Rethinking U.S. Soccer: ACCESS U in USA Today

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings soccer into the spotlight across North America, a recent USA Today opinion column examines one of the most significant challenges facing the sport in the United States: access. Written by ACCESS U Foundation Co-Founder and Executive Director Brad Rothenberg, the article explores how the pay-to-play model continues to limit opportunities for many talented young athletes.

While highlighting ACCESS U Foundation as one example of organizations working to reduce these barriers, he also emphasizes that organizations like ACCESS U cannot solve this challenge on their own. Meaningful progress, it argues, will require broader and more sustainable changes throughout the U.S. youth soccer development system.

Read the full opinion piece HERE.