Even the field.
Change the game.
Open Goal Project is dedicated to empowering our community through 100% free-to-play soccer programming.
Our programs harness the transformative power of sport to promote positive youth development, facilitate upward social mobility, and provide our youth with knowledge and resources to thrive.
We use soccer as a vehicle to uplift our community with holistic youth development programs that were previously inaccessible because of systemic barriers before Open Goal Project existed.
Open Goal Project is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
Donations via check can be sent to: Open Goal Project, 1640 Columbia Road NW Washington DC 20009
We provide young players from low-income families with access to high-level soccer. We empower these players and their families to navigate the costs and overcome barriers to play, using soccer as a vehicle for cultural enrichment, education, and life experiences.
Empowering Youth
Through Soccer
Transforming the Landscape of U.S. Soccer
We Create Opportunities for Talented Youth Nationwide
The Challenges We Tackle
Playing competitive youth soccer can cost thousands of dollars annually, which many families cannot afford. Beyond costs, lack of information, language barriers, transportation, and other systemic barriers keep talented players on the sidelines. At Open Goal Project, we empower talented players from marginalized communities and low-income families to maximize their potential, both on and off the field.
Our Winning Strategy
We break down barriers that keep players from high-level soccer opportunities. By offering free programs near public transportation, with professional coaches, community mentors, and bilingual leaders, we ensure access to innovative and positive soccer programs.
Making Dreams a Reality
By creating opportunities for young student-athletes from marginalized communities to access high-level soccer and helping them overcome traditional barriers, we’ve created a nurturing youth development model that empowers those players to pursue their dreams to play collegiately and beyond. We use soccer as a vehicle for growth, opening pathways for college access, upward social mobility, and to create a platform for our alumni to thrive in their careers after high school.
Our Groundbreaking, Free-to-Play Academy Team
DCFC’s Groundbreaking Method
In 2019, we launched our groundbreaking District of Columbia Football Club (DCFC), a 100% free-to-play youth soccer club, complete with high-level soccer instruction and competition to meet the needs of a growing number of kids in our community.
DCFC is DC’s first and only fully-funded 100% free-to-play youth travel soccer club. DCFC teams compete in formal leagues and tournaments against pay-to-play clubs from across the Mid-Atlantic region. A similar ‘pay-to-play’ youth soccer club would cost between $3,000-$5,000 annually in our region.
Making Real Impact
Beyond being free of charge, all DCFC programs are held within walking distance of public transportation and coached by culturally component, bilingual leaders to ensure accessibility and belonging.
Unlike pay-to-play clubs, our DCFC program is not only a soccer club, but a vehicle to develop our student-athletes holistically throughout the year. We focus on supporting and empowering youth with age-appropriate workshops and skills to ensure they are well positioned for success in the short, medium, and long-term.