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The Bolaños Soccer Academy was founded in NYC by Luís Bolaños over 25 years ago. Luís used to play professional fútbol back in Colombia. Now his son Yair runs the show, and they’re still growing. Last year they officially teamed up with La Liga team Villareal to become that team’s first academy stateside. Villareal NY Bolaños trains year-round, organizing games and training sessions for kids 5-18, often playing co-ed. I visited them over at PS24, where they play during the winter. Check out an interview with Academy President Yair here.
Also, this past week, I got to catch the Mayor’s Cup on Randall’s Island. The Mayor’s Cup is the annual All-Star Game of top high-school seniors across the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) and the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA). Despite the cold weather, the games were high scoring, with this year’s CHSAA boys team winning 4-2, and PSAL won the girls game 5-2.
Meanwhile in pro soccer
- The Real Monarchs won their first-ever USL Championship Final! Back in Utah, the city threw a celebration parade.
- Tottenham have swapped Pochettino for Mourinho! In a stunning and aggressive move, the 5-and-a-half-year manager has been replaced by “The Special One.” Will Mourinho restart his winning ways at Tottenham? And which big club is going to fight for Pochettino’s signature?
Coming up:
- Despite the chilly weather, there are still outdoor games to be found! Come by Flushing Meadows, Field 3, Sunday to see the final of the Estudantil ReCopa, or come play pickup in LIC early Sunday.
- Man City vs. Chelsea today! Will a semi-fit Pulisic make his mark and help send the underdogs to second place in the Premier League?
- The Copa Libertadores final is at 3 pm on Saturday! After a tumultuous leadup, which included moving the final from a protest consumed Chile up to Lima, Peru, River Plate are trying to repeat their win from last year vs. Flamengo, trying to win their first Copa Libertadores in 30 years.
- Champions League is back just before Thanksgiving! Which match will be more intense, PSG vs. Real Madrid or Barcelona vs. Dortmund?
Weekly Face of Fútbol
Name: Manuel Magnante
Age: 27
From: Venezuela / Italy
Resides in: Astoria
Favorite position to play: #9, center forward
On different soccer styles: Italian soccer is focused on the result and whatever that takes. Even though my early years were in Venezuela, I play more Italian style: strategic. I try to make the play as simple as possible in order to score.
The key ingredient to winning: The best result is driven not by the best talent, but by the best chemistry on your team.
Send me any upcoming events you know about and I’ll share them next time around! I’m always looking for new fields, new leagues, and new anything fútbol.
And feel free to forward this, it’s just the start.
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See you on the pitch,
Jon D