10/14/2025
What a wonderful constructive day at the State of Soccer Summit: New York City & Northern NJ! The centerpiece and organizing framework for the day’s agenda was the soon-to-be-released Aspen Institute Project Play State of Play report. This particular report targets the local youth soccer ecosystem in the NY/NJ metro area, with the goal of solving for the challenges in the ‘system’ and identifying and creating opportunities for more children to play the beautiful game, at all levels.
The incredible strides made in here in the U.S. in the wake of the 1999 Women’s FIFA World Cup notwithstanding, the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup tournament in the U.S., literally, months away, presents a once in a generation opportunity for all of us in the youth soccer ecosystem to take it to another level.
There was great conversation at the conference, including the emergence of a host of sound and innovative ideas, leveraging expertise across multiple areas and private, public, non-profit, and government partnerships. The mission is clearly understood by all. However, now, is the time to align and operationalize the ideas into a cohesive and robust strategy to ensure success. Failure simply isn’t an option. The Game Planners are proud and excited to be a part of the solution!
Thank you, Jon Solomon, and your entire Aspen Institute Sports & Society team!
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