Soccer Mom MVP Award

Every soccer team has an MVP. But if we’re being honest, the real MVP is usually on the sidelines.

In honor of Mother’s Day and our PARTY ON THE PITCH 2026 kick-off as soccer’s biggest stage debuts in Seattle, we’re celebrating the real backbone of every team with our “Soccer Mom MVP” Award.

Stories with a common thread

Together, these Soccer Mom MVP nominations celebrate parents and caregivers who make youth soccer possible through constant dedication, organization, encouragement, and love. Each story highlights someone who gives far more than the basics.

From juggling packed schedules, coordinating teams, driving carpools, managing travel, keeping players fed and equipped, organizing events, fundraising, advocating for inclusion, supporting athletes through injuries and setbacks, and building real community around the game—these nominees represent the often-invisible work behind every player’s success.

The common thread is clear: these are the people who show up again and again, in bad weather, heavy traffic, full calendars, and life’s chaos, because they care deeply about their kids, their teams, and their soccer community.

The Winners

It was not easy narrowing things down to five finalists—much less naming one winner! So we are naming three winners and honoring the two runners-up. All nominees will receive a prize from Dick’s Drive-In because everyone here is deserving.

Congratulations to our 2026 Soccer Mom MVPs: Amy, LaEisha, and Kathryn! Read their nomination stories below.

Amy Borberg

Nominated by Lisa Mohanty.

The Behind-the-Scenes MVP Keeping Bellevue Soccer Moving

Amy Borberg has spent countless hours supporting two local soccer teams, always working behind the scenes to make sure the players have what they need as an active member of the booster club. Amy serves as the uniform coordinator for the entire Bellevue High School soccer program. At the end of each season, she collects, sorts, and organizes jerseys, then redistributes them the following year. When she discovered that the freshman boys were wearing uniforms that had been in rotation for 12 years, she took action. Amy wrote a PTSA grant to help secure new uniforms for the freshman boys, making sure the newest players felt proud to represent their school. At the end of the season, she ensured more than 70 kits were ready for the next year, including laundering them on her own.

Making Every Player Feel Valued

Amy’s support goes far beyond logistics. At games, you can hear her cheering and clapping for every player as if each one were her own. Her encouragement is constant, genuine, and team-focused. She makes sure that each and every player feels included on the team. For this year’s class of 2026, she bought each of the 11 seniors special gifts with her own funds as well as 7 boys from the club team, including Gatorade bottles, soccer charms for their graduation caps, and gift cards. For high school senior night, she baked more than 100 cookies and brownies for all the families and fans that came out to celebrate, never asking other parents to contribute.

Clean Kits, Big Cheers, and Countless Hours of Care

Outside of soccer, Amy continues to serve youth and the community. She has been active in philanthropy as the Youth Coordinator for the National League of Young Men, which is a non profit organization of high school students. She has also volunteered with her son in the local community including Food Lifeline and Mutts and Meows. As a school nurse in the Bellevue School District, Amy’s heart is always with youth. Amy gives her time, energy, and care without asking for recognition. She supported her son through many games and tournaments and he is pursuing collegiate soccer at Norwich University in Vermont. She makes the team better on and off the field, and I believe this would be a wonderful way to celebrate Amy as her youngest son leaves the nest.

LaEisha Howard

Nominated by Kelis Barton (daughter) and Petra Gardenhire.

From Orange Slices to Sacrifices

My mom has been the MVP of soccer moms since the early 2000s. Whether it was providing the half-time orange slices in the early days or getting me to and from trainings while working multiple jobs, or traveling the world to come watch me play—she’s done it. I played for Crossfire Premier from ages 6–17, and I wouldn’t have been able to commit to play Division 1 soccer if it weren’t for my mom supporting me, picking me up every time I thought I was failing, and being my biggest cheerleader. She even changed her license plate to “KB51”, my soccer nickname.

A Lifetime of Showing Up for Every Game

My mom traveled to Minnesota from Seattle to surprise me for my first game back from my second ACL surgery. My mom this year traveled to England for the first time to watch me compete professionally for my current team. she’s my reason why & the ultimate soccer mom MVP! She now wakes up and watches my games every Sunday morning at 6am because of the time difference. Even though soccer was never her sport (track was) she would try her best to help me train when I wanted to go for a kick about in the park when I was younger. She’s dedicated her life to being a soccer mom & is a great role model for moms who have to dedicate so much time and effort into their children’s sport and also cope with their child having multiple injuries & being away from home.

Supporting Her Every Step of the Way

LaEisha has supported her daughter Kelis Barton throughout her career. Kelis started with club soccer for Crossfire Premier. From there she played D1 Pac 12 division for WSU. Then University of Central Florida. Then semi pro in Minnesota before going to England. She plays for Rugby Borough Women’s FC now, and she has been with Kelis the entire time! Long hour flights to London, but that’s what you do when you’re a True, Committed Soccer Mom! I couldn’t think of a better person to accept this award. She’s truly AWESOME!!!!

Kathryn Kamin

Nominated by Julian Kamin, Age 9.

Why My Mom Kathryn Deserves the 2026 Soccer Mom MVP

My mom Kathryn should win the Soccer Mom MVP because she is the best soccer mom in the whole entire world and I really mean that. She does so much stuff for me and my team the Chaos Crew and I want everyone to know about it. First of all, my mom brings the BEST snacks. Like actually the best ones. The other kids on my team always get excited when they find out it’s my mom’s snack day. She puts a lot of effort into it and you can tell she actually cares about making us happy after a hard game.

