Intentional Connection
Many of the kids I coach were not born in this country, and playing soccer helps them reconnect with themselves and where they come from. In many ways, it did the same for me.
My name is Mariana Figueroa. I am 25 years old, born and raised in Cali, Colombia - also known as “La Sucursal del Cielo” or the Branch of Heaven for its happiness, warmth, salsa culture and natural beauty. Growing up, I was always playing soccer, whether during recess with friends or in the streets outside my grandma’s house with my cousins. I always knew soccer would play a role in my life, but I never imagined how far it would take me.
Today, it has brought me all the way to Kansas City, where I work in women’s soccer with the best team in the world, the Kansas City Current. I moved to Kansas City when I was 18 to play college soccer, and along the way, I discovered a passion and career I never thought possible.
I started as an intern with the team and have since grown into my current role as Youth Programming Manager, where I lead camps and clinics and help create opportunities for the next generation of players.
Like many girls in South America, one of the biggest barriers I faced was the idea that soccer was only for boys. I remember during my senior year, there was a tradition of a game between the coaches and seniors, and I was the only girl on the team. But I stayed focused and I did not let that stop me.
I continued to play because I wanted to represent the girls coming after me and show them that they should not care what other people say about them playing.
When I moved to Kansas City, I started volunteering as a coach at the 9th and Van Brunt fields. There, I connected with an immigrant community where soccer runs deep.
Kansas City Current
Kansas City Current has built a strong and intentional connection with the community, especially in areas like 9th and Van Brunt. We have supported the community through equipment donations, clinics, and consistent programming.
Many of the kids in this community are immigrants, mostly from Africa and Latin America. In some cultures, girls playing soccer is not always accepted, which creates barriers. In 2026, we are launching a league at 9th and Van Brunt where teams that train there can participate for free. This is possible through support from partners like U.S. Soccer, CVS Health, and Kansas State Youth Soccer Association, helping remove financial and access barriers.
One of the most important things we provide is representation. The 9th and Van Brunt area is made up largely of immigrant families, and many girls come from cultures where soccer is not encouraged for them.
When we bring our players into the community, and when they see me as a woman and an immigrant coaching, they feel represented. They start to believe that they can do it too. We are not only providing access to soccer, but also breaking cultural barriers and building confidence.
Every time I coach, I know kids are looking up to me. I represent resilience, discipline, and a community of immigrant women who are often held back by certain expectations.
In many cultures, girls are expected to stay at home, help with cooking and cleaning, and take care of family responsibilities while men work outside the home. There are also often expectations about how women should behave and what roles they should fulfill. For me, playing soccer and pursuing my own goals became a way to challenge those expectations and show that women are capable of much more.
We strive to give our community the same high-quality experience that any soccer club or program in the city can provide. And while you are there, you may also catch a little la cultura and enjoy some great food while watching the beautiful game.
