CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 24, 2026) – Long-time US Club Soccer Board Director Gary Buete has been appointed to the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, filling the Youth Council Representative seat previously occupied by US Club Soccer CEO Mike Cullina.  

The appointment is effective immediately, and Buete – who is also the North Carolina FC Youth CEO – will complete the remainder of Cullina’s 2-year term, which expires at the U.S. Soccer Youth Council meeting in July 2026. Cullina vacated the seat, because as a U.S. Soccer employee – under the new managed services agreements between U.S. Soccer and US Club Soccer – he is ineligible to serve on the U.S. Soccer BOD. 

Buete’s service on the US Club Soccer Board of Directors spans 10 years, beginning in 2016 when he was elected as regional director in the Southern Region. He was later re-elected for a second term, then appointed vice chair in 2018, before being elevated to chair in 2021. He continues as chair, helping guide the organization through a period of tremendous growth. 

“I’m honored and humbled to join the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. This is such an exciting time for the sport in our country and across the world with the upcoming World Cup. All eyes will be on the game, and young people will be inspired to play. With millions of players entering the game each year, we have a responsibility to ensure the pathway to play is accessible, developmentally focused, and aligns with the long-term growth of the entire sport,” said Buete. “During my time on the board, I hope to help reinforce and strengthen the connection between youth soccer and the broader national ecosystem. Youth soccer is where players first fall in love with the game, and it’s critical that we continue building positive environments that keep kids playing and benefitting at every age and stage of play. As the youth game continues to evolve, it’s important to make sure that our sport adapts and decisions are always made with a players-first mentality.” 

Buete’s soccer resume is extensive, dating back to being an All-American JUCO player at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. He coached teams while pursuing his undergraduate and master’s degrees and amassed 18 years coaching boys and girls club teams in Alabama and Louisiana. Buete joined Capital Area Soccer League in 2014 and oversaw its merger three years later with Triangle FC Alliance, which created the country’s largest youth soccer club and rebranded to North Carolina FC Youth. He now has nearly 30 years of club leadership and coaching experience and holds a U.S. Soccer National ‘A’ license. 

Buete is a trusted youth soccer leader with more than 30 years of dedicated service and impact in the game. He brings a broad perspective from a career that spans collegiate playing, elite coaching, volunteering, refereeing, league operations and executive leadership, giving him a deep understanding of the sport and the people who make it possible. 

Buete is currently the CEO of North Carolina FC Youth, one of the nation’s leading youth soccer organizations serving more than 17,000 players annually across all levels and ages of play. Since assuming leadership in 2014, he has been a visionary force behind the organization’s growth and long-term strategic direction involving field development, club mergers, and increasing access to the game. His administrative leadership also includes co-founding the Gulf States Premier League in 2011, where he served as the league’s first commissioner and helped establish a competitive platform for emerging clubs across the region. A U.S. Soccer National ‘A’ licensed coach, Buete has led teams at the club, high school and collegiate levels.