Spring Game Days: How SCORES is More Than Soccer
- John Studebaker
- May 14
- 3 min read
Updated: May 31
As last Saturday’s early spring rain clouds gave way to sun at Seattle’s Rainier Beach Playfield, it was evident how much America SCORES is helping to improve the lives of local kids and reshape one South Seattle community.
Founded in 1994 in Washington, D.C. by Julie Kennedy, a public-school teacher concerned that her students, lacking constructive after-school options, were at risk of gang activity and other dangers, America SCORES offers a unique program to urban youth, pairing soccer, literacy and service. Today, the organization operates in 11 cities across the United States and Canada, touching the lives of thousands of children and their communities.
The impact America SCORES is having here in Seattle is clear from the moment one sets foot on the sideline. The program is shaping the kids – not just in how they play, but in how they carry themselves. One local resident, whose son has been involved with America SCORES for several years now, shared her son’s experience. “My son has become more confident and outgoing. Watching him at the game, smiling, connecting with teammates, and taking on new challenges, I can see how far he’s come.” She said the shared experience of soccer has helped him build real friendships, especially with classmates he might not have connected with otherwise.
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The feeling of community echoed up and down the sideline. One uncle noted how his niece, who is usually reserved, has become more extroverted and excited since joining America SCORES. “I’ve noticed that she is more talkative and open after school, weekend games, and especially when talking about her teammates and what she enjoyed.” That change, he said, has a lot to do with the environment America SCORES cultivates – one that encourages kids to express themselves and feel like they belong.
What is happening at America SCORES is truly something different. Driving around Seattle on any given Saturday morning, one does not have to look far to find a youth soccer game. But at a time when American youth soccer is increasingly criticized as a playground for the wealthy and overly focused on winning, a free program offered to urban youth and encouraging holistic, positive development breaks the mold. As another parent mentioned, the evidence of the program’s impact is on the field. “The soccer games give them a chance to support each other in new ways.” What makes SCORES special isn’t just the games – it is the way the kids look out for each other, show kindness, and play with joy and purpose.
Even the coaches and referees appeared focused on more than just the rules or the score. They were invested in the kids – making sure everyone got involved, encouraging them to take risks, and helping them see what they are capable of. They created a space where every player mattered, where trying something new was more important than placing a perfect shot or pass.
Throughout the event, you could see the values that America SCORES encourages – confidence, community, creativity – playing out in real time. It wasn’t just about soccer. It was about kids discovering what they can do and doing it together.
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