Merced United is Building Community by Coaching Tomorrow’s Leaders

At its core, Merced United is a youth soccer program.  To expand participants' horizons, Merced United is providing access to experiences both on and off the soccer field.  Participants say they are learning about leadership, communication skills, teamwork and future opportunities. 

When you look at something from a different perspective, oftentimes everything changes. Take, for example, Merced United. This sports program has been serving young people in Merced County for 50 years. A few years ago, two young entrepreneurs, Daniel Jovan Pulido and Mikey Bernal, had an idea: knowing Merced United is so much more than soccer, they started thinking of it as a public health organization. And it makes sense. Sports and health go hand in hand. But Jovan and Mikey had bigger aspirations.

“We look at what we do as developing really strong humans and not just players; people who are competitive on and off the field. We want our participants to be leaders and advocates and resources for their family and friends,” Mikey said.

In his view, sports are the doorway. Once a child enters, Merced United surrounds them with a network of support that includes academic guidance, leadership development, health resources and pathways to future careers.

One of their most innovative programs is the Merced United Leadership Academy, which introduces players to career exploration, college access, public speaking and civic engagement. Through site visits, workshops and mentorship, Merced United prepares youth to lead both on and off the field.

Providing access to all is paramount to Merced United’s leaders. The program provides low and even no-cost options for players based on each family’s needs. 

“We want them to engage with the healthcare system, and then we want them to get active and healthy,” said Jovan.

Thinking of Merced United as a public health organization has enlivened the group, which seeks grants to offer leadership programming in addition to soccer and basketball. It’s allowed them to increase access to their programs and create opportunities for growth among their youth participants. And, it’s captured the attention of national powerhouses like The Aspen Institute and the US Soccer Foundation, who are interested in Jovan and Mikey’s innovative strategies.

Jovan serves as president of Merced United, and brings a unique perspective as well as his personal motto, “never give up” to the organization. Born with kidney disease & end stage renal disease, he had his first kidney transplant at age 8. After a few months, the kidney failed and Jovan started dialysis, which would continue through middle school and high school.

More than 30,000 youth have participated in the Merced United soccer program since 1979.  Now, the program leaders, Daniel Jovan Pulido (pictured on the right) and Mikey Bernal (pictured on the left), are providing innovative opportunities for players, including leadership training and wellness education. 

A few years after his second kidney transplant, he joined Merced United, which changed the trajectory of his life and the future of the organization he would go on to lead.

At his TED talk in 2024, Jovan said, “I now know that life is meant to be cherished, there are goals to conquer, soccer games to be won and to remember to never, ever give up.”

“Never give up” has become Merced United’s unofficial motto and guiding direction. The organization annually reaches over 4,000 youth, a number that grows to over 12,000 people when you include family members, coaches and spectators.

“Merced United is the embodiment of hope,” said Kimberly Garner, director of philanthropic initiatives for Opportunity Merced, which supports Jovan and Mikey’s work. 

“These two are like celebrities in Merced. When they go places, everybody knows them because they’ve done all of this amazing work. They’ve been so innovative in educating and inspiring their players. So many kids in our community see this very narrow path for themselves, and this just opens their minds and gives them a lot of hope.”

If you wonder about the impact of Merced United, just ask the players:

“Because of Merced United, I have become more optimistic about my future.”

-Brianna

“I’ve learned skills that will impact my future.”

-Jared

“I’ve been exposed to many opportunities.”

-Natalee

Other student athletes talk about developing leadership skills, making friends, practicing strong communication and being a good team member.

In Merced, where opportunities can sometimes feel scarce, Merced United provides hope for a future filled with possibilities.

To learn more about Merced United and to get involved, visit their website.

This story is part of the Central Valley Community Foundation’s “Sixty Stories That Shaped Us” initiative to help mark 60 years since our founding. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and this special place we call home. To learn more, visit centralvalleycf.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @centralvalleycf.