This Past Week
Multiple leagues under one roof all weekend? It isn’t your local bar showing the Champions League, it’s the Unión de Las Ligas Latinas! Filling the two gyms at Flushing High School, the ULL is hosted by The Sport Cuenca League, which has been organizing in Queens since 2001. “Flushing High School is our year-round home,” says Sport Cuenca League Lead Coordinator Diana, “but during the winter we host sometimes more than 5 leagues in the space, leagues from all over the city.” The diverse leagues play independently and against each other over the course of the winter season, and all ages of youth teams and an all-girls league too. For a small entrance fee, come check out local fútbol at its best this weekend!
Meanwhile in Pro Soccer
Man City, BANNED. In the harshest ruling yet on a breach of Financial Fair Play, Man City have been banned from all European Competitions for the next 2 years. They’re going to appeal—hiring a lawyer who helped delay Brexit—but it doesn’t look hopeful. The effects are huge, from massive sums of money lost by not being able to participate in the Champions League, a possible exodus of players from the team, and other teams in the Premier League being able to qualify for the Champions League now.
Barcelona were allowed to sign a player out of the transfer window! Click the link to learn why. Leganes, the team they got him from, are certainly frustrated as they were already facing relegation. And Barcelona might be frustrated too after this skills display during his unveiling.
Erling Haaland does it again! The Dortmund man won the game against Neymar’s PSG with not only an incredible winning goal, but some astounding stats too. And to think, he only cost Dortmund a few million less than Barcelona paid for their emergency signing.
And lastly, Liverpool not only lost to Atletico Madrid, it was only the second time under Klopp that the team hasn’t managed a single shot on goal. Diego Simeone’s side did what they do best and it worked. With only a 1 goal deficit though, I don’t think the reigning European Champions are worried.
Coming up
Come by Flushing High School tonite, Saturday, at 9 pm to see the Semi-Finals of the Unión de Las Ligas Latinas! And if you can’t make it tomorrow but want to see some local soccer, there will be matches all day Sunday.
“I wanted City to get Lyon or some club like that, but Real Madrid is going to be a tough game, a very, very tough game,” says Man City legend Yaya Toure. He’s talking about next week’s Champions League game against none other than Zidane’s Real Madrid! Tune in Wednesday for that match, as well as Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern and Juve playing next week.
Face of Fútbol
Name: Morgan Tazifua
Age: 26
From: NYC/Cameroon
On love of soccer being a family tradition
My Dad was huge into soccer starting from a very young age. He was very talented, and had an opportunity to advance to a professional level. However his Dad, my grandfather, wanted him to focus on education. When he emigrated to the United States for his education and stopped playing at a competitive level. He still is very passionate about the sport, and through him we developed our love for the game.
National team success sparked his passion
One of my first memories where I saw true passion was when Cameroon took gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. That was historic because that began the golden age for Cameroon, they went in to win two African Cups back to back and qualified for the World Cup.
On soccer’s power to unite
I truly love soccer because it unites people globally. No other sport has that impact. You don’t need to speak the same language to play. All you need is a ball, 2 goal posts, and a pool of players. It truly is a beautiful culture.
Morgan keeping the skills show going even after playing for 2 hours.
Winter is no excuse to not play! Let me know about any upcoming games, I’m always on the lookout for new fields, new leagues, and new anything fútbol.
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See you on the pitch,
Jon D