Cheering Is Believing

She also cheers SO loud at our games. Sometimes I get a little embarrassed but mostly I love it because when I hear her voice I know she is watching and she believes in me. When I have a bad game or I miss a kick and I feel really bummed out, she always knows what to say. She doesn’t make me feel bad. She just tells me she’s proud of me and that makes everything better.

My mom drives me all over Seattle for practices and games and tournaments. That is a LOT of driving. She never complains even when there is traffic or it is really early in the morning. She just shows up every single time. But my favorite thing is when she practices with me in the backyard. Even when it is cold and super wet and rainy outside, she still comes out and kicks the ball around with me. She actually used to be a really good soccer player herself so she knows what she is doing. She teaches me things and helps me get better. Not every mom would do that. Most people would just stay inside where it’s warm.

A Commitment to Chaos

My mom does all of this stuff because she loves me and she loves the Chaos Crew. She gives up a lot of her own time to make sure I can do the thing I love most. Soccer is really important to me and she knows that, so she makes it important to her too.

I think the Soccer Mom MVP should go to someone who shows up no matter what, who makes you feel good even when things go wrong, and who actually gets out in the mud and practices with you. That is my mom Kathryn. She deserves this award more than anyone. Please give it to her. Thank you.

The Runners-Up

Our Runner-Up nominees were incredibly deserving and stood out for their extraordinary dedication, support, and impact on their teams and communities. Each Runner-Up will receive a special prize package in recognition of everything they do behind the scenes to make youth soccer possible. We were genuinely inspired by every story submitted, and all remaining nominees will be hearing from us over the next week as we send a small Thank You gift to recognize and celebrate their commitment.

Jaclyn Lindstrom

Nominated by Colleen Isaacson.

Carpools, Cleats, and Constant Coordination

Jaclyn is my 2026 Soccer Mom MVP nominee. There are a million reasons why but here are just a few: she is the soccer mom of three wonderful children who participate in a year round AND high school soccer league. She makes sure they get to all their practices and games with uniforms washed, pressed, ready to go, supplied with their snacks and water. She’s always cheering them on from the sidelines. She never turns down a needed carpool or ride for any child or parent. She coordinates between parents and coaches on times, events, uniforms, fields, facilities, fees, permits and so much more.

Building Community Beyond the Sidelines

Parents look to her as a trustworthy source to come to with issues needing advice and resolution. She organizes fundraisers (like selling wreaths at Christmas time), events (like banquets) and even runs concessions in spring/summer with her girls to raise funds for the teams uniforms and fees. She accompanies the team to out of state tournaments giving them her support and help. She also has been reaching out to the soccer league to help out the community by getting local food trucks involved at the games.

Jaclyn does all this and more while working a full time job in sales including running and participating in community activities like golf tournaments, silent auctions, black tie events and is even on a committee participating at events for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. She is co-chair in the Boosters Club and participates and helps run a mother and son program where they have monthly meetings and activities to develop and nourish the mother-son relationship.

The Heart Behind Her Family

She is the biggest supporter and carer of her sister that has been fighting cancer for over five years and a mentor to her close friend that has just been diagnosed with the same. As you can see not only is she a big deal in her soccer community but also in her work, city, family and friends community as well. She is the heart of her family, nothing runs without her and I truly believe she is so deserving of this recognition!

Michelle Papka

Nominated by Makayla Mixan.

From Abu Dhabi to UW, Every Step Of the way

Michelle (Shellie) Papka has been a dedicated team mom to the Special Olympics at UW Unified soccer team for nearly 10 years! The Unified soccer team at the University of Washington participates in programs hosted by Special Olympics Washington, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting and empowering athletes with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). Our team participates in the Unified Sports division, meaning that our team consists of both people with and without intellectual disabilities. Shellie has supported her son, Ronnie, throughout his entire Special Olympics journey, even traveling to Abu Dhabi to support his soccer team at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Shellie and Ronnie found their way to the Unified at UW soccer team back in 2017 and have been loyal ever since!

The Team Mom Everyone Can Count On

Shellie has made quite an impact on our team since joining. As a committed team mom, Shellie always makes sure we have the supplies we need to run successful practices. She comes to every practice with extra soccer balls, equipment, and first-aid supplies to ensure that our practices run smoothly. She is even more prepared for our competition days, making sure that everyone has what they need to be the best athlete they can be on the field. In addition to making sure our team is prepared to be the best, Shellie also makes an outstanding effort to get to know everyone on the team. She is always willing to step in and offer help, whether it be helping set up our fields for practice, getting soccer drills organized, or even patching up a small scrape when someone takes a fall.

An Advocate for Inclusion On and Off the Field

Shellie has truly made a point of creating connections with all members of the team. Here is a quote from another team parent that highlights the impact that Shellie has had on the members of our team: “Shellie is committed to the team both as a leader and a caring adult. She understands the wide variety of personalities and disabilities of Special Olympics athletes, helping support them through challenges. My autistic daughter has frequent injuries and big emotional reactions when she gets overwhelmed. Shellie is always empathetic and encouraging no matter the situation and has become a trusted adult for her.”

Overall, Shellie deserves to win the Dick’s Drive-In Soccer Mom MVP award because not only is she an amazing soccer mom, but also an incredible advocate for inclusion. Her support of our soccer team plays a role in the bigger picture of creating a more inclusive and accepting world.

Stories with a common thread