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FIFA Women's World Cup inspires youth soccer programs

Girls soccer team.JPG
Posted at 6:00 AM, Jul 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-22 07:00:46-04

SALADO, TX — Interest in youth soccer is surging. Many youngsters are drawing inspiration after the U.S. Women’s National Team won the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

“I really enjoy playing soccer because it’s a fun sport that I get to play with my friends,” said Emily Lemus, a player in the Salado Youth Soccer Association.

The world watched as the USWNT gained international glory. Many young soccer fans couldn’t help but think about the possibility of one day playing for our country.

“I watched all the games that they played and while watching them I saw how they played and I wanted to be more like that,” said Taylor Dabney, a player in the Salado Youth Soccer Association.

The young players we spoke with recount how they watched the women’s national team last year.

“We were sitting in the end zone and we got to see a corner kick. And Lindsey Horan scored off the corner kick so our daughter at the end of the game said, that’s what I want to be like,” said Dianne Lemus, coach. These inspirational stories help foster growing youth soccer programs.

“It all starts here on the local youth fields you see out here,” said Ruben Lemus, coach.