COLLEGE PARK — The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism presents its 20th annual Povich Symposium, which will feature Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, U.S. men’s national team legend Cobi Jones and Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer Taylor Twellman.
“Soccer in the USA: World Cup ’26 and Beyond” will welcome American soccer leaders and media members to discuss where the sport stands in the United States — and where it is headed.
This year's Povich Symposium, which will feature two panels, will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Riggs Alumni Center. The conversations also will be streamed live on the Merrill College YouTube page.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required and seating is limited. Register at go.umd.edu/Povich2025
The first panel will feature Don Garber, commissioner of Major League Soccer, in conversation with John Ourand ’89, sports media reporter for Puck.
The second panel will include:
- Taylor Twellman, soccer commentator and Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer
- Cobi Jones, soccer commentator and former USMNT midfielder
- Steven Goff, Yahoo Sports soccer writer
- Sasho Cirovski, Maryland men's soccer coach
The discussion will be moderated by Emily Olsen ’17, head of global women's soccer for The Athletic.
“Over the last 20 years, the Povich Symposium has been a forum for discussion of the most timely issues in sports. This year, that topic is World Cup. We're excited to host MLS Commissioner Don Garber and an esteemed group of soccer thought leaders in conversation about the first men's World Cup on American soil since 1994 and — of course — the state of the game in the U.S.,” said Mark Hyman, Merrill College’s George Solomon Chair in Sports Journalism and director of the Povich Center.
The event also complements the Povich Center's upcoming study abroad program, which will take 24 students to London in January to report on the expanding influence of Americans on the global game.
The first panel will begin promptly at 6 p.m., with the second to immediately follow. A reception will be held at 5 p.m. with drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
For more information, contact Kate Yanchulis, assistant director, The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism, at povichcenter@umd.edu.
About The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism
The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism prepares students to be innovators and leaders in all facets of sports media. The center's unique, experiential curriculum and public programs elevate and amplify discussion of race, gender, politics and the world — just as Shirley Povich did each morning in The Washington Post.