Tyler Adams’ Efforts to Grow Soccer in America

Growing soccer in the U.S. doesn’t always mean growing grass fields. Tyler Adams of the U.S. men’s national team is aiding the expansion of the sport by constructing mini-pitches nationwide. These surfaces are not made of traditional green grass, which can be hard to maintain, but of blue hard-court.

“When you go to a park, no matter the surface, as long as you have a ball, you’re happy,” Adams shared on NBC and Telemundo’s “My New Favorite Futbolista.”

The mini-pitches resemble the size of a basketball court, occupying far less space than a full-sized soccer field. They come with permanent metal goals that need no upkeep. Adams emphasized the simplicity and potential impact of these pitches, noting their ease of setup and their positive influence on children’s lives. This is especially true in locations lacking recreational facilities.

“The idea with the mini-pitches is to provide access to kids, particularly in inner cities. They can find a soccer field for play after school instead of engaging in negative activities,” Adams said.

Growing up in the Hudson Valley, New York, Adams often ran to parks. Now playing in England for AFC Bournemouth, he notes pitches are more accessible in Europe. In the U.S., there are 158 soccer fields per million residents, compared to 543 in Germany and 469 in France, according to OpenStreetMap.

“Here in Europe, kids play freely at a young age. Streets have soccer fields with goals; children play until sunset. The U.S. differs; sports like basketball, American football, and baseball are more accessible to youth,” Adams observed.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation aims to install 1,000 mini-pitches in underserved areas by 2026. Their study found 70% of predominantly Black and Hispanic communities lack such facilities. Post installation, 99% felt their communities became more active, and 98% felt safer.

Adams stressed the joy and cultural learning soccer offers, which he still enjoys. Children, like 10-year-old Valentino from Detroit, echo this sentiment. He practiced in his living room until a local mini-pitch became available. “Thank you for bringing this small pitch to my community. It helped me and others enjoy soccer and make new friends,” Valentino stated.

Adams also serves as an ambassador for Black Star Soccer, a platform created in 2021 to develop soccer in underserved Black communities in the U.S. Patrick Rose, Black Star Soccer’s property general manager, praised Adams’ influence. Adams’ visibility inspires young players, showing them they can reach professional levels.

“Growing up, seeing someone like Tyler would have inspired me, knowing I could reach that level,” Rose reflected.

Adams hopes mini-pitches across the U.S. foster increased diversity in soccer. He wants future games to reflect the U.S. men’s national team’s diversity seen on World Cup pitches.

“Our team’s diversity is wonderful. We represent various communities, ethnicities, and backgrounds,” Adams expressed.

Catch “My New Favorite Futbolista” on podcast platforms for more from Adams and other World Cup stars.