For Sophia Page, soccer has always been about more than what happens between the lines.
The Atlanta International School student grew up loving the game, but there was once a version of Sophia who might have struggled to tell you that. Quiet and reserved, she entered Atlanta United’s Youth Programs as one of the many young players looking for a place to play, learn and have fun. Years later, she is still part of that soccer community—but now she is standing on the other side of the field.
Sophia is one of three coaches selected for Atlanta United’s inaugural Junior Coach Program, an opportunity designed to give standout participants in the club’s Youth Programs the chance to transition from player to mentor. These days, her mornings are spent surrounded by energetic young players, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I like that there’s kids that are crazy, and I like wondering to myself, ‘Was that what I was like?’” Sophia said.
For someone who once barely spoke around new people, the experience has come full circle.
From a Quiet Young Player to a Confident Leader
Sophia’s journey through Atlanta United’s Youth Programs helped transform more than her understanding of soccer. It helped her discover confidence.
“I didn’t talk at all,” Sophia said. “I looked like some of the other kids. It’s definitely weird saying, ‘Oh that’s how I was.’”
Sophia began her journey in Atlanta United’s coed Kickstart Camps before progressing to Regional Development School training. The programs gave her opportunities to compete, develop her skills and meet young players from outside the familiar environment she had known for most of her life.
Having attended the same school since she was four years old, Sophia said youth soccer provided an important opportunity to step outside her comfort zone. At camps, she met children from different backgrounds, formed new connections and learned that soccer could be a bridge between people.
“I used to be shy,” Sophia said. “I think it’s about meeting new people and learning how I can get out of my comfort zone, whether I’m actually playing and doing stuff that I’ve never done before or meeting new people.”
For Sophia, those lessons became just as valuable as the soccer training itself.
Soccer Creates Confidence On and Off the Field
Sophia eventually returned to Atlanta United camps, including girls-focused programs where young players could develop through competition, teamwork and camaraderie. While soccer continued to fuel her competitive spirit, the environment also gave her space to grow socially.
Coming from an Argentinian background, Sophia grew up surrounded by a passion for the world’s game. Soccer was already part of her identity, but the coaches and experiences she encountered along the way helped her learn how to express that passion with confidence.
Now a rising junior in high school, Sophia is still considering where soccer might take her next, including the possibility of playing at the collegiate level. But the Junior Coach Program offered something entirely new: the chance to see the game from a different perspective.
“Because I’ve never coached before,” Sophia said. “I wanted to see that perspective.”
That curiosity has opened a new chapter in her soccer journey—and one where she can make a difference for young players who may be going through the same experiences she once did.
Paying It Forward to the Next Generation
Today, Sophia sees herself in many of the kids she coaches.
Some arrive at camp full of energy and ready to make friends. Others are quieter, hesitant and unsure how to connect. Sophia understands both personalities, but she has a special connection with the players who need a little encouragement to come out of their shells.
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple conversation.
“It’s very cool because there’s kids that just don’t talk in the beginning, and then you just start asking them random things like, ‘What’s your favorite color? Do you have any siblings? What’s your favorite sport?’” Sophia said. “Then, they’ll start talking more and more, and then at the end of the camp, they’ll just be so talkative.”
Her love for soccer makes those conversations even easier. Whether the kids dream of becoming the next Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marta, Mia Hamm or Carli Lloyd, Sophia enjoys helping them discover the game at their own pace.
And when she meets a young Argentina supporter, there is often an instant connection.
“Let’s just say I click more with the Messi fans,” Sophia said with a smile.
Creating Better Experiences, On and Off the Field
Sophia Page’s journey is a reminder that the environments we create can have a lasting impact on the people who experience them.
For Sophia, Atlanta United’s Youth Programs provided a space where she could step outside her comfort zone, meet new people and discover confidence through soccer. Now, as a Junior Coach, she is helping create that same welcoming experience for the next generation of young players.
That focus on creating meaningful experiences is also at the heart of the work of Miller EG Design. Through wayfinding, experiential graphics and thoughtful environmental design, Miller EG Design helps organizations create spaces that are easier to navigate, more welcoming and more connected to the people who use them.
Whether it’s on a soccer field, in a school, a healthcare facility or a community space, thoughtful experiences can help people feel more confident and connected.
Learn more about Miller EG Design and how better wayfinding and experiential design can help create better experiences for the people and communities you serve. Visit Miller EG Design.
What This Means for Atlanta Soccer
Sophia Page’s story is a reminder that the impact of youth soccer reaches far beyond goals, trophies and wins.
Programs like Atlanta United’s Junior Coach Program create opportunities for young people to grow into leaders while giving the next generation mentors who understand exactly what it feels like to take those first uncertain steps onto a field.
For Sophia, soccer helped turn a shy young player into someone willing to lead, teach and connect with others. Now, she is helping create that same environment for the kids following behind her.
Her journey is also part of the larger story of soccer’s continued growth across Metro Atlanta, where the game provides young people with opportunities to compete, build friendships and develop confidence that can last far beyond their playing days.
Readers can explore more stories about Atlanta United, youth soccer and the people helping grow the game across Georgia at Atlanta Soccer News.
Sophia may still have plenty of chapters left to write in her own soccer career. She could continue playing, pursue coaching or find another path within the game. But one thing is already clear: she has come a long way from the quiet kid who didn’t know how to speak up.
Now, she is the person helping someone else find their voice.
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What role has soccer played in helping you or someone you know build confidence? Share your story with Atlanta Soccer News and help us celebrate the people who are growing the game in our communities.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.