How One Woman Brought Youth Soccer to a Town That Had Never Played It

For years, if kids in Centreville, Alabama wanted to play soccer, they had to travel to another town—or not play at all. There were no local leagues, no teams, and no real options.

But Katie Crumpler, who grew up in Centreville, saw potential where others saw obstacles.

When she became the Executive Director of BMC Wellness Center, she wasn’t just focused on fitness—she wanted to build something bigger for her community.

“I wanted my kids to have something I didn’t have,” she says. “We don’t have a local parks and recreation in our community. For a while, there was a church-based program, but once that ended, there was nothing to continue those programs.”

So, she got to work.

Bringing MLS GO to the Community

Katie started by asking families what sport they were most interested in. The answer was clear: soccer.

The challenge? No one in town had ever run a soccer league before. There were no established programs, and most parents had never played the sport themselves. To gauge interest, she organized a community soccer day, inviting families to try soccer for the first time. The turnout proved what she already knew—kids wanted to play.

“Sports brings kids and communities together,” she says. “It’s more important to learn how to be on a team than anything else. My background as an occupational therapist taught me that play is a child’s most important occupation for learning.”

But without experienced coaches or a structured league to build from, getting started was a challenge.

That’s where MLS GO came in.

With pre-templated marketing materials, she was able to spread the word quickly. The official branded uniforms gave kids a sense of pride and excitement. And structured resources, like the MLS GO PLAYBOOK, helped first-time coaches feel confident leading teams.

Currently, 128 kids are signed up for MLS GO as they get ready to kick off their first season, and for many of them, it’s their first experience playing in an organized league.

“The kids were super pumped about the jerseys,” Katie says. “Before, they were just getting T-shirts. Now, they feel like the players they see on TV.”

Growing Soccer in a Small Town

Katie’s work isn’t just about soccer—it’s about building a foundation in her community. Studies show that kids who participate in sports have higher self-esteem, perform better academically, and develop stronger leadership skills. Through RCX Sports and Major League Soccer, she’s creating a structured, team-driven experience that gives kids a place to grow both on and off the field.

And as interest grows, she’s looking ahead to expanding soccer opportunities for different age groups and skill levels.

“We’ve already had older kids asking about playing,” she says. “We started with youth, but I’d love to offer more for teens and even adults down the road.”

Leading the Way—On and Off the Field

Even with limited resources and no established soccer culture, Katie has built something lasting. And she’s not stopping anytime soon.

“I don’t think anyone knew what to expect,” she says. “But when you give kids a chance to play, you see how much it means to them. And that makes it all worth it.”

Because when one person steps up to make a change, entire communities benefit. And thanks to Katie, kids in Centreville aren’t just playing soccer for the first time—they’re building something bigger for the future.