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Community Spotlights
Connecting communities and strengthening the game through local action.
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Soccer Forward Community Spotlight Events are on-the-ground activations held in the days leading up to each U.S. Soccer match. They are designed to elevate and shine a light on local organizations using soccer to drive social change.
By engaging U.S. Soccer member organizations, players, alumni, and local nonprofit organizations, each event highlights real stories of access, inclusion, and community service, bringing the game closer to those who often have the least access to it. Inviting board members, corporate partners, government officials, and local leaders to witness the impact firsthand deepens relationships and engages the broader community.
Ahead of the SheBelieves Cup, Soccer Forward partnered with New York Life and New Jersey Youth Soccer Association to introduce NJYS’s Let’s Play Program to the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, expanding access to after-school soccer for local youth.
The Kang Women’s Institute worked with Football for Her, Cal South and other local community leaders and coaches alongside USWNT players and alumni to share best practices in health, education and performance — highlighting the importance of inspiring and engaging women and girls through Her Lens.
Bringing the community together in Times Square as part of the FIFA World Cup Draw, over 60 students and coaches from Street Soccer USA and the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association showed their love for the game alongside U.S. Men’s National Team players and Soccer Forward Ambassadors.
Soccer Forward kicked off a project with community organizations Oakland Genesis and Oakland Soccer Club ahead of the NWSL Championship to support girls in Oakland. Alongside Bay Area Host Committee, Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul, NWSL and NorCal Premier Soccer, the event highlighted Oakland’s leadership in using soccer as a force for good.
Soccer Forward and New York Life partnered with Florida Youth Soccer Association ahead of the USMNT match, highlighting soccer as a force for good and supporting the organization with a grant to expand access and youth development.
Teamed up with the USWNT, KC Current, and Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy to help build confidence, connection, and body awareness for girls on and off the field.
Convened 100+ girls and leaders for a WNT training session viewing. The event highlighted a range of local soccer for good organizations, such as Philadelphia Union Foundation, Love City Football, Kensington Soccer Club, Lancaster Inferno, Coatesville High School, and The JT Dorsey Foundation.
Spotlighting 130+ local students and Austin FC’s 4ATX Foundation. Members of our USMNT alongside several MNT alumni supported the event, which focused on using soccer as a force for good and provided funding for the Verde Leaders program over the next four years.
Soccer Forward partnered with New Jersey Youth Soccer and the NY/NJ Host Committee ahead of the USMNT match, bringing together local clubs, community organizations, and leaders alongside players and alumni to inspire youth and strengthen community impact through soccer.
Soccer Forward partnered with DC SCORES in Washington, D.C. ahead of the USWNT match, bringing together USWNT players and alumni, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, DC Power FC, and VYSA to empower youth and highlight soccer as a force for good.
Partnership with Cal South, Angel City FC, Los Angeles Rams, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks and Bank of America to spotlight how soccer is being used to empower youth, particularly girls.
Uniting the community through soccer with America SCORES Bay Area, Bay FC, San Jose Earthquakes, Cal North, and the Bay Area Host Committee.