Soccer Belongs To Everyone

The score that matters most to me is who I represent. As a first-generation Sierra Leonean-American, I carry my community, my family, and a deep soccer lineage with me. My uncle, the late Lamin Bangura, was a Sierra Leone national team player and coach. He was my idol, and everything I have done in playing and coaching has been a way to make him and my family proud.

My name is Mariatu Kanu, and I am 22 years old. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I work as a Sports Coach Coordinator supported by Coaches Across America with The Sanneh Foundation.

My role as a Sports Coach Coordinator is connected to The Sanneh Foundation through the programs and partnerships we run. The foundation uses soccer and other activities to help young people grow and learn. Part of this work includes bringing in coaches, mentors, and coordinators to lead activities and support the kids.

Coaches Across America help fund, train, and place coaches in organizations like The Sanneh Foundation. They provide us with the resources and support we need so people like me can coach and make a difference.

I started playing soccer in December 2014 at Conway Community Center, where I was involved in different activities like basketball and double dutch (jump rope). However, soccer quickly stood out to me because of how natural it felt and how fun it was.

As I grew with soccer, I faced challenges like balancing family responsibilities and navigating limited resources, but the game gave me structure, motivation, and direction.

Soccer gave me something I will never forget. It opened doors and gave me experiences I might not have had otherwise.

It gave me opportunities to travel, meet new people, and be part of a team. I learned important skills like teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Soccer pushed me to stay focused and work hard, both on and off the field.

Without soccer, I might not have had those same chances to grow, build confidence, or see different paths for my future.

I was given a safe space to play without having to worry about costs. I developed my skills and ended up playing all the way through high school. I even captained two years on the varsity team!

With support from The Sanneh Foundation, I was able to play club soccer, which deepened my love for the game.

The Sanneh Foundation

The Sanneh Foundation creates a strong, supportive, and inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. It is a space where young people are developed not only as athletes, but as individuals. The foundation supports youth, young adults, and even elderly residents.

One of the ways it serves the community is through food distribution at Conway, its main site, and at other locations across the Twin Cities. It also offers “Kidstime,” an after-school program where kids have a safe place to build relationships and take part in activities like Friday field trips. One of its most impactful offerings is free youth summer camps, including soccer.

For many kids, this is their first experience with sports and the camps provide a fun, welcoming environment.

Programs like Right Track and Step Up also create employment opportunities, often giving young people their very first job - including me! Having experienced these programs myself, I have seen how deeply the Foundation cares about improving the community and supporting its people.

Through soccer and its wider programming, the Foundation offers mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and access to resources many young people might not otherwise have. It opens doors, creates pathways, and helps youth see what is possible for their future.

The Real Win

I use soccer to teach values that go far beyond the game, like teamwork, discipline, accountability, and resilience. Players learn how to navigate challenges, respect their teammates, their opponents, and themselves, and show up with purpose.

Off the pitch, I want them to carry confidence, leadership skills, and the belief that they can overcome obstacles and create opportunities for themselves and others. The biggest thing I tell my girls is to take up space and not be afraid to be seen.

Soccer has given me a community bigger than myself, spanning cultures, languages, and backgrounds in a way few things can. The sport builds trust, connection, and a shared sense of purpose.

The “score” that matters is not what is on the scoreboard. Instead, it is the impact we make in the lives we help change, the confidence we build, and the opportunities we create.

Success is seeing players grow into leaders, graduate, and give back, just like I have been able to do. That is the real win.

Creating Joy

Unlocking the power of soccer as a force for good starts with intention. Programs can be more than just leagues. They can be safe spaces that prioritize development, inclusion, and access.

By investing in communities, removing barriers to participation, and using the game as a tool for mentorship and education, the sport can make a real difference.

Having the World Cup in the U.S. is a powerful opportunity. It shines a global spotlight on the game and creates excitement at every level, especially in communities that may not always feel included.

It invites people who may have never had the chance to experience soccer to engage with it in their backyard.

It is a chance to inspire the next generation, connect our players to something bigger, and show that soccer belongs to everyone.

When the world is watching, I hope people notice the diversity, unity, and stories behind the players and fans.

Beyond the goals and results, I hope people see how the game creates joy, connection, and opportunity for communities everywhere.