Former USMNT Star Steps Up to Coach Viral 3-Year-Old Soccer Sensation Following Police Controversy

Former USMNT forward Eddie Johnson has extended an invitation to a 3-year-old boy to join his EJE7 Soccer Academy after the child went viral following a police call during a youth league match in Winter Park, Florida.

Competing against kids as old as 5, videos circulating on social media captured Nevada Pierre putting on a stunning display, weaving past opponents and netting multiple goals before an incident that prompted police involvement and ultimately led to Nevada and his family departing the venue.

Officials from the i9 Sports league alleged that Nevada's parents caused a disturbance after the 3-year-old was repeatedly sidelined to the bench. Nevada was additionally accused of "pushing" fellow players, and his parents were informed he was no longer permitted to participate in the league.

Police made no arrests, emphasizing the matter was civil in nature. They did, however, echo the league's request for Nevada's family to vacate the premises, which was eventually honored after i9 Sports agreed to refund their registration fees.

With Nevada in need of a new team, USMNT legend Johnson wasted no time in offering the youngster a place in his EJE7 training program.

"Nevada deserves to be around someone that looks like him that can understand him and it's sad in youth soccer we don't have enough of those programs for kids of color to have those examples around them because soccer is a rich suburban sport that's controlled by privileged rich entitled parents and no one likes when the less fortunate kids are better then their kids," Johnson wrote on social media. "One of the many issues with youth soccer in this country.

"l experienced it now he's experiencing it. That's one of the reasons I created EJE7 because we encourage freedom and creativity and that is what you see we you see Nevada. That's why they call it the beautiful game. We should be praising a 3-year-old with his ability instead of tarnishing it."

Jay-Z's Roc Nation Pledges Support to Nevada

Johnson wasn't the only prominent figure to step forward. According to Loren LoRosa, Nevada also received an offer of assistance from Jay-Z and his sports management agency, Roc Nation.

Roc Nation, whose roster of clients includes Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior, Yan Diomande and Endrick, as well as USMNT center back Chris Richards of Crystal Palace, is reportedly offering the family a trip to Spain in December for "an impactful athletic experience."

Nevada's family is said to have already shown interest in relocating permanently to Spain, with a belief that the youngster's soccer development would be taken more seriously there.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by Nevada's mother, Martasia Griffin, has already surpassed $56,000 in donations.