Former soccer prodigy Jeff Dewsnup has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Real Salt Lake, the United Soccer League, the US Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer, accusing the institutions of failing to protect him from severe hazing and sexual abuse that ended his career and left him with post‑traumatic stress disorder.
A pattern of abuse
The complaint details a series of degrading incidents that began when Dewsnup, then 17, joined Real Salt Lake’s United Soccer League squad. Teammates subjected him to lewd taunts, sexual comments and physical intimidation, including being pelted with soccer balls and exposed to teammates’ genitals. Coaches, including goalkeeping coach Ignacio Hernandez, are alleged to have mishandled his foot and hip injuries while adding to the hostile environment.
The abuse forced Dewsnup to quit the sport in April 2022 and triggered a suicide attempt, after which he was diagnosed with PTSD and required extensive psychiatric treatment. His legal team says the trauma has robbed him of scholarship offers from Stanford, Columbia, Princeton and Wake Forest, as well as professional contracts with clubs such as Fulham, Crystal Palace and PSV Eindhoven, resulting in an estimated $80 million loss of future earnings.
Real Salt Lake and MLS have issued statements denying the allegations, asserting that player safety is a top priority and that they are reviewing the claims. The US Soccer Federation declined to comment further, while the United Soccer League emphasized its commitment to a safe playing environment.
The case underscores a growing reckoning within American soccer, where former athletes are increasingly turning to the courts to confront a culture they say has long tolerated abuse. Dewsnup’s lawsuit seeks $20 million for medical expenses and $80 million in damages, a figure that reflects both the financial and personal toll of the alleged misconduct.