Mónica González teaches girls life skills through soccer

Americas Now

Mónica González played at the highest level of Mexican soccer, representing her country in both the 1999 Women’s World Cup and the 2004 Olympics in Athens. In 2009, with her chances to play dwindling, González switched to coaching by teaching girls from low income families in Chicago. Today, her Gonzo Soccer academies span three countries: the U.S., Colombia, and Mexico.

The most recent Gonzo Soccer academy is in Mexico City, which opened in December 2013. It offers girls more than just soccer skills by providing academic assistance and life training skills. Some of the girls are so poor they cannot even afford a soccer ball and must practice at home with water bottles or whatever else they can kick around.

“It’s not about being poor and it’s not about the money,” Gonzalez says. “It’s about the opportunity and the fact that we have the power, we have the opportunity to go and give them an opportunity, open doors for them.”

Americas Now visits Mexico’s capital city and meet this week’s game changer, Mónica González, who is empowering young women through a sport she loves.