Recently, we wrote about the cost to parents of youth soccer in the U.S. in this blog: Is U.S. Youth Soccer a Money-Making Scheme? We concluded that greater community involvement in Europe is why the parental burden is much lower there. This new initiative, YES, COACH! is exciting and an example of the type of thing needed to evolve the U.S. Youth Soccer System
What is Yes, Coach?
Yes, Coach! launched this week as an exciting new initiative that puts parents at the center of a national movement to make youth soccer more accessible, supportive, and impactful—especially for kids and families who haven’t always had the same opportunities. With the U.S. Soccer Federation and Stand Together Foundation as founding partners, and sponsorship from MetLife and Comcast, Yes, Coach! aims to train 100,000 coach-mentors by 2030, dramatically expanding the pool of caring adults who can guide young players on and off the field.
Why Parents Should Care About Yes, Coach!
For many parents, youth soccer in the U.S. can feel like a costly, confusing “Hunger Games”—with fees for top-level travel teams commonly ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 or more per season, and concerns that kids from less affluent families are being left behind. Despite these worries, the reality is that most American youth soccer coaches and volunteers are not profiting off families. Instead, the problem lies in how the U.S. system is financed: clubs and leagues depend heavily on parent fees to pay coaches and cover key expenses because, unlike in much of Europe, substantial outside funding is lacking.
Yes, Coach! seeks to address some of these challenges by expanding mentorship, promoting coach education, and using high-profile events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup to attract new resources and attention to local soccer communities—from inner cities to rural towns.
Rethinking Access and Equity
In Europe, the cost burden on families is much lower because professional clubs, local governments, and national federations offer broader financial support. Parents there typically supply only about 15% of the total costs, whereas in the U.S., it’s likely more than 75%. This structure often places youth soccer—and the mentorship it offers—out of reach for too many families.
By positioning mentorship—not just technical coaching—as a core part of its approach, Yes, Coach! directly addresses a major gap. The initiative plans to use its partnerships and World Cup momentum to bring in more funding, grants, and sponsorships so that the benefits of soccer and coach-mentors reach all kids, not just those whose parents can afford steep registration fees.
What the Yes, Coach! Platform Offers Parents
The new Yes, Coach! online hub—open to all parents and potential mentors—is designed to be more than a coaching tips site: it’s a community-building and storytelling space, a resource library, and a place to learn about best practices in youth development. For parents, that means:
- Access to training for those interested in becoming coach-mentors, with a focus on positive youth development, relationship-building, and life skills—not just soccer tactics.
- Opportunities to connect with other families and volunteers, strengthening local soccer’s support network.
- Stories and data about how coach-mentors are impacting kids—helping parents understand what works and what can be improved in their own communities.
- Information on new funding avenues, scholarships, and local initiatives that can help reduce out-of-pocket costs for players and families.
The Role of Parents in a Changing Soccer System
Parents aren’t just the people who pay the bills and drive to practices—they are crucial advocates for improving the system as a whole. Initiatives like Yes, Coach! can only succeed with active parent involvement, whether by volunteering as a mentor-coach, fundraising, advocating for local sponsorships and municipal grants, or simply sharing experiences and feedback about the cost and accessibility of youth sports.
Many U.S. families have expressed frustration with the pay-to-play nature of the American system, and want change. The launch of Yes, Coach! is a signal that national leaders recognize this reality and are working to find new solutions, including increased focus on mentorship, community-building, and alternative sources of funding.
How to Get Involved
Parents can get involved in several ways:
- Sign up for updates and training opportunities through the Yes, Coach! hub.
- Volunteer to become a coach-mentor—or encourage others who have the time and passion.
- Advocate for more public and private support for local clubs and leagues.
- Connect with other families to share ideas and push for change at the club, school, and municipal level.
The Bottom Line
Yes, Coach! is a major step toward making youth soccer in America not just a competitive sport, but a truly inclusive and developmental environment—one where every child, regardless of income, has a caring mentor on their side. For parents, it’s a chance to move beyond frustration with “the system” and get involved in positive solutions—because when parents and communities work together, everyone wins.
Ron Stitt
Co-founder, U.S. Soccer Parent