The sport of soccer has been growing exponentially in the United States over the past few decades, in large part due to the growth of Latino population throughout the country.
However, there has also been a barrier that has limited that growth from reaching its absolute peak within soccer, a barrier that has impacted the youth system more than anything.
In the United States, there's been a soccer system named "pay-to-play", a system that has placed a method where in order for a parent to sign-up their kid for a really good academy, there's a price that comes with that privilege.
This system has been heavily criticized by countless of soccer fans who understand that many of today's global soccer superstars gained their skills and knowledge of the sport from playing in the streets, in poor urban areas, coming from low-income families that could never afford to pay an academy to help their children grow into their potential.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, an eternal European soccer legend who previously played in the MLS, says that this system plays against the full-development of potential soccer superstars in the country.
"The sport is expensive here. For example, in order for my children to play in a good football team here, I have to pay $3,500 per child. I dislike it very much, because not everyone has the money needed and the sport should be something for everyone, because it unites people of whatever origin." said Ibrahimovic in an interview a few years ago.
Here in San Diego, Jonathan Long and Carlos Gamino are on a mission to facilitate local children's rise to the top of their soccer potential through their Co-founding project, Atletico Elite FC.
This non-profit organization, supported by only sponsors and donations, offers an affordable year-round academy opportunity for locals in San Diego, allowing families to commit entirely to one club as the base for their soccer growth.
"Our vision and goal is to offer Elite Level Coaching to players from the age of 5 old and up throughout our soccer academy," says AEFC. "Children will have the opportunity to train all year developing and mastering the core skills of soccer." the organization adds, on the club's fundamental values.
And once those teenagers turn 18 years of age, they become eligible to join their Premier Division Adult team that is part of one of the most prestigious leagues in the country, The United Premier Soccer League.
Atletico Elite FC's primary target aims to serve the middle to low-income family population in San Diego, families that see the love and passion in the young children of their family, but are living in an unfortunate financial situation where they cannot afford to sign up for a high-level club. 
One may question, "Well, what does Atletico Elite FC do any different from Pay-to-Play academies?"
This academy offers free(for families that qualify for no-cost) to a very low membership fee to join their organization, which would be the opposite of what the majority of soccer academies throughout the country have to offer in exchange for soccer growth.
"Our dream is to give the resources and exposure to those 'diamonds in the rough' and one day to get drafted to the big leagues around the world," says AEFC in a mission statement.
Carlos Gonzalez is part of the academy's AEFC Media team, and he says this is an amazing project in his eyes being someone who grew up in the South Bay of San Diego, where he saw an incredible amount of talent come out of his community, where financial challenge is a common situation for local athletes.
“Growing up in Chula Vista and San Ysidro I had friends and teammates that needed that little financial help, whether it was a ride to a game or finding a sponsor for their cleats. What AEFC is offering to our local communities is amazing, local kids have the opportunity to showcase their skills and play with passion and love for the game of soccer.” said Carlos Gonzalez.
For more information on this soccer non-profit organization, anyone can visit the team's official website at www.atleticoelitefc.com
