Last December, 1.5 billion people across the globe had eyes on the FIFA men’s World Cup Final between Argentina and France for all or some point during the 120-minute thriller. The current Women’s World Cup is expected to set viewership records.
And in popular culture, Ted Lasso became a cult hero, with the fictional series centered around an American coaching an English Premier League team accumulating more than 25 billion minutes of viewing in the United States since it premiered in August 2020.
The sport has never been more popular in the United States, and kids are taking to their local grassy fields channeling their inner Leo Messi, Megan Rapinoe or, of course, Jamie Tartt.
Kyle Albrecht, B.B.A. ’10, is helping to ensure the world’s game belongs to everyone.
Albrecht, a four-year player on the George Washington University men’s soccer team from 2006 to 2009, spearheaded the launch of Major League Soccer’s recreational program designed to increase participation and access for kids outside of the existing soccer ecosystem. Called MLS GO and powered by a partnership between the league and RCX Sports, the program will provide support and MLS branding to existing public recreation leagues to provide boys and girls ages 4 to 14 with an affordable local soccer experience as an alternative to the more expensive youth travel clubs.
MLS GO will debut this fall in 18 markets, including Washington, D.C.
“The opportunity to have this full-circle experience and now being able to give back to that grassroots level of the game is something that has been really important to me for a long time,” said Albrecht, a GW marketing graduate who is MLS’ senior director of properties. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to be a part of that story and play a little role hopefully in setting that foundation long term in giving more kids the opportunity to play this game.”
GW men’s soccer coach Craig Jones, who was an assistant when Albrecht donned the buff and blue, could tell Albrecht’s love for the game based on his practice habits alone. A center midfielder who played in every game during his four-year career, Albrecht led by example and was always a player pushing others in practice.
Seeing him instill that passion on to other generations gives Jones a great sense of pride.
“Any time you give back to the game and generate enthusiasm within the community for kids is tremendous. It’s certainly special when it’s alumni who have been in the program at GW,” Jones said. “For him, it just shows how much he loved the game, and instilling that passion to other young athletes is awesome.”
While soccer is a sport that’s only real requirements include a ball and open patch of grass, it has become an expensive endeavor to play an organized version of it. Fees that go toward the costs of uniforms, insurance, referees and travel can come with a high price tag for families.
The goal with MLS GO is to have meaningful interaction with the grassroots level of the game.
“We’re very focused on ensuring as many families as possible have the opportunity to participate in the game and do that through our program at a price that allows as many kids as possible to play regardless of their background,” Albrecht said.
It was also important for Albrecht and MLS to pounce on this undertaking with the sport’s popularity soaring, especially in the United States, where Messi, arguably the world’s most well-known athlete, has just begun his career with the MLS’ Inter Miami CF. The United States, Mexico and Canada are hosting the men’s World Cup in 2026, while the same countries are currently bidding for the women’s World Cup in 2027.
Now was the time to act.
“This was our opportunity to build a strategy that we think is a long term one that is enduring beyond those big events and players coming into the league, and one that we can build on into the future,” Albrecht said.
Aside from the lifelong connections with teammates, coaches, classmates and faculty members at GW, he is most grateful that his time at the university was more than just sports. He worked two other jobs, including at the Smith Center. He was active in the sports marketing program and has come back as an alumni guest at GW Business’ annual Sports Industry and Career Conference.
He built a community through soccer, and now he’s tasked with expanding it to youths of all backgrounds.
“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Jones said. “But (MLS) has the right person who is going to give everything he has to be successful.”
