Key Takeaways
- MLS GO announced a $100,000 grant for NRPA to fund uniforms, equipment, and field space for parks and recreation departments nationwide.
- Enterprise, Alabama registered 260 kids in their first MLS GO season by partnering with local club teams to expand community access.
- The MLS GO PLAY FUND provides annual support to help agencies remove financial barriers for families accessing community soccer programs.
- Taft, California’s West Side Recreation & Park District will launch as one of the newest MLS GO leagues with NRPA grant funding support.
- The partnership between MLS GO, RCX Sports, and NRPA was formalized earlier this year to bring affordable soccer programming to communities across the country.
Grant Funding Targets Community Access Barriers
At the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, MLS GO announced a $100,000 grant specifically for the National Recreation and Park Association. The funding comes from the MLS GO PLAY FUND’s annual commitment to help parks and recreation departments address financial obstacles that prevent families from participating in youth soccer.
The grant will support agencies in covering costs for uniforms, equipment, and field space. The announcement builds on a multi-year partnership announced earlier this year between MLS GO, RCX Sports, and NRPA to deliver affordable, high-quality soccer programming through parks and recreation departments.
Kyle Albrecht, VP and GM of MLS NEXT and MLS GO, emphasized the local focus during an education session at the conference. “The ability to introduce MLS GO in an entry-level way with parks and recs helps fuel existing soccer programs,” he said. “Soccer should be available to anyone who wants to get a start in the game.”
The conference featured hands-on demonstrations in a Demo Zone, where attendees tested drills and programming elements. Orlando City SC player Carlos Mercado and team mascot Kingston made appearances, drawing consistent crowds to the turf setup throughout the event.
Closing the Grassroots Participation Gap
Garland Cooper, Chief Operating Officer at RCX Sports, addressed what he described as a widening gap in youth soccer participation during the conference’s education session titled “Bringing Soccer Back to the Community: Growing the Game as World Cup 2026 Approaches.”
“Travel and club soccer are growing, but participation at the grassroots level isn’t keeping pace,” Cooper said. “There are fewer low-cost, low-pressure options for kids. That’s where MLS GO comes in—it’s the access point that keeps the game open to everyone.”
The panel discussion included Blake Moore, Director of Community Services and Recreation at Enterprise Parks and Recreation, and Nick Santos, Director of Youth Soccer for Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride. The conversation focused on how parks and recreation departments can expand soccer access at the community level.
Santos pointed to cultural shifts in the sport’s popularity. “You see kids wearing jerseys with MLS logos—soccer is cool,” he said. “The 2026 World Cup, the largest ever, is going to elevate this sport to the next level.”
Local Implementation: Enterprise and Taft Case Studies
Enterprise, Alabama provided one example of how MLS GO programming has functioned at the local level. Blake Moore’s team registered 260 kids in their first year by working directly with local club teams.
“Parks and recs and clubs don’t have to work against each other,” Moore explained during the education session. “We had 260 kids in our first year because the club teams bought in. They’re now running tournaments that create real economic impact for our city. It’s a win-win.”
Moore described the approach as collaborative rather than competitive, with club teams supporting the recreation-based program while also benefiting from tournament activity that brings economic activity to the area.
West Side Recreation & Park District in Taft, California represents the newest MLS GO league preparing to launch. The district serves a diverse population and operates a STOP Scholarship program that helps families cover registration costs for youth activities.
The new MLS GO league will be supported by an NRPA MLS GO Grant, which will fund scholarships, uniform kits, and start-up needs for the first season. Kim Soltis, Development Coordinator at the RCX Sports Foundation, explained the grant’s purpose. “What’s happening in Taft is exactly why this grant exists,” Soltis said. “When a community is ready to open the door wider for its kids, MLS GO gives them the structure to do it. West Side Rec is building something that will last far beyond one season.”
MLS GO Programming Structure and Accessibility
The Demo Zone at the conference allowed parks and recreation professionals to see how MLS GO programming operates in practice. Attendees observed drill structures, space requirements, and equipment needs. The setup was designed to show how the program adapts to different facility types and sizes.
The programming is structured to be accessible for agencies with varying levels of soccer experience and infrastructure. The partnership with RCX Sports provides operational support, curriculum, and resources to help departments launch and maintain leagues.
The MLS GO PLAY FUND serves as the financial support mechanism, offering grants and funding assistance to reduce barriers for both agencies and families. The $100,000 NRPA grant represents one component of this funding structure, with the goal of expanding the number of communities that can offer low-cost soccer options.
Market Positioning Ahead of World Cup 2026
The timing of MLS GO’s expansion aligns with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The event is expected to be the largest World Cup in history and is projected to increase interest in soccer participation and viewership.
Nick Santos referenced this timing during the panel discussion, noting that cultural interest in soccer continues to grow. The presence of MLS branding on youth jerseys and the visibility of professional teams represent market indicators that parks and recreation departments can leverage when building community programs.
The partnership structure between MLS GO, RCX Sports, and NRPA creates a framework for agencies to access professional league branding, operational expertise, and financial support. This combination aims to make entry into youth soccer programming more feasible for departments that may have limited experience with the sport.
Looking Ahead
The $100,000 NRPA grant and the multi-year partnership establish a foundation for expanding community-based soccer access. The examples from Enterprise and Taft demonstrate different implementation models—one showing collaboration with existing club infrastructure, the other showing how scholarship programs can integrate with new league launches.
As World Cup 2026 approaches, the focus remains on creating entry points for families seeking affordable, accessible soccer options. The MLS GO PLAY FUND’s annual commitment to financial support, combined with the operational framework provided through the RCX Sports partnership, provides parks and recreation departments with resources to address participation gaps at the grassroots level.
via: MLS
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