‘I’ll pay soccer before I pay a bill’: How the cost of youth soccer blew out of control and why some families pay it anyway

The Price of Passion: One Family’s Soccer Sacrifice

I ll pay soccer before I pay – Meliesha Johnson, a dedicated educator and single mother residing just outside Atlanta, first encountered the life-altering message through her daughter’s Instagram feed. Makenna, now fifteen and navigating her freshman year of high school, had been scrolling through her social media when the notification appeared. The invitation came from a prestigious soccer training organization—one that boasts professional player Christian Pulisic among its roster of clients. This wasn’t just any camp; it was part of their exclusive “pathways” program, and it was located in Denver.

Upstairs in Makenna’s unmistakably pink bedroom, the teenager was already on the phone with friends. Her room reflected this transitional period of adolescence: plush stuffed animals scattered across her bed, skincare products meticulously arranged on a vanity styled after Hollywood glamour. Unable to drive herself yet, Makenna constantly negotiated her independence, using her phone as both a compass and a window into the social world around her. The direct message represented something special—a personal invitation she had never received before.

A Soccer-Centric Childhood

Makenna’s journey into competitive soccer began at just five years old, when an academy director spotted her playing on a recreational team and recruited her into an under-eight squad. This meant competing against girls several years her senior from the very start. By age eight, she had transitioned to a more competitive club, eventually joining TopHat—a travel team currently ranked third in Georgia and twenty-second nationally. Two years prior, they had captured the national championship in their age division.

However, recent months brought both triumph and heartbreak. Two of Makenna’s teammates earned spots on the United States under-15 national team, while she did not. Last year, her team fell short at nationals after Makenna conceded a crucial goal during defense. Social media became both a source of inspiration and pain, constantly reminding her of opportunities passing her by.

“It just hurts sometimes because I feel like I’m not putting in enough,” Makenna shared with CNN Sports. “Or it leads me to believe I’m not doing enough when I’m really trying to give it my all. Or it makes me question my ability and wonder if, like, I’m actually as good as I think I am.”

The Denver Decision

Meliesha had initially planned a summer cruise for herself and Makenna, hoping to provide a break from their soccer-heavy lifestyle. Makenna had even used TikTok to connect with other teenagers attending the same cruise and was preparing packing lists. Then came the Denver invitation.

“I feel like she looks at my face to see if it’s OK, sometimes, to get excited about it. Or if I’m going to say we can’t afford it,” Meliesha explained. Financially, the camp was a stretch. Had Meliesha known about the opportunity beforehand, she likely would have canceled the cruise. But she interpreted the timing as a sign—don’t step away from soccer, because the best moments are approaching.

In Denver, Makenna faced new challenges. She worried about altitude effects and whether she would belong among peers with massive social media followings and famous parents. During the first team meeting without parents, she felt starstruck. Sharing the pitch with the nation’s top-ranked girls, Makenna initially struggled to keep up, nearly hyperventilating during training.

“Do you want the good part first, or do you want me to cuss you out?” Meliesha asked her daughter afterward. Makenna’s response was immediate: “I want you to cuss me out.”

Meliesha balanced criticism with encouragement, reminding Makenna of her talent and the coaches’ ability to see past her anxiety. She emphasized what was truly at stake for their family.

“We do not have money like these other people,” Meliesha said. “We came too far. The stakes are much more for us. You cannot blow this opportunity.”

Through financial overextension and emotional support, Meliesha demonstrated what many families experience when pursuing excellence in youth sports—where every opportunity, no matter the cost, feels worth the sacrifice.