While soccer is often seen as the most universal sport, requiring minimal resources, the reality in the United States is starkly different. Here, the sport is entangled in a web of costs, making it less accessible to many.
Di Anderson, a Phoenix-based loan officer, shared her experience: “When the cost for my son’s club team started (pushing) $2,000 because of all the expenses, my husband said, ‘We’re out.’” Anderson’s story is echoed by many across the country.
Les Carpenter, a reporter for The Washington Post, highlights the disparity: “For soccer around the rest of the world, you need a ball. For soccer in America, you need a uniform, you need referees and you need a scoreboard.” This sums up the exclusivity and high costs associated with youth soccer in the U.S.
Jon Solomon from the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program outlines the financial burden: league fees, tournament costs, travel expenses, and equipment all contribute to the hefty price tag of playing soccer in America.
The financial strain on parents is compounded by declining participation rates among youth. A Sports & Fitness Industry Association study reports a 5.5% drop in soccer participation for ages 6-12 from 2013 to 2023. The expense is a significant factor driving this decline.
Field Access Challenges
Field access presents another hurdle. Carpenter notes the complex permitting process for field use, describing it as “very, very extravagant.” Some leagues go as far as employing staff solely to locate available fields, as seen in suburban Maryland.
Rising Costs in Youth Soccer
The financial demands of youth soccer are escalating. According to an Aspen Institute’s Project Play survey, families spent an average of $910 annually in 2024, a significant increase from $537 in 2019.
The U.S. employs a “pay-to-play” model for youth soccer, rooted in its late adoption and reliance on existing American sports league structures. This system, which Carpenter notes was modeled after other sports like baseball, emphasizes commercialization over accessibility.
The current model disproportionately affects marginalized groups, as higher costs create barriers to entry. Carpenter observes a divide between immigrant or lower-income kids and those who can afford to participate in mainstream leagues.
International Perspective
Globally, soccer clubs often alleviate financial burdens for families. Lionel Messi’s story is a prime example. Diagnosed with a hormone deficiency, Messi’s treatments were initially covered by his Argentine club, Newell’s Old Boys, then later by FC Barcelona when he moved to Spain.
Another example is Charlie Dennis from Phoenix Rising FC, who trained with Southampton FC in England. Dennis recalls, “We didn’t pay anything,” highlighting the contrast with U.S. practices.
Efforts for Change
Amir Lowery, co-founder of Open Goal Project, seeks to disrupt the pay-to-play model with a free-to-play program in Washington, D.C. Lowery emphasizes diversity and accessibility, stating, “I know that soccer is a powerful vehicle for development.”
Open Goal Project integrates with local public transport to enhance accessibility and relies on diverse funding sources to remain free of cost.
MLS Initiatives
In 2023, Major League Soccer launched MLS GO, aiming to provide affordable and local soccer experiences. Ryan Sarna’s program in Vallejo, California, offers an inclusive model where costs are negotiable based on families’ financial situations.
Though no single solution exists, efforts like those from Lowery and Sarna are essential in making youth soccer more accessible across the U.S.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching, there’s hope that increased attention will drive change in the American soccer system.
“I think we are in desperate need of some sort of awakening from people within U.S. soccer to do something about this,” Lowery expressed. The need for systemic change at higher levels remains crucial.
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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