STREET SOCCER USA CUP LOS ANGELES presented by
The Street Soccer USA Cup – Los Angeles took place on August 18th at Microsoft Square in L.A Live – our first event in LA after a year of programming in Watts, Skid Row and Council District 10. We are thankful to our partners who have made our program possible and the LA Galaxy Foundation for sponsoring this incredible experience for our participants and the LA soccer community at-large.
(Video: Courtesy of LA Galaxy Foundation)
For the first time in Los Angeles, our youth participants were able to come together as a community and play with and against youth from the various SSUSA Programs around the city. LA Program Manager, Mikayla Campbell reflects on her experience. “Being my first Cup with SSUSA, and the first Cup hosted in Los Angeles, the event was nothing short of special. As the sole Program Manager in Los Angeles spearheading the youth tournament, this event was symbolic of the growth I’ve experienced with my coaches, programs, and youth, as it has all been built from the ground up. And, we quite literally had to built our SSUSA courts from the ground up prior to the tournament. I look forward to continuing to scale our impact in Los Angeles, and learning more about how we can eliminate barriers for the communities we work in. I recall a handful of youth running up to me throughout the duration of the event to share with me their successes on the court. What resonated with me even more was that these youth would share with me the efforts and successes of not only themselves, but their teammates as well. I truly believe this spoke to the depth relationships we have developed since launching programs and partnerships here in Los Angeles. Through our challenges I’ve witnessed a spectrum of emotions from our youth (and our team) from tears of frustration and pain, to joyous laughter. On this day, I felt as though I was witnessing the impact our programs have had in developing our youth emotionally, socially, and physically”.
Hear from our Youth Program Participants and SSUSA – LA Coaches below!
“It was very tiring, but very good. It was fun to meet other people that play soccer like me, and even though we lost the first game we never gave up and ended up winning the tournament.”
-Hiram Campa, Union Rescue Mission, 16
“My favorite part was to see the kids enjoying the game at a competitive level, something that at least our Union Rescue kids had not seeing. It was great to see the leadership that some of these kids poses and didn’t realize. One of my girls “China” often had a lot to say about what was working and what was not. As for what was like to coach, it felt good to direct a team once again.”-Julio Ybarra, Youth Program Coach
“I am excited to see the look on the kids faces when they step on the pitch in downtown Los Angeles. I expect it to not only be a special moment for the players but for the parents as well.
SSUSA has taught me so much. My understanding of the world around me & my patience has grown tremendously.”
-Joel Hebert, Youth Program Coach
“I am looking forward to the cup and the excitement that it has been building in the kids. Once we told them about it, our Wednesday sessions at Union Rescue Mission totally shifted. I want to see everything that we have worked for in our programs really be showcased…For the cameras to be there, for them to feel as though they are famous, that’s exciting. I hope that we get more support with funding, and I just want people to see what we are doing.
My involvement has reminded me that working with kids is something that I am meant to do. I am excited for my life now. I was working an office job and hated it, but couldn’t wait to get out and go coach”
-Perla Perez, Youth Program Coach
“Even though people lost, they didn’t give up. It was a fun experience getting to know new teammates and playing together”
-Nathan McGee, Union Rescue Mission, 18
“It was fun. Playing against other kids was challenging but it was cool seeing that I have gotten better because of practice.”
-Cornelius McGee, Union Rescue Mission, 11
“It was good and challenging. It felt good meeting new kids and having people (fans) watch us, it motivated me to play harder. And my team won first place so getting a medal was awesome!”
-Francisco Orozco, Union Rescue Mission, 14
