After retiring from U.S. professional soccer in 2013, Amir Lowery moved back home to the Washington, D.C., area and began coaching at a youth club. He knew that the city’s immigrant communities include many soccer enthusiasts, but girls and boys from such communities were nowhere to be seen on the club circuit.

Two years later, Mr. Lowery co-founded the nonprofit Open Goal Project. He says he aimed to help “kids who had a passion for the game and wanted to play at a higher level,” especially those who can’t afford club fees.

“From an equity perspective, it’s pretty hard to beat,” says Camille Lesseig, a grant officer in local government. “Youth soccer is incredibly expensive.”

Why We Wrote This

Amir Lowery, co-founder of the nonprofit Open Goal Project, believes that the pay-to-play so

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