​TACOMA, Wash. — Over the last five years, the North Tacoma Soccer Club has more than doubled in size, now boasting more than 50 teams spanning genders and a wide range of ages. The World Cup’s presence in town has amplified the excitement surrounding the club and the sport, sparking fresh energy and rallying more families to participate. “The World Cup is always fun because it heightens everyone’s interest in soccer,” says Joseph Mathias, a coach with the North Tacoma Soccer Club’s Sparta Tacoma U17 squad.
As club leaders look toward the future of U.S. national teams, questions are surfacing about how accessible soccer can be for young athletes across the country. Mathias’s team recently captured a national championship in their age group in Tacoma, a remarkable achievement for a community-sponsored club competing against programs with broader national reach and greater financial resources. Mary Anderson, the club’s Board President, notes that this victory demonstrates the potential of community clubs to develop high-level talent. “We’re showing that community clubs can produce talent,” she states. “I like to think of ourselves as the small club with big talent, and we’ll keep working to ensure these kids have the opportunity to be seen and to compete.”
Cost is another critical factor in the conversation. While some clubs charge as much as $15,000, North Tacoma operates on a far more affordable model, charging under $2,000 per year and offering financial aid to players who need assistance. Yet even with scholarships and aid, the club cannot fund every player who could benefit, and the gap remains a challenge. The reality of a pay-to-play system contrasts with practices in other countries where soccer funding mechanisms can create a more direct flow of resources from professional leagues and players to grassroots clubs. As Mathias explains, “FIFA has structures that allow money from professional contracts to trickle down to the clubs where players began. You see that dynamic frequently in Europe. In the United States, that trickle-down effect is less straightforward, and it can be difficult to determine which clubs should receive compensation.”
Despite these financial realities, both Mathias and Anderson refuse to wait passively for systemic changes to grant more funding. Instead, they’re relying on community involvement to bridge the gap and expand access to opportunities for talented players. “There has to be faith from the community in support of those programs, no matter how that support looks,” Mathias says. “Should professional teams support local community clubs? Should local banks invest in the teams where our kids play? The answer is yes—every stakeholder should play a role in backing these programs.”
The North Tacoma Soccer Club’s growth mirrors a broader national trend toward more inclusive access to youth soccer, yet it also underscores ongoing disparities in funding and resource availability. As the World Cup lingers in the community’s memory and continues to inspire new participation, the club remains focused on expanding opportunities for aspiring players while maintaining a commitment to affordability and merit. By keeping costs attainable and pursuing broad-based community support, North Tacoma aims to sustain its mission: to develop local talent, elevate the profile of community clubs, and provide pathways for young players to compete at higher levels without prohibitive financial barriers. As Anderson puts it, “If the community believes in these programs and backs them, the impact can be transformative—on the field, in the locker rooms, and in the lives of these kids.”