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We convene, connect and support local multi-sector partnerships to grow the game so that soccer becomes accessible to everyone across their community, harnessed within local systems, and intentionally used to tackle critical local social issues.
Our ambition is to establish soccer as a sustainable platform for ongoing community development in these locations, and for them to become global beacons for what soccer can be and do.
Our first three Soccer Forward Collectives are:
Led by Oakland Genesis and Oakland United
Oakland is a passionate soccer city, with recent growth at pro and grassroots levels, and a strong connection between the game and city’s culture. It’s also a community where young people struggle to meet CDC physical activity recommendations, and there are the highest poverty and crime rates of Bay Area’s 9 counties. We will work with our partners to build capacity across the city so that we can harness the passion for the game and use it to help tackle those fundamental social challenges.
Led by South Bronx United, DREAM Charter Schools, Street Soccer USA, and The Sports Creative.
Soccer's popularity in the South Bronx is a vibrant mix of deep-rooted immigrant culture and high-impact community programming. The popularity of the game sits parallel to the highest levels of socio-economic need in NYC. Our support of partners in South Bronx will build off NY/NJ’s status as a 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City and be informed by the seminal Aspen Institute Report on State of Soccer Report on NY & Northern NJ, and use the game to support communities who need it most.
Led by Fields & Futures and OKC for Soccer.
While Oklahoma City is often seen as a basketball town, soccer has a massive, deep-rooted footprint in the community due to high youth participation, a diverse population, and significant investment from civic institutions such as Fields & Futures. We will work to support the city’s soccer ecosystem to collectively strengthen the people, places and programs that make up the local game, and to harness soccer to bridge gaps in public health, education, and social equity.
Want to stay up to date on the latest updates, resources, and community news from Soccer Forward? Join our network and be the first to know what’s new.
Spot something we can improve? Share your feedback.