Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Bruce Golding

Are kids’ sports leagues becoming a luxury item? Battle begins to keep them open for all

The World Cup loss by the U.S. men's national team on home turf was devastating for hopeful soccer fans — but it underlined a key argument for critics of America's $40 billion "pay-to-play" youth sports industry.

"World Cup losses will continue until America fixes its youth soccer system," an ESPN headline put it bluntly following Belgium's 4-1 victory in Seattle, Washington, earlier this month.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.