Sunday, September 27

12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 27

12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

St. Louis CITY SC’s HQ and Training Pitch 3

ST. LOUIS, MO (September 24, 2026) — U.S. Soccer, through Soccer Forward, in partnership with CVS Health, will host Play Starts Here – Growing Healthy Athletes Together, an interactive health and soccer experience bringing together youth athletes, parents, coaches, health experts, and community partners in St. Louis ahead of the U.S. Men’s National Team match.

The event on Sunday, September 27 will feature approximately 40 youth players ages 11–14 and their parents from CITY Futures (St. Louis CITY SC’s program that brings free soccer training and education to local youth) and Tower Grove Soccer Club.

Play Starts Here will begin in CITY SC’s HQ, SoMa House, with an interactive parent and player discussion with health experts and community leaders, including CITY Futures Executive Director Kemba Noel-London, exploring practical strategies around fueling and hydration, heart health, sleep and recovery, movement preparation, injury prevention, and creating positive youth sports experiences.

Following the discussion, the event will move to Pitch 3 at CITY SC’s training facility, where kids will participate in the Growing Healthy Athletes Youth Clinic with St. Louis CITY SC forward Simon Becher and U.S. Women’s Cerebral Palsy National Team defender Joey Martin.

MEDIA INFORMATION

Soccer Forward, U.S. Soccer, and CVS Health

Play Starts Here – Growing Healthy Athletes Together

– For planning purposes only, not for public release –

WHAT: Play Starts Here Clinic – Growing Healthy Athletes Together, an interactive health and soccer experience featuring a parent and player discussion followed by an on-field youth soccer clinic focused on building healthy habits on and off the field.

WHEN: Sunday, September 27, 2026

• Panel at SoMa House: 12:30-1:30 pm
• Youth soccer clinic on Pitch 3: 2:00-3:30 pm 

WHERE: Panel to take place at CITY Point at SoMa House (CITY SC’s HQ: 326 S. 21st Street St. Louis, MO 63103). Soccer clinic to take place on Pitch 3, CITY SC’s turf practice field located across the street from SoMa House.

WHO:                

• St. Louis CITY SC forward Simon Becher (soccer clinic only)
• Representatives from U.S. Soccer and Soccer Forward
• Representatives and health expert from CVS Health
• U.S. Women’s CP National Team defender Joey Martin
• Up to 40 youth players ages 11–14 and their parents from CITY Futures and Tower Grove Soccer Club

RSVP: Please RSVP media attendance to agoodman@ussoccer.org

Event Run of Show: 

• 12:40–1:35 p.m. Interactive parent and player panel at SoMa House
• 1:35–1:50 p.m. Transition to Pitch 3 for “Growing Healthy Athletes Youth Clinic” at St. Louis CITY SC’s training facility
• 2:00 p.m. Simon Becher arrival and introduction on Pitch 3; soccer clinic
• 3:30 p.m. Soccer clinic ends

** Media availability, photos, and content capture throughout the event at both locations**