Free Football For All

NYCFC Youth Programs are excited to introduce a soccer program that makes the game more accessible while creating an environment for players to improve their game improvisation, creativity, decision making and leadership skills.

Presented in partnership with Fidelis Care, Free Football for All is designed to be casual play for youth soccer players in and outside the five boroughs from April – November. Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 2.5 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.

The format of the program will be street style soccer that will be player lead and facilitated by NYCFC Youth Program coaches. Players will play in 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5 games. The program is coed and for players aged U7 – U9 (born in 2016 - 2014), U10 - U12 (born in 2013 - 2011), U13 - U14 (born in 2010 - 2009) with each age block participating in 1 hour of play per session.

Check below for all current and upcoming locations for the 2023 season.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Why Pick Up/Street Style Soccer?

Open-play, or street style soccer fosters an environment for players to showcase their skills and personality through an unstructured approach. Pick up play requires players to adapt to match conditions that take shape in a free playing environment. In accordance with US Soccer’s Play-Practice-Play Model (PPP), grassroots players learn through the game. Making their own decisions and discovering solutions to different situations on their own.

The structure of this program enables players to play as much continuous play as possible that will increase their touches on the ball and, in turn, creating an environment for players to improve their game improvisation, creativity and decision-making skills.

NYCFC Coaches:

Our coaches will be onsite to observe each session and provide a safe environment for players to play. Coaches will bring equipment and supervise and manage pitch rosters and participation flow. Coaches are instructed not to coach and allow for as much continuous play as possible.

It is important to note that this program is designed to be player lead. Having players take ownership of their play and make leadership decisions when organizing each game is a core principle of this program.

Schedule:

The program will run during the outdoor soccer seasons in areas around New York (April – November).

Spring: April, May, June
Summer: July, August
Fall: September, October, November

*Guidelines & Protocols subject to change based off NYS & CDC guidance