His Passion Ignited, Kyle Martino
Set To Lead Street Soccer USA National Board
Contact: press@streetsoccerusa.org / 212 400 7011
March 28, New York, NY—Having garnered a groundswell of support across the country with his bold vision for the future of US Soccer in the wake of his US Soccer Presidential Campaign, former Major League Soccer and US Men’s National Team star turned NBC Sports Analyst, Kyle Martino, has determined his next step: Assuming the position of National Board Chair of soccer-for-social change nonprofit, Street Soccer USA.
“Street Soccer USA is addressing the most important issue I highlighted during my campaign: growing a soccer culture from the ground up,” commented Martino, “ Soccer is game of joy and passion that can teach and inspire millions because the game belongs to everyone. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity right now to harness that power in the United States. I’m humbled and excited to help Street Soccer USA seize that opportunity.”
With large, growing program hubs in New York, The Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Philadelphia, and emerging programs in 10 other cities, Street Soccer USA is building citywide soccer for social change leagues serving the most underserved neighborhoods in the country in partnership with city governments, schools, and community members. In addition to the opportunity to play and have fun, Street Soccer USA combines its soccer methodology and life skills curriculum with parent engagement, academic, and social service supports for participants and their families.
“Street Soccer USA has always been about becoming part of the fabric of the community and building from the bottom up together with the community. Kyle understands the power and importance of that. His leadership and character will make an incredible impact,” said Street Soccer USA President and Founder, Lawrence Cann, “I’m doubly excited that announcing Kyle’s new position today is just the first of several forthcoming announcements we will be making about the future of Street Soccer USA.”
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Street Soccer USA is national nonprofit that believes in a world where everyone belongs to a successful team. Street Soccer USA provides community level, sport based solutions to issues of poverty. Street Soccer USA has grown from a single team in Charlotte, North Carolina to a national network of 15,000 kids, teens and adults in 14 different cities. Through our community soccer clubs, curriculum, and academic and social services supports, SSUSA helps players and families discover their strengths and achieve their goals. www.streetsoccerusa.org
Kyle Martino has played at all levels of US Soccer—from youth, to college, to MLS and the USMNT, to a local adult league today. He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 1999 and played college soccer at the University of Virginia. After joining the Columbus Crew in 2002, he was named MLS rookie of the year. He works at NBC Sports, where he provides studio analysis and color commentary on the English Premier League. www.everyonesgameusa.com