World Cup momentum sparks surge in youth soccer enrollment
The World Cup is driving a surge in youth soccer enrollment on Long Island, while organizations work to make the sport more affordable and accessible for families nationwide.
The World Cup is giving youth soccer a boost across Long Island, with one of the region’s largest soccer academies reporting a significant increase in enrollment following the tournament.
SUSA FC, Long Island’s largest soccer academy, says enrollment increased by about 20% following the World Cup.
“We really saw an increase in players come,” said Glenn Schneider, CEO of SUSA FC Long Island.
Schneider says the tournament generated more interest in soccer across the country, with families and young players tuning in to watch the games.
“Everyone I spoke to was watching the World Cup. There was a lot of exposure which was great for this country,” Schneider said.
But as interest in the sport grows, so does the focus on making soccer more affordable and accessible.
SUSA FC provides about $300,000 in scholarships to help families who otherwise might not be able to afford the cost of playing.
U.S. Soccer says summer is already the busiest time of year for youth soccer enrollment. The organization is now looking for ways to reduce some of the costs that can make the sport difficult for families to access, particularly when it comes to travel leagues and teams.
“Let’s make sure we have the right opportunity that is super local,” said Michael Lazar, chief of Soccer Markets and Pathways at U.S. Soccer. “We take travel away and we take away some of the unnecessary costs to make as accessible and affordable for families as possible.”
Lazar says accessibility also means making sure kids have the basic equipment they need to play.
“What would it look like if every kid in America had access to a soccer ball? What would that cost, what would it look like? We’re modeling that out and figuring those things out,” Lazar said.
The goal is to build on the momentum generated by the World Cup while making sure the sport’s growth reaches more children and families.
For youth soccer organizations, that means not only attracting more players, but finding new ways to make the game affordable and accessible for kids across the country.
