“Soccer is a game that belongs to everyone,” says Tab Ramos
Former U.S. international star and youth-coach backs a grassroots initiative to make soccer a universal language. Growing up playing youth soccer in New Jersey, Ramos continues to gives back – now as Ambassador to Every Kick Counts.
A Game That Brings the World Together
When Tab Ramos speaks about soccer, his voice carries both authority and heart. Now, the former U.S. Men’s National Team star and longtime coach has taken on a new role as Ambassador for Every Kick Counts, a youth-driven initiative founded by New Jersey high school student Zack Dabby. The organization’s mission is simple yet profound: to bring people together through soccer and inclusion — one kick at a time.
More than a soccer icon in the United States, Ramos is a bridge between eras — between street-football promise and professional structure; between immigrant roots and American opportunity. Now, as ambassador for Every Kick Counts, he is using that experience to help unite young players from diverse backgrounds through the power of the game.
“Soccer brings the world together and helps kids feel included.”
Tab Ramos
In his new role with Every Kick Counts, Ramos makes clear what drives him: “Soccer brings the world together and helps kids feel included.” Diane Scavuzzo asked him why he took on the ambassadorship and he answered that he was impressed by how young founder Zack had built something “well beyond his years.” Ramos emphasised that his own role is to help the idea become reality — provide access to networks, share best practices, and amplify the message.
The Bigger Picture: Growth, Access & Culture
Ramos believes that the upcoming World Cup will create unprecedented attention for soccer in the U.S.: “Every TV show, every commercial, everything will be about soccer,” he predicts. But he also stresses that while exposure is important, true growth doesn’t depend solely on money: “Soccer all around the world doesn’t need money to exist at its most basic level.” He recalls his childhood playing with a homemade ball, underscoring his belief that sport should remain accessible, even as elite pathways grow.
He defends organised, pay-to-play youth programmes as necessary for professional development, yet cautions that they must be balanced with grassroots, organic opportunities for every child.
As Every Kick Counts, sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health, launches its next chapter, Ramos stands not just as ambassador, but as living proof that the game can be both elite and accessible. His voice adds gravitas; his story adds inspiration. For every young player who dreams, he is a reminder: the field is open, but it must be kept open to all.
SoccerToday Interview with Tab Ramos
Diane Scavuzzo: Tab, congratulations on becoming an ambassador for Every Kick Counts. What inspired you to get involved?
Tab Ramos: Soccer brings the world together and helps kids feel included. What impressed me most about Zack is that he created something truly unique. He’s thinking well beyond his years, and I wanted to support that. My role is to help his ideas come to life — to connect him with the right people and help open doors.
Diane Scavuzzo: You’ve had an extraordinary journey — from Uruguay to New Jersey, from youth player to World Cup veteran. How does that path influence how you view this ambassador role?
Tab Ramos: My story is very much about opportunity. I came to the U.S. as a young kid, fell in love with the game in the streets and schoolyards, and eventually made it to the national team. That experience showed me that soccer can connect people from completely different worlds.
Soccer is a universal equalizer — no matter where you’re from or what you have, you can play.
Diane Scavuzzo: One of the things you’ve emphasized is that soccer “doesn’t need money to exist at its most basic level.” Can you expand on that?
Tab Ramos: Everywhere in the world, kids play with whatever they can find — a plastic bottle, a rolled-up sock, a ball that’s half flat. That’s soccer. The game doesn’t need much to thrive. Organized youth soccer, travel teams, and professional coaching absolutely require funding, and that’s fine — those programs help players develop. But the game itself? It grows from passion, creativity, and community. It should never be something that only belongs to those who can afford it.
Diane Scavuzzo: The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America. How do you think it will affect soccer’s popularity here in the U.S.?
Tab Ramos: I think it will be bigger than anything we’ve ever seen. Every TV show, every commercial — everything will be about soccer. It’s going to dominate the conversation. And when the tournament ends, we’ll still see more interest than before, though maybe not at the same level. What matters is how we use that moment to build something lasting — better coaching, more fields, and more inclusion.
“All around the world, at its most basic level, soccer doesn’t need money to exist.”
Tab Ramos
Diane Scavuzzo: There’s been a lot of discussion about the pay-to-play model in youth soccer. You’ve spoken openly about it — how do you view it today?
Tab Ramos: The pay-to-play system isn’t perfect, but it exists for a reason. Professional coaching, safe facilities, and structured programs cost money. That doesn’t mean it’s bad — it just needs balance. We have to make sure we don’t shut out kids who can’t afford to play. Soccer should grow in two ways: organized programs for those pursuing a professional path, and organic spaces for everyone who just wants to play for joy.
Diane Scavuzzo: Finally, what’s one message you want every parent, every young player to hear right now?
Tab Ramos: If you want to play soccer, you can find a way. And if you have a chance, take it. Make the field bigger for those behind you. That’s part of what Every Kick Counts stands for.
The Bottom Line:
Ramos’ message is clear: the sport’s greatest power lies in its simplicity. Every Kick Counts embodies that truth — soccer doesn’t just develop players; it connects people, strengthens communities, and gives every child a place to belong.
As Major League Soccer’s first-ever signing in 1995 before the launch of its inaugural season, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee and veteran of three FIFA World Cups, Tab Ramos’ leadership on the pitch as a player is clear. His impact as a coach equally powerful. Ramos was the Head Coach of the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team and helped develop Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Sergiño Dest. In addition, Ramos is also the former U.S. Men’s National Team Assistant Coach (under Jürgen Klinsmann) and was the Head Coach of MLS’ Houston Dynamo from 2019 to 2021.
Dabby’s Every Kick Counts website states, “We started Every Kick Counts NJ to create a unique space where mentally disabled young athletes can experience the joy of sports, fostering connections with volunteers and friends in a supportive environment. We envision a future where sports serve as a bridge for all individuals to unite, learn, and uplift one another in a vibrant community setting.”
We can only applaud this effort and wish to congratulate everyone involved, especially Zack Dabby, a Freehold Boro High School sophomore who thinks well beyond his years and acts with greater confidence and determination than many three times his age. “My hope is to grow this initiative and replicate it with other state associations across the country,” says Zack Dabby.
Takeaways for Coaches, Parents, Players & Clubs
Every Kick Counts offer one critical lessons:
- Inclusion first: Make sure every child, regardless of background, ability or budget, who can kick a ball does.
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