Product Principle #6
Grassroots Football Belongs to the Community
We believe that organizing a squad and playing matches should never be locked behind a monthly subscription or fee.
What is Free vs. What is Optional
| Feature | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Creating Persistent Teams | Free ($0) | Unlimited teams & squads |
| Squad Rosters & Player Roles | Free ($0) | Captains, Managers, Squad members |
| WhatsApp & SMS Invite Links | Free ($0) | Direct squad invites |
| Team Chat & Match Availability | Free ($0) | Matchday call-ups & confirmations |
| Tournament Brackets & Leagues | Free ($0) | Knockouts, round-robin, standings |
| Match Stats & Fair Play Ratings | Free ($0) | Track appearances & reputation |
| Free-Agent "Looking for Game" Board | Free ($0) | Find guest games in your city |
| USDC Team Treasury | Optional | Only if you choose to pool money |
How We Keep the Core Free
We operate MeAside with a community-first philosophy. Core football operations (scheduling, chat, rosters, brackets) have low infrastructure overhead, and we intend to keep them permanently free.
Our business model is built around value-add optional services: corporate tournament sponsorship tooling, brand partnerships with sports leagues, and modest merchant payment processing on optional treasury on-ramps. Players playing grassroots football will never be forced to pay to play.