A youth soccer organization in Lycoming County has several goals in mind.

UnitedGoals USA is not only getting youngsters into competitive matches but raising awareness for a variety of great causes.

It is a relatively new organization founded by Colin Gorini of Montoursville.

“In 2024, our first year, 26 teams participated, and we donated to Laura’s Hope Rescue and Haven to Home Canine Rescue, both organizations that my family has adopted from,” he said.

“This year, 53 teams joined us, and we contributed to the Pet Pantry of Lycoming County and Arthur’s Pet Pantry in Milton,” he added.

“Based on their data, that support will help feed around 1,000 pets for the year,” Gorini observed.

That kind of local growth is energizing and reflects the strong appetite for quality, community-focused soccer events in the region, he noted.

“Rescue dogs have given so much to my family, and this tournament is our way of giving back to them and the organizations that support them,” Gorini said.

Kicks 4 Canines is UnitedGoals USA’s annual 4v4 youth soccer tournament held every July at McCall Middle School in Montoursville.

“We started it to raise funds for local animal nonprofits, and it has grown into a true community tradition that supports pets and families across our region,” he said.

At UnitedGoals USA everything done is rooted in the belief that sports, especially youth sports, have the power to bring communities together, develop character, and create lasting impact. “Soccer is just our vehicle for delivering those deeper values,” Gorini said.

No stranger to the game, Gorini started his game play in his early years.

“I’ve played soccer since I was four, and I’m now 23, so I’m entering year 20 of my career,” he said.

“My parents were my biggest influence,” he said.

“My dad, Vic, coached both me and my sister growing up and has coached the Montoursville Girls Soccer program for 12 years. My mom, Amy, has always been my biggest fan.”

At Robert Morris University, Gorini played club soccer and served as club president for two years.

He called it the most impactful leadership experience of his life. “UnitedGoals USA grew out of my love for the game and my desire to give kids those same opportunities,” he said.

Soccer is growing exponentially locally in popularity among youths.

Games run between 20 and 50 minutes depending on the format.

“We follow an inclement weather policy, but our priority is always player safety and clear communication with coaches and families,” Gorini said.

Soccer rules and positions are widely known, but what makes this organization’s events unique is the flexibility of formats offered.

“At our events, teams range from small-sided 4v4 to full-sided 11v11, with roster sizes between seven and 18 players depending on the format,” Gorini said.

“Our tournaments typically serve youth players ages 7 through 16, with formats designed to give every age group meaningful opportunity to compete,” he said. “As we grow, we’d love to expand even further.”

Another nice aspect is most of the matches are local.

For the local events, players come primarily from the Greater Susquehanna Valley – nearly every township and community from Lock Haven to Berwick and beyond.

The group’s tournaments in Western Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia draw from a much wider scope of players across multiple states.

“Our upcoming Veteran’s Day Freedom Cup will take place at the East Lycoming Soccer Complex in Hughesville, which has seven great fields,” Gorini said.

Earlier this year, the organization also hosted a 4v4 tournament at UPMC Field at Pennsylvania College of Technology, “and we’re exploring options to return there in 2026,” Gorini said.

“​​Events hosted locally draw teams mostly from the Greater Susquehanna Valley, though we’ve welcomed teams from as far as Lancaster, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, and throughout the Northern Tier including North-Penn Liberty and Williamson,” he said.

The Pittsburgh and Northern Virginia events pull from across Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C., he said.

How do the coaches handle the emotions of the winning and losing? Is sportsmanship taught?

“Sports are wonderful because they bring out real, raw emotions,” Gorini remarked.

“Most coaches and programs handle all outcomes with positivity, which rubs off on their players and keeps the focus on their effort and growth,” he said, adding “others struggle with adversity, and that can affect kids negatively.

“We work hard to create an environment where competition and sportsmanship coexist – where kids are learning the game but also learning life lessons about respect and resilience.”

“We rely heavily on volunteer support from our partner programs for some events, like the East Lycoming Soccer Association and the Montoursville Lady Warriors,” Gorini stressed.

“I am very blessed with my support system– including my parents and girlfriend, who volunteer alongside our partner programs at events,” he said.

Paid staff include referees, athletic trainers, and event photographers, ensuring professionalism where it matters most.

There are concessions.

“Our partnered soccer programs run a concession as part of their fundraising component from the event, and we collaborate to ensure the menu is fun and appealing for everyone,” Gorini said.

“We also bring in food trucks and local vendors to make it a family-friendly experience,” he said.

Past favorites include Divine Creations, Faddie’s Pizza & Subs, and Kona Ice – which has become a staple,” he added.

Additionally, the partnered soccer programs run a concession as part of their fundraising component from the event.

“We collaborate to ensure the menu is fun and appealing for everyone,” Gorini said.

“We also bring in food trucks and local vendors to make it a family-friendly experience.”

“Every event is staffed with a certified athletic trainer. Safety is non-negotiable for us,” Gorini said.

Have any players gone on to compete at upper levels?

“We’re still young as an organization – founded in 2024 – so we haven’t had enough time to see our alumni rise to new levels yet,” Gorini said.

“But the amount of talent we’ve seen in this region and beyond is undeniable, and we fully expect to see many of these kids playing in college and beyond,” he said.

“We run tournaments March through November, scheduled around youth league seasons so we complement, not compete, with them. Teams get themselves to events — usually parents or coaches carpooling.”

“The support from parents has been tremendous, whether it’s through coaching, volunteering or cheering on the sidelines,” Gorini said.

Events are designed to be family-friendly because youth sports thrive when parents are actively involved.

How can people help the organization?

“The biggest way people can support us is by participating in our tournaments, sponsoring events, or volunteering,” Gorini said.

“That fuels everything we do. Beyond that, simply spreading the word — following us on social media, signing up for our newsletter, or introducing us to those that share our passion for youth soccer & impacting our community – helps us grow and reach more families.”

“We’ll be finalizing and announcing our 2026 schedule this fall,” Gorini said.

“We expect to run three tournaments in Lycoming County next year, along with events throughout Western Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, and beyond.”

In 2026, the organization aims to host three youth tournaments in Lycoming County, in addition to multiple events in the Pittsburgh and Northern Virginia regions.

“The goal is to keep expanding affordable, high-quality playing opportunities for youth across the Mid-Atlantic,” Gorini said.

As a side note: September is Youth Soccer Month

Veterans Day Freedom Cup is the next local tournament, happening Nov. 8-9 in Hughesville. “We’re partnering with the East Lycoming Soccer Association, and proceeds will benefit PA Wounded Warriors,” Gorini said.

“The event will include a veteran presence on-site and an online apparel fundraiser to support the cause. We expect over 40 teams to participate.”

“I want to give a special thank you to Bob Hall and his team for welcoming us into this cause,” Gorini said.

“We’re always looking to partner with local businesses and nonprofits who share our mission of using sports to bring communities together,” he said.

“Our long-term vision is to keep expanding affordable, high-quality playing opportunities for youth across the Mid-Atlantic, while keeping community impact at the heart of everything we do.”

If anyone wants to get involved, whether it’s registering a team, sponsoring, or volunteering the best place to start is the organization’s website: www.unitedgoalsusa.com.