NYC’s first snow of the season came, and the local soccer players at Beautiful Game FC didn’t flinch. “It needs to snow more than that to keep us from playing,” said one jugador at McCarren Park last Tuesday. The game started later than usual because the group of about 23 players had to take turns using two shovels to clear a patch on the field big enough to play. The snow mounds served as sidelines. Players were slipping everywhere. The sun was out. Three teams, street rules of two goal elimination or 10 minutes. It was cold. It was great.
Beautiful Game FC has been drawing 1,000s of players to their pickup games from Brooklyn, Queens and beyond for years now. Fast paced, fun, and inclusive, they play at least 3 times a week, rain or shine (or snow). Click the link, sign up and come out to play!
Meanwhile in pro soccer:
- Messi took home his record 6th Ballon D’or this past week, and if this incredible Barcelona training session is any hint, he’s not letting up any time soon.
- Shillelagh Tavern, an Astoria staple since the 1920s and an Official Liverpool Supporters Club location, was the perfect spot to watch Liverpool beat Everton 5-2 during a midweek masterclass. Check out the highlights here, especially Sadio Mane’s first assist. Insane, the nonchalant curve on the pass like he’s putting at The Masters. Messi himself was full of praise for Mane, saying it was “a shame” Mane didn’t finish higher in the Ballon D’or voting.
- The Chelsea Transfer Ban has been lifted early! But with the Chelsea youth keeping them near the Top 4 so far, should they buy and risk throwing their squad off balance?
Coming up:
- Year end parties are coming fast. Looking for a chance to play, celebrate, and donate to a good cause all in one afternoon? Sign up for FC Give’s End of 2019 Party at Upper 90 Queens! If you haven’t been before, it’s an incredible multipurpose location to play, check out soccer gear, and after stay to hang and watch matches at their cafe-bar too.
- Looking for a Tournament? How about SoFive Brooklyn’s Winter Warrior’s Classic on December 21. With top quality pitches and a $1,000 cash prize for the winning team, it’s a great excuse play right before Xmas.
- The end of the Champions League group stages! Will Norweigan wunderkind Erling Haaland and Salzburg knockout Liverpool? Will Inter’s Argentine ace Lautauro Martinez dominate a Barcelona B-side, or will his compatriot Messi play and steal the show? Can Christian Pulisic and Chelsea make it to the group stages? Find out next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Weekly Face of Fútbol
Names: Josue Bonilla and his son Sneijder
Ages: 32 & 13
From: Honduras
Reside in: Elmhurst
Favorite Team and Player: Barcelona, for the way they move the ball, and Messi. Hopefully one day we get to see him in person.
Fútbol as a window to community:
We moved here only 7 months ago, and came for opportunity. I played professional in Honduras until only a few years ago, but now ƒútbol is entertainment for me. Every Sunday we come [to Flushing Meadows Park] to watch the games, meet people, and sometimes teams ask me to play.
Stay warm everyone and let me know of any holiday events in Queens! Love participating in the community, even if soccer isn’t the headline reason.
Keep sharing with anyone who loves the beautiful game, new people sign up here to get the next Soccer Snapshot!
See you on the pitch,
Jon D