm thankful the league has selected me to participate and appreciate Forward Madison's willingness to invite me into their camp with open arms."