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This past week:
Last Friday was the championship match of León Colt’s Brooklyn United Soccer League. Champions Latinos FC narrowly beat Español Hidalgo 2-1 in a tense, fast-paced game. Then the festivities began!
There were trophy presentations, a live videocast with people tuning in from all over Latin America, and food food food. Being invited for the final was excellent, but being asked to share a plate of delicious, homemade comida, that is incomparable. Gracias León! The League has been playing for over a decade, and they’ll be starting an indoor season soon! Reach out for more details
- Carlos Vela set a new All-time Scoring Record for the MLS, and his team LAFC had the best season in MLS history! Check out the stats and his goals in the link.
- Meanwhile, over in England, the Manchester woes continue. Manchester United lost 1-0 to Newcastle, continuing their worst season in 30 years. And who do they face next but Liverpool, who if they win will tie the record for most consecutive wins in the Premier League!
- Man City, the reigning Premier League champs, lost 2-0 last weekend, now 8 points behind Liverpool. And with two fresh injuries in their defensive line, things aren’t looking up. Does this guarantee Liverpool their first title in 30 years?
Coming up:
- Come to St. Micheal’s Playground in Woodside Saturday for soccer supporting the community! From 9:30 am-noon, Vera’s Soccer Academy (VSA) is hosting a park cleanup day with their academy players and families. Founded in 1997, VSA is a family-run academy dedicated to empowering young players of all levels, on and off the field. “People sometimes use sports as a distraction, but we use it to bring people together and grow,” says Coach Alejandro. It’s groups like these that set the standard for how to approach The Beautiful Game.
- We’re back on International Break! Best games this weekend? Colombia vs. Chile at noon this Saturday. I’ll be at Barriles in Jackson Heights to catch that game. Then Sunday early, we have two great matches in a row: Brazil vs. Nigeria at 8 am, followed by Ecuador vs. Argentina at 10 am. Unfortunately, Messi won’t be on the pitch though; he’s still serving out his Copa America-related 3 month international ban.
- Don’t forget about NYC Footy’s upstate tournament! Sign up here to escape the city for a weekend and kick it in an incredible Fall setting in the Catskills
Weekly Face of Fútbol:
Name: Ulices Miranda
Age: 22
From: Bushwick, with roots in Puebla, Mexico too
Playing since: I started when I was 15.
How I help the game: I coach a coed youth team at a private school, and I train and play with Astoria Knights FC. I put in the time to grow my game. That helps me develop the game of the kids I coach too. It’s so amazing to see them grow and get better; it’s almost better than playing. Almost.
How the game helps me: The game has given me a lot. I think it’s the challenge that’s the best part. And the people, I’ve met the best people from playing.
“To improve soccer in the US, it starts the ones who have been around longer, and it starts with us. It’s not the kids’ fault. The quality of coaching has to get better. You have to be committed to the growth of The Game and the fútbol community.”
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