The game is in youth

When we proclaimed that "The Game is in US," we truly meant all of the United States.

The runners-up to our "Be the Face" of the bid contest display just that. Our first runner-up, Michael, is a professor, our second, Kamran, is an Afghani immigrant and our third is a sixteen-year-old soccer player and fan.

Meet Cody from Bridgewater, CT:

My name is Cody and I am 16-years-old.

I know there are a lot of adults with compelling stories about why they should be the face of soccer. But, I would like to submit my letter to represent the youth of America.

I have played soccer my entire life, from town-rec teams to school teams; from Premier Club Soccer to Varsity Soccer at my High School; and from outdoor in the Spring and Fall to indoor in the Winter. I have had my referee license for four years and have coached boys U8 and U9 teams in my town. I am a season ticket holder for the New York Red Bulls and I want nothing else but to play college soccer!

We, the youth of America, are the faces of soccer. We are the ones who will fill the stands of professional stadiums, challenge each other on playing fields, and cheer each other on. We are the ones who will pass along our love of this great sport to our children.

My parents joke and say I don't have feet. Instead they say that I have soccer balls connected to my ankles because I am rarely without a ball at my feet. I am the face of soccer and along with the rest of the kids in our country will represent this sport forever.