Houston has a new youth soccer pitch ahead of the World Cup

Driving the news: Houston's Visa Street Soccer Park opened last Wednesday at 6500 Chimney Rock Road in the heart of Gulfton.

• It's one of several soccer parks pledged by Visa, Street Soccer USA and Bank of America to be built in all 11 World Cup cities, expanding their 2025 plan to bring soccer parks to cities nationwide.
• The organizations already built parks in San Francisco, Denver, Kansas City, New York and Nashville.
• A previously announced park in Atlanta was in development as of March, and the remaining World Cup cities will get them soon (Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle).

Zoom in: Houston's new soccer park features two small professional-grade fields, lighting for extended play and programming space.

What they're saying: "This tournament is a global moment, but its legacy is built locally in the neighborhoods that will host fans, families and the next generation of players," Kim Lawrence, Visa's regional president for North America, said in a statement.

• "We're turning tournament momentum into meaningful opportunity that lasts well beyond the final match."

Zoom out: Other companies are also betting big on a rise in youth soccer surrounding the tournament.

• Airbnb announced in December it would invest $1.3 million in Houston ahead of the World Cup, a plan that includes expanding youth soccer access.
• On top of helping fund the Gulfton park, Bank of America is working to bolster youth soccer nationwide through promotional events, equipment donations and training investments.