As the U.S. Men’s National Team was preparing for the start of the World Cup, a group of kids from around Orange County were also honing their soccer skills.
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Bank of America hosted its inaugural “Soccer with Us” clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo for more than 100 kids.
U.S. Women’s National Team Ally Sentnor, along with her teammate Lily Yohannes and coach Emma Hayes, worked with kids on drills and short games on the stadium’s field.
Kids play a game during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids team up to protect the goal during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Women’s National Team player Ally Sentnor talks with Grey, from the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano, during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids put on their new socks and shin guards during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Women’s National Team player Lily Yohannes talks to participants in a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Michael and Shayla, from the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano, battle for the ball during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Eduardo, from the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano, runs drills during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids put on their new socks and shin guards during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Women’s National Team player Lily Yohannes, second from right, reacts as her coach, Emma Hayes, and teammate Ally Sentnor sing happy birthday to her along with participants in a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Women’s National Team player Lily Yohannes watches Nikolas, from the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano, kick a goal during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Women’s National Team player Lily Yohannes gives high fives during a soccer clinic at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. This was the national launch of the “Soccer with Us” clinics, part of Bank of America’s outreach to teach soccer fundamentals and life skills through soccer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sentnor said her message to the kids was to dream as big as they want.
“Whether that’s becoming a professional athlete or soccer player or an astronaut, whatever they want to do, they feel that they can dream that and they have the support around them to actually achieve that,” she said.
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The free event brought in kids from the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan Capistrano and the OC Soccer Club’s programs.
Michelle Boston, with Bank of America, said the clinic is a great way to give back to the community by teaching soccer skills, as well as leadership and community skills.
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Participants rotated through six skill stations.
Five of those were soccer skills and one was financial literacy.