From sleeping outside to a World Cup: the soccer meet elevating unhoused athletes

Street Soccer USA brought the tournament to California this year to showcase 300 players from 40 national teams

When the ball grazed the Finnish goalkeeper, the people in the stands celebrated wildly. But Sienna Jackson stood emotionless on the pitch. The 24-year-old American forward couldn't believe she had just scored the first goal of the Homeless World Cup, hosted for the first time in the United States.

Just a few years ago, Jackson was sleeping on the streets of downtown Sacramento, less than 5 miles away from the Hornet Stadium at California State University where she was now playing.