Over the next six years, more people than ever will discover soccer in the United States. With the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the LA28 Olympic Games, and the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup all on the horizon, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game and ensure more kids have the chance to experience everything soccer can offer.
At Soccer Forward, we believe that soccer can open doors. It can help young people build confidence, develop friendships, stay active, and feel a sense of belonging. Our goal is simple: make sure more kids, in more communities, have access to those opportunities.
But to do that, we have to acknowledge a reality that exists today. Not every child has equal access to the game. For too many families, cost, transportation, lack of local programming, or limited resources create barriers that keep kids from experiencing all that soccer can offer. And when access is limited, the benefits of the game become harder to reach.
At the heart of all our efforts are the people who make the game possible every day: coaches, parents, players, educators and community leaders. No national organization can grow the game alone. Real growth happens when local communities have the tools and support they need to help young people succeed.
To achieve our mission, Soccer Forward is meeting kids where they are in their soccer journey. Whether that be at school, or in a park or on a street – or at home. Our role is to provide the tools and resources that help make that possible.
That is why we are excited to partner with Techne. For many families, access to high-quality training resources can be expensive or simply out of reach. By making KICKSTART, the new free version of the Techne platform available through the Soccer Forward Resource Hub, we’re helping more players develop their skills wherever they are, whether that be a local field, in a school gym, or simply in their backyard.
Founded by former U.S. Women's National Team player Yael Averbuch West, Techne has helped thousands of players build confidence and improve their game through accessible, player-centered training. Making those resources available to more families is exactly the kind of partnership Soccer Forward was created to support.
Whether it’s helping communities host Soccer Forward Fests, supporting educators through Soccer at Schools, sharing tools through the Resource Hub, or highlighting impact through Keeping Score of What Matters, our focus is the same: removing barriers and creating more opportunities for people to experience the game.
The future of soccer in America won’t be defined solely by what happens inside stadiums during major tournaments. It will be shaped by what happens in schools, parks, neighborhoods, and communities across the country long after the final whistle blows.
We have a real opportunity over the next few years. Not just to grow soccer, but to make it easier for more people to be a part of it. If we can do that, if more kids have a ball at their feet, more coaches have the resources they need, and more communities have access to the game, then we'll have created something that lasts well beyond any tournament.
Lex Chalat, Executive Director, Soccer Forward Foundation, part of U.S. Soccer.
