New Riverbend Fútbol Club set to connect community and youth sports in Reston, NoVa

By Anthony Ozdemir, Staff Writer

Photo contributed by Riverbend Fútbol Club

This spring, Riverbend Fútbol Club launches with a clear mission: to keep soccer fun for kids while reconnecting the community with youth athletics. Led by experienced directors, the club emphasizes character and confidence, growth on and off the field, and meaningful community engagement—pushing back against trends that have reshaped the youth sports landscape.

That mission responds to challenges facing youth sports nationwide. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the sharp rise in sports specialization has contributed to increased stress, anxiety, burnout, and a loss of community connection among young athletes, with nearly 70 percent of children dropping out of youth sports by age 13.

Club directors Melissa Yu (Riemer) and Ben Mortimer have seen the effects firsthand and are committed to creating a positive environment that allows kids to be kids again, at both the recreational and competitive levels.

Both bring extensive experience and shared values that place children and community at the center of the program. Executive Director Yu has more than two decades of leadership experience in youth soccer, along with a background in the sciences that informs her focus on players’ physical well-being. Technical Director Mortimer, a former standout player at George Washington University, brings years of Division I coaching experience and a player-first approach centered on development, confidence, and enjoyment.

Together, they provide leadership grounded in youth development and meaningful relationships. “Kids just really want to have a positive experience and belong,” Yu says. “Feeling comfortable, happy, and included—even if you’re not the best—is part of that. We want kids to enjoy sports and participate for as long as they choose.”

That philosophy challenges the growing expectation that children commit to a single sport year-round, often at the expense of their well-being. Research shows such pressure can do more harm than good.

At Riverbend Fútbol Club, success is defined as more than wins and losses. “Youth sports should be about more than standings and scholarships,” the club emphasizes.

Coaches are hired and trained to prioritize positive relationships and community connection, easing the pressure that has pushed many young athletes away from the games they once loved.

Community engagement is central to the club’s vision. Yu credits Mortimer’s technical leadership with fostering opportunities to bring families together beyond the field. Partnerships with Inova Health and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with community events featuring food trucks and a festival-style atmosphere, are designed to help children “understand service and value connection with their community.”

The club also emphasizes sustainable development beyond soccer. “We are partnering with companies to serve as mentors for kids exploring future pathways,” Yu says. These partnerships connect young athletes with resources, role models, and opportunities while strengthening the region’s social fabric.

Built on its core values—R.I.S.E. (Respect, Integrity, Strength, and Excellence)—Riverbend Fútbol Club offers Northern Virginia a youth soccer organization that values every player and family, supports healthy competition, and keeps the game fun while making soccer a meaningful part of community life.

For families, the club presents a refreshing alternative. At a time when youth athletics has left many children behind, Riverbend Fútbol Club aims to create space for kids to enjoy the game, be themselves, and build lasting connections.

Registration for recreational programs and tryouts for the summer league are now open.

Tryouts for the club’s competitive program will begin in March.

For more information or to register, visit rb-fc.com/