Genesis, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and the MLS Players Association opened a new mini-pitch at William Anderson Elementary School in Dallas on April 29, 2026, their fifth joint installation since the partnership began. The Dallas facility is part of a series backed by more than $2 million in Genesis Gives funding since 2022.
Key Takeaways
- The Dallas mini-pitch is the fifth Musco Mini-Pitch Systems installation through the Genesis/U.S. Soccer Foundation/MLSPA partnership
- The U.S. Soccer Foundation has delivered more than 850 mini-pitches nationwide and is working toward 1,000 by 2026
- 70% of mini-pitches are placed in communities ranked low on the Childhood Opportunity Index and high in population density
- Genesis Gives has donated over $2 million since 2022 to support youth sports and STEAM education in under-resourced areas
- Previous installations were located in Florida, New York, California, and Georgia
Mini-Pitch Dallas Youth Soccer: How the Partnership Works
The Musco Mini-Pitch System features a durable hard-court surface built for both organized programming and informal pick-up games. Each installation falls under the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play initiative, which has now surpassed 850 mini-pitches across the country.
Funding comes through Genesis Gives, the corporate social responsibility arm of Genesis Motor America. Since 2022, the initiative has directed more than $2 million toward nonprofit organizations focused on youth sports access and STEAM education in under-resourced communities.
“Access to safe places to play can be a powerful catalyst for opportunity. We are proud to work alongside Genesis and the MLSPA to bring this new mini-pitch to Dallas, expanding opportunities for young people to be active, build confidence, and feel connected to their community. Together, we are helping ensure that soccer and all its lifelong benefits are accessible for kids in under-resourced neighborhoods.” — Ed Foster Simeon, President and CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation
Targeting Communities With the Greatest Need
The placement strategy is deliberate. 70% of mini-pitches go into communities identified as low on the Childhood Opportunity Index and high in population density. That metric matters for operators tracking where public-private investment is flowing in youth sports infrastructure.
The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) headquartered in Washington, D.C., was founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Its 1,000-pitch goal by 2026 is now within striking distance.
Victor Ulloa, MLSPA Player Relations Manager and former Homegrown FC Dallas player, attended the ceremony. “The MLSPA is proud to continue its efforts to bring safe spaces to play to communities across the country with this new mini-pitch in Dallas. It’s so important to both current and former players to be a part of creating greater access to the game we all love,” he said.
A Replicable Model for Youth Sports Infrastructure
The celebration at William Anderson Elementary included a ribbon-cutting, a symbolic first kick, the first official game, food from local vendors, and commemorative jerseys for players. Principal Mark Sandoval noted the pitch will “encourage physical activity” while fostering “teamwork, school pride, and a stronger sense of community.”
For youth sports operators and facility developers, the Genesis model offers a concrete template. A corporate funder covers capital costs. A national nonprofit handles site selection using equity-focused data. A players’ association provides visibility and athlete engagement. Five installations across five states since 2022, at a total investment exceeding $2 million, demonstrates what a structured public-private partnership can deliver at scale.
Source: PR Newswire
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