Building a Soccer Future for Oakland | Cody Pillon, Oakland United & Oakland Genesis

How can soccer create opportunities beyond the field? Oakland native Cody Pillon joins Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban to discuss his journey through youth, college and professional soccer—and the work he is now doing to transform access to sports in his hometown. Cody explains how Oakland Genesis provides free soccer, transportation, academic support and college and career guidance to Oakland students. He also shares the vision behind Oakland United, which is working to renovate and maintain public athletic spaces for youth organizations throughout the city. The conversation also explores Oakland’s selection as a U.S. Soccer Soccer Forward community and the organization’s investment of just under $400,000 to support field improvements, coaching education and expanded access to the game. The episode covers the pay-to-play system, the shortage of quality fields and the opportunity to turn World Cup momentum into a lasting community legacy. Subscribe for more conversations with the players, coaches and leaders shaping soccer in the Bay Area and beyond.