A Celebration of Girls and Women in Soccer with America SCORES in New York
“The Moment”
In New York, on city fields,
Young feet move, their dreams revealed.
A ball, a goal, a game to play,
A love that never fades away.
Girls and women in soccer cheer,
Their voices strong, their purpose clear.
Side by side, they laugh, they run,
A story told, a game begun.
They dribble fast, they chase, they fall,
Yet rise again to claim it all.
Not just the goals, not just the win,
But the courage to begin again.
At FindYourFootball and FindHerFootball, our mission is to create space for girls and women in soccer to not only play but to be seen, heard, and supported. On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, I had the opportunity to volunteer with America SCORES, a nonprofit that uses the power of soccer, poetry, and service-learning to inspire young athletes.
This collaboration was more than just a day on the field—it was a shared commitment to grassroots development and visibility. When nonprofits come together, the impact extends beyond the game itself—it builds confidence, character, and camaraderie in young players who are just beginning their journey. Events like these remind us that soccer isn’t just about the game itself but about the journey, the people we meet, and the lessons we take with us.
As someone who has experienced both the joy and challenges of navigating soccer spaces, I see the importance of representation—especially for black and brown girls who look like me, dream like me, and love the game like me.
“I’m here to let other women who look like me know that their dreams matter and their dreams are achievable.” - Crystal Dunn
Reflection: Moments That Matter
One of the most memorable moments from the event was hearing the kids cheer each other on, lifting each other up with every pass, dribble, and goal. It wasn’t about being the best player on the field—it was about progress, effort, and passion. Not everyone was a great dribbler at first, but you could see them getting better and faster within just a short amount of time.
That pure joy of playing reminded me of myself at their age—the simple fun of having a ball at my feet and friends by my side. Seeing that excitement, that hunger to keep going, was a beautiful thing.
Moments like these reinforce why we do what we do. It’s about making sure that these young players don’t just have access to the game but that they feel recognized and rewarded for their love of it. They deserve to see themselves in the sport, to feel supported in their growth, and to know that their dreams are possible.
With role models like Crystal Dunn leading the way, we are reminded that girls and women in soccer belong in every space, on every team, in every moment of the game.