Soccer Moms: The Real MVPs with Coach Amanda Jimenez

Latina Soccer Moms

In this week’s episode of Ganadoras, we look into the world of soccer moms, the true MVPs behind the scenes. If you’ve been keeping up with the soccer world, you might be familiar with Antonela Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi‘s wife and the proud mother of Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. She identifies herself as a soccer mom, balancing her role as a mother while supporting her kids’ passions and her husband’s legendary career.

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For many, the term “soccer mom” brings to mind an image of a woman constantly juggling schedules, driving kids to practice, and cheering from the sidelines—but it’s much more than that. It’s about commitment, love, and being there as the guiding presence helping to shape the next generation of athletes.

Coach and soccer mom Amanda Jimenez discusses the importance of youth soccer

This week’s episode is extra special because we’re featuring Amanda Jimenez, a devoted coach and mom who perfectly embodies the essence of a soccer mom. She is the powerhouse behind the Dena Dinos, a local youth soccer team. Her enthusiasm for the sport and her dedication to the kids she coaches was apparent during our conversation. Amanda shared that being a coach has allowed her to overcome obstacles and create an inclusive environment for all families, regardless of their backgrounds.

“Being able to come in as a coach, have a diverse team, and be able to also be bilingual, allows me to touch those moms and those dads and those families that may still have those beliefs that this isn’t for them. And say, ‘Hey, hold on, this is more than just soccer. Come show up.’”

Amanda went on to describe how soccer is so much more than just a game—it’s a way for parents and children to bond and experience something special together. Her ability to connect with the parents of her team, especially those who may not have seen soccer as part of their family’s future, is a big part of what makes her so effective.

soccer mom

“Having something that we are all dealing with. We are all raising children of the same age. Come together and watch how beautiful that experience can be. And that you have support, you have other people going through the same things.”

Her description of the early stages of coaching young children was heartfelt and authentic. It’s not just about scoring goals—it’s about the joy of being part of a team, even if the kids are more interested in picking flowers than playing soccer.

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“What it becomes is two or three-year-olds on a field chasing balls, scoring goals. You have big feelings. They’re picking flowers, they’re picking noses. And those parents that didn’t necessarily see their children possibly making anything of this, now see their children full of joy and community, and being able to say, ‘Okay, I guess I can give this a shot. I guess I can let my girl play soccer.’”

soccer mom

Amanda also touched on the broader importance of starting kids in sports at a young age, even if there’s no intention of turning them into future Olympic medalists. The skills and experiences they gain during these early years are invaluable and shape their lives, the community around them, and the future of sports.

“I think that it is an important message that everyone out there understands that early childhood is just as important. They may not be the Olympics or on ESPN or any of those types of things. But it’s really entertaining, and it’s shaping the future of sports, but also the community.”