World Cup success, more work to do

While our region just celebrated hosting an incredible, high-profile World Cup at the professional level, access to affordable youth soccer programs and other opportunities for sports and play remain a huge challenge.

Families face financial barriers, in addition to transportation obstacles, lack of adequate field space and pressure to join elite, expensive travel teams. Youth sports are a key component for physical health and mental well-being state-wide, but not all our kids have access to these benefits. 

The Seattle Times detailing how the "pay-to-play" model in youth soccer is locking children and teens across Washington out of sports and play. 

 Read the Seattle Times article "2026 World Cup: Team USA succeeding, but soccer structure in U.S. needs work"