Avon native Dan Helfrich will be inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in March. (Photo courtesy U.S. Soccer)
Avon native Dan Helfrich will be inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in a March ceremony at the Double Tree Hotel in Bristol. Helfrich, the current Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Soccer, leads eight new members into the Class of 2027.
“Dan Helfrich has enjoyed tremendous success as a player and administrator,” said Bill Duffy, President of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. “He has reached the highest level of American soccer and is now the leading voice at U.S. Soccer.”
Helfrich has enjoyed a distinguished career in soccer as a player, leader, and administrator. Since 2025, he has served as Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Soccer, contributing to the leadership and operations of the sport at the national level.
Helfrich’s soccer accomplishments began in Connecticut, where he learned the game in the Avon youth soccer program. From Avon, he joined Oakwood Soccer Club where he played on U14 through U19 teams.
With Oakwood, he won five Connecticut State Open Cup championships, finished third at the 1990 National Indoor Championships, and reached the Region 1 final in 1992. He also represented Connecticut in the Olympic Development Program.
At Loomis Chaffee in Windsor, he helped lead his team to the 1993 New England Prep School Championship and earned NSCAA/Umbro All-American honors and Gatorade Connecticut Boys Player of the Year recognition that same year. In 2015, Loomis Chaffee dedicated Helfrich Field to honor the lasting legacy of the Helfrich family.
At Georgetown University, where he played from 1994 to 1997, Helfrich helped the Hoyas win the Big East regular-season title and make the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance in 1994.
Helfrich continues to be the radio voice of Georgetown men’s soccer, broadcasting games for his alma mater, who are currently the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
After a successful career as CEO and Chair at Deloitte Consulting, Helfrich followed his passion and signed on with US Soccer in 2025. He has taken on the enormous project of consolidating soccer at all levels in America to streamline the effort to improve our national teams and compete at a higher level internationally.
“Soccer has been a defining part of my life for more than 40 years, as a player, fan, broadcaster, volunteer, and parent,” said Helfrich in 2025 when he was named Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Soccer. “And now is the right time for me to focus my career here during this pivotal time for the sport in our country. I’m inspired by U.S. Soccer’s mission and excited to partner with JT (Batson, CEO and General Secretary of U.S. Soccer), our staff, and our members to strengthen the game and ensure soccer is accessible to everyone, everywhere, for generations to come. This means delivering results on the field through our 27 national teams while also making sure every player, coach, referee, and fan feels a deep connection to US Soccer and their role in achieving our shared mission.”
Helfrich is one of eight new members who will be inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027 at the annual induction ceremony on Saturday, March 6, 2027, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bristol.
“This is a phenomenal group of Connecticut soccer standouts,” Duffy said. “Each has made significant contributions to the game in our state and well beyond.”
Tickets are $65 each and $35 for youth 12 and under. Order your tickets online. Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Abe Breslow – Played at Hale Ray High School and Mitchell College, Trumbull High girls coach
Matt Cameron – Oakwood SC, Sporting CT, WPSL Championship Coach, U of Hartford player
Bill Galka – Southern Connecticut State All American, 1st National Champion, Team Captain
Lori Kessel – E.O. Smith HS All American, All time CT HS leading scorer, 3x state champion
Pat Phelan – Enfield Youth, Oakwood SC, U18, U20 & U23 National Team, FIFA Youth World Cup player
Zeke Seguro – Hartford Public State Champion, 31 years Hall HS Coach with 352 wins
Tyler Turner – US U15, U17, U18, U20, and U23 Men’s National Teams, MLS player, Notre Dame HS, South Central Premier SC, Southington HS coach
