Inspiring Conversations with Xavi Valdez of Lambda Rising Soccer Club

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavi Valdez.

Hi Xavi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in El Paso, Texas, where soccer wasn’t just a sport—it was part of who I was. I was fortunate to play at a high level from a young age, eventually joining the Youth Mexican National Team and later playing NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I earned my B.S. in Sports Administration.

After college, I shifted my focus to coaching and youth development. I spent about 10 years in the Washington, D.C. area building a career in youth soccer, learning from some of the top coaches in the industry, and leading teams on international trips to places like Costa Rica and Barcelona. It was during this time that I began to realize how I could use my position to expand access to transformative experiences through soccer.

In 2017, my wife and I moved to San Diego with our daughter. As a queer parent and coach, I started to notice how few inclusive, affirming spaces existed in youth sports—especially for LGBTQ+ kids and families. That gap inspired me to create something new.

In 2021, I founded Lambda Rising Soccer Club to build the kind of space I wish I had growing up. I imagined a space where athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers could show up fully as themselves, participate with joy, and find community. What started as a grassroots idea has grown into a nonprofit with year-round programs and a clear mission: to build inclusive community through soccer.

That’s what keeps me going every day—the chance to build something that doesn’t just change how people play, but how they feel about who they are while they play.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been smooth, but I think the hard parts have been the most defining.

Starting Lambda Rising Soccer Club was deeply personal for me, and with that came a lot of emotional weight. I wasn’t just building a program—I was trying to create the kind of space I wish had existed for me growing up. When you’re trying to create something that hasn’t existed before, the road is rarely easy.

In the beginning, there was a lot of doubt, externally and internally. Some people didn’t understand why a dedicated LGBTQ+ soccer space was necessary. Others thought it would be too “niche” to sustain. I questioned myself, too: Would families show up? Would players feel safe? Would this actually make a difference?

Funding is tough. Getting field space is tough. Wearing every hat—from coach to fundraiser to administrator—can be exhausting. And as a queer woman of color, I’ve definitely walked into rooms where I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. But those struggles clarified the mission. They made me sharper and more intentional. They reminded me why this work matters.

A major turning point came during one of our early youth sessions. A parent pulled me aside and said, “I’ve never seen my kid this comfortable on a field before.” That one sentence made every challenge feel worth it. Since then, we’ve grown steadily—not just in numbers, but in depth. We’ve built trust in the community, secured some funding to expand access, and created real joy for people who have never felt fully safe in sports. More funding is always needed!

The road hasn’t been smooth, but rough roads often lead to the most beautiful scenery!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Lambda Rising Soccer Club is more than just a soccer club—it’s a movement centered around belonging, visibility, and joy for LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and families. We’re based in San Diego and are proud to be the first and only youth serving soccer organization in the region created specifically for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

What we do goes beyond the game. Yes, we offer high-quality soccer programs—youth clinics and leagues, after school soccer programs, year around adult pick-up soccer, and an annual tournament—but our deeper mission is to create an intentional safe space in sport. A place where players of all identities, orientations, and expressions can show up fully as themselves and know they are seen, respected, and celebrated.

We specialize in inclusion. Our coaching staff and volunteers are majority LGBTQ+, our training curriculum is equity-centered, and our approach is trauma-informed. We’re known for creating a culture that combines serious soccer with radical welcome—a rare balance that attracts players who have often been pushed to the margins in traditional sports spaces.

What sets us apart isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it. We build trust. We prioritize community. We focus on joy and meet people where they are, whether they’re picking up a ball for the first time, or returning to the game after years away.

Brand-wise, we’re most proud of what we represent: visibility, resilience, and a new model for how sports can look when everyone is included from the start. Lambda Rising stands for rising together—through play, through pride, and through community.

If you’re looking for a soccer space that feels like home, or if you believe sports can be a force for belonging, you’ll find that at Lambda Rising Soccer Club.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
No one builds something like Lambda Rising alone—and I’ve been incredibly lucky to have people around me who believed in the vision even before it fully existed.
First and foremost, my wife has been my biggest supporter. She’s been there through every late-night planning session, every field setup, every hard conversation, and every big decision. Her encouragement and belief in the importance of this work kept me going, especially during the early days when I didn’t know what the response would be.

I’ve also had an amazing group of friends, community members, and early volunteers who helped shape what Lambda Rising is today. Some were players. Some were parents. Some just showed up because they believed LGBTQ+ kids and adults deserved better in sports. Their feedback, time, and trust were invaluable—and they helped us grow in the most organic and community-rooted way.

I want to give a special shoutout to the coaches and volunteers who stepped up early on—especially those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves. It takes courage to be visible in this work, and they brought not only skill, but heart, to every practice and game. They are role models in every sense.

Also, the local organizations and partners who gave us a shot—whether it was field space, a grant, a platform, or a word of encouragement—made a big difference. Those first “yeses” were everything when most doors felt closed.

And finally, the players and families—they are truly the heart of this work. Their willingness to show up, trust the process, and claim space in a sport that hasn’t always embraced them is why Lambda Rising exists. They’re not just participants—they’re co-creators of this movement.

So yes, while I may have founded Lambda Rising, its success has been built by a community of believers, builders, and brave first-timers. I’m endlessly grateful to all of them.

Pricing:

• We aim to keep our programs as financially accessible as possible. No one is turned away for inability to pay.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LambdaRisingSoccer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lambda_rising_soccer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LAMBDARISINGSOCCER2021
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavi-valdez