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This past week:

The biggest thing to happen in soccer this past week was Boca Juniors vs. River Plate. I may be biased, but many call it football’s fiercest fixture. The rivalry between these Argentinian giants of the sport goes back to 1913. Read here about River Plate’s nickname “Los Millionarios” and the language of the SúperClasico, and the rivalry’s history.  

This week’s game wasn’t just a league game. It was the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of Europe’s Champions League. Last year Boca and River met in the tournament final. To drive home how intense this rivalry is, last year’s game had to be rescheduled outside of the continent because of fans attacking the players’ bus as they arrived at the game! 

For this match, we went to Boca Juniors Steakhouse in Elmhurst, Queens. Outside enormous team flags were strung up from the roof to the sidewalk, hiding the entire restaurant. The place was at capacity and then some. We had to wait for people to leave before they’d let us in. Boca jerseys, portraits of team greats of yesteryear, and the team colors plaster every inch of every wall and even the ceiling. It’s a shrine to fútbol that other teams should emulate. For drinks, they only serve beer and wine, and most of each is either Quilmes—the national beer of Argentina—or malbec, the region’s most famous grape. 

  • Boca Juniors Steakhouse in Elmhurst, Queens

During the match, an impromptu live supporters band got the crowd going with team chants, but to no avail. River won 2-0. The second leg is being played at Boca’s stadium. Will home-field advantage inspire a comeback? I’ll see you at Boca Juniors Steakhouse on October 22 to find out. But get there early, or you may be stuck on the outside looking in.

This past week saw some big teams struggling. 

  • After making it to the Champions League Final last year, Tottenham made history this week by suffering the most significant English home loss ever in a European competition. Bayern Munich destroyed them 7-2. 
  • Manchester United, meanwhile, despite being one of the world’s wealthiest clubs, continue to have an abysmal season. They’re way down in 10th place in the Premier League, and in the Europa League—the backup European tournament for teams that don’t qualify for the Champions League—they tied AZ Alkmaar (who?) 0-0. Not only did they not score, but they also didn’t even register a single shot on goal. I know what it’s like to have your favorite team struggle (anyone heard of the Buffalo Bills?), but it’s tough to see Man U in such a rut. Will either team turn their season around? 

Coming up:

  • For your weekend warriors who are too busy during the week to catch matches, the biggest game this weekend is in the Italian Serie A: Juventus vs. Inter Milan. The Italian Serie A has been a bit of a bore in recent years with Juventus winning the league the last 8 years in a row. Inter Milan is off to an incredible start this year, though, winning all their league games with a revamped squad under new coach Antonio Conte. If Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo can pull off a win, though, they’ll be the new league leaders. The game is on Sunday at 2:45 pm.
  • Looking for a new pickup game to fit your schedule? Always wished Lazer Tag and soccer could be combined? Say no more: sign up for Tron Ball, a pickup game played at 8pm at Murray Park in Long Island City. The soccer ball is glow-in-the-dark, and everyone is required to wear white under their fluorescent pinnies so they can see each other better. No lights, no problem. The love of the game won’t be deterred. Plus, the small sign-up fee goes to charity! It’s organized by FC Give aka PS2G, a great Queens-based organization that empowers communities while coordinating great chances to play. If nighttime ball isn’t your cup of tea, check them out here to see all their other games throughout the week. 

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Weekly Face of Fútbol: 

Name: Felipe Antonio Caballero

Age: 29

From: Venezuela

Resides in: LIC & Long Island

Playing since: I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old


Preferred playing position: I play in the middle. It’s a mind game. I like organizing, putting things in order. I’m a team player.

“Soccer is a universal language. You could travel to anywhere in the world and don’t speak a word, you could be mute, your skin color could be green. You could be young, tall, short, and still, you could play soccer, enjoy, laugh together. And another thing—I think Diego Forlán said, ‘Soccer is the cheapest therapist.’ It’s good for the body and soul!”

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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