U.S. Soccer Foundation Youth Programs
U.S. Soccer Foundation, 3151 Edison Way, Redwood City, CA 94063
About
U.S. Soccer Foundation Youth Programs include Soccer for Success, Safe Places to Play, the Just Ball League, and Coach-Mentor Training. Soccer for Success is an after-school program designed for children that improves their physical activity and overall well-being and focuses on soccer. The programs also use mini-pitches and other innovative play spaces as part of soccer activities.
• Schedule: Soccer for Success is an after-school program designed for children that improves their physical activity and overall well-being.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established from the proceeds of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, with Alan Rothenberg, President of U.S. Soccer at that time, involved in its early leadership. The mission of U.S. Soccer Foundation Youth Programs is to provide underserved communities access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. The organization is a 501c3 operating separately from the national governing body and has more than 30 years of using soccer to advance social impact across the U.S.
U.S. Soccer Foundation Youth Programs report that their programs are evidence-based and that they provide innovative play spaces and safe places to play through mini-pitches. Investments from the Foundation have supported the development of more than 1,100 playing fields and the opening of 900+ mini-pitches, with 98% of respondents saying their community feels safer with a mini-pitch. The Foundation reports 700+ partners, 738,600+ children impacted, $125M invested in 25 years, and 1 million children engaged in its evidence-based programs annually, and it aims for 1 million children engaged annually and 1,000 mini-pitches created by the end of 2026.
The Foundation helped launch Major League Soccer and all iterations of the women’s professional league and supported the hosting of the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cups. It also launched the Urban Soccer Symposium and created a transformative program to ensure children in underserved communities have access to the game. Its community involvement includes working daily to build a better future by ensuring that young people in under-resourced communities have access to soccer programs and trained coach-mentors who support in their personal development beyond the playing field, engaging communities to drive systemic change, and partnering with a broad network committed to social impact and underserved communities.
Parents, participants, coaches, and partners describe a wide range of experiences with Soccer for Success and other supported programs. Children and youth participants report learning soccer skills, drills, teamwork, communication, leadership, and healthy habits such as exercising and eating better, and several describe feeling included and enjoying playing with teammates and friends. Parents and caregivers describe changes such as children being more active, healthier, more confident, making new friends, and improving interactions with others. Coach-mentors and program leaders describe using Soccer for Success to create intentional, engaging lessons, support personal growth, and provide what they see as meaningful opportunities in their communities, and partner organizations report that grants and field projects have supported financial stability, credibility, and year-round soccer activities.
Last updated June 21, 2026.
• Schedule: Soccer for Success is an after-school program designed for children that improves their physical activity and overall well-being.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established from the proceeds of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, with Alan Rothenberg, President of U.S. Soccer at that time, involved in its early leadership. The mission of U.S. Soccer Foundation Youth Programs is to provide underserved communities access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. The organization is a 501c3 operating separately from the national governing body and has more than 30 years of using soccer to advance social impact across the U.S.
U.S. Soccer Foundation Youth Programs report that their programs are evidence-based and that they provide innovative play spaces and safe places to play through mini-pitches. Investments from the Foundation have supported the development of more than 1,100 playing fields and the opening of 900+ mini-pitches, with 98% of respondents saying their community feels safer with a mini-pitch. The Foundation reports 700+ partners, 738,600+ children impacted, $125M invested in 25 years, and 1 million children engaged in its evidence-based programs annually, and it aims for 1 million children engaged annually and 1,000 mini-pitches created by the end of 2026.
The Foundation helped launch Major League Soccer and all iterations of the women’s professional league and supported the hosting of the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cups. It also launched the Urban Soccer Symposium and created a transformative program to ensure children in underserved communities have access to the game. Its community involvement includes working daily to build a better future by ensuring that young people in under-resourced communities have access to soccer programs and trained coach-mentors who support in their personal development beyond the playing field, engaging communities to drive systemic change, and partnering with a broad network committed to social impact and underserved communities.
Parents, participants, coaches, and partners describe a wide range of experiences with Soccer for Success and other supported programs. Children and youth participants report learning soccer skills, drills, teamwork, communication, leadership, and healthy habits such as exercising and eating better, and several describe feeling included and enjoying playing with teammates and friends. Parents and caregivers describe changes such as children being more active, healthier, more confident, making new friends, and improving interactions with others. Coach-mentors and program leaders describe using Soccer for Success to create intentional, engaging lessons, support personal growth, and provide what they see as meaningful opportunities in their communities, and partner organizations report that grants and field projects have supported financial stability, credibility, and year-round soccer activities.
Last updated June 21, 2026.
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