Fixing the American Soccer Youth System with Amir Lowery of Open Goal Project

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

FOX Sports

Soccer, News, Sports, Sports News

4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 21 May 2025

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this podcast episode, former professional soccer player Amir Lowery shares insights from his journey through the American soccer landscape and his transition into advocacy and leadership. A Wake Forest standout from 2001 to 2004, Lowery was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in 2005 and spent several years navigating both MLS and USL rosters, including stints with Kansas City and the Montreal Impact. After retiring from professional play in 2012, he launched a new chapter focused on social impact—culminating in his 2020 run for D.C.’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lowery discusses the origins of Open Goal Project, a youth soccer initiative started in 2015, and the organization's shift in 2019 from supporting players to establishing its own club. He outlines the current structure of Open Goal, including how many teams they field and the challenges they face operating within the U.S. youth soccer system. Lowery offers candid thoughts on what needs to change in the national setup, comparing today's youth development landscape to when he began Open Goal. He closes by reflecting on the best and worst aspects of soccer in America—emphasizing both its immense potential and the barriers that still limit access and equity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, Sunshine. I'm Alexi Lalas, and welcome to the State of the Union podcast. We look at the beautiful game on and off the field through the lens of red, white and blue colored glasses.
0:24.2	This is a special show. You will find it in your feed, a special interview with Amir Lowry,
0:29.9	an interesting young man with an interesting path when it comes to American soccer,
0:34.7	grew up in the D.C. area, went to Wake Forest, selected in the MLS Super Draft in 2005 by the
0:40.5	Colorado Rapids, played for a number of different MLS teams in the USLE played, in the NASL
0:46.7	he played indoor, outdoor, and then in 2020, he ran for representative as the delegate
0:52.5	from the district of Columbia.
0:55.3	Now he is the executive director over at Open Goal Project,
0:59.0	which provides opportunities for youth soccer players from low-income families in D.C.
1:04.0	And I thought, you know what?
1:05.1	I want to talk to this guy because I met him over the last couple of years at the congressional soccer game, and I found
1:14.4	him really, really interesting and kind of get a peek into what he is doing when it comes to youth
1:18.7	soccer out there. So, hope you enjoy it. All right, as promised, Amir Lowry, joining us here on the
1:24.0	State of the Union. Amir, I just gave your bona fides and a little bit of a background there.
1:29.9	So I guess take us back a little bit because you are of a generation now that has gone through
1:36.7	and lived in the ecosystem where MLS exists.
1:40.9	A lot more opportunities and pathways exist when it comes to a young American player.
1:46.9	So take us back to how you saw soccer and how you made your way into the professional ranks,
1:54.8	not just the places that you played, but more importantly, what you saw offered in front of you from a younger age.
2:01.4	For sure.
2:02.6	Yeah, well, first of all, it's a pleasure to be here.
2:05.3	Thanks for having me on Alexi.
	...

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