Inside the CIA's Fake Soccer Website for Spies

A soccer website was the primary way for CIA spies to trade nuclear secrets, contact their handlers, and discreetly communicate in the Middle East — until it all came crashing down. This week, we uncover the story of that mysterious undercover soccer website and its tragic downfall. Plus, we dive into a promising rumor out of USL, examine a mindblowing connection between the alleged UnitedHealthcare shooter and the MISL, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🤯 Luigi Mangione’s Uncle Played Pro Indoor Soccer

• 🎮 32 Bit Mesh Soccer Ball

• 🕵️‍♂️ Inside the CIA's Fake Soccer Website for Spies

• 🛕 Full Pyramid Cup in USL

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
Luigi Mangione’s Uncle Played Pro Indoor Soccer

You read that right. The uncle of the alleged UnitedHealthcare shooter played for the Baltimore Blast in MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League).

Luigi’s uncle, Nick, also spent a few years in other teams around the league, and his career was quite impressive. He tallied 199 games in MISL, scoring 62 goals and dishing 59 assists. Not bad at all.

This is surely one of the most random soccer facts you’ll hear this year, courtesy of the great Pablo Maurer.

ART
32 Bit Mesh Soccer Ball

Easy to create in a digital world. Much harder in reality.

Inspired by low polygon models of a sphere, our friends over at 12 Pentagons have created a ball that would feel more at home in a glitched-out 90s football game. This ball is a homage to that era. Back when multiplayer meant being in the same room, graphics got noticeably better with each update, and no VAR. If you look closer, a classic 32-panel ball hides beneath the surface too.

Just brilliant. Only 302 (out of 1000) of these balls remain, so check out how you can get your hands on one of them here.

COVER STORY
Inside the CIA's Fake Soccer Website for Spies

Who doesn’t love learning about outlandish CIA missions? This soccer-themed operation might just be up there with the time they tried to kill Castro with an exploding Cuban cigar.

For decades, the CIA has considered Iran to be one of its most difficult targets, and they’ve had to get creative. Over the years, the agency has been forced to recruit potential spies outside of the country or through online social connections, and that’s how soccer came into the picture to assist with their ops.

According to an investigative article by Reuters, the CIA created a rudimentary Persian-language soccer news website called Iraniangoals(dot)com to use as a message board for spies in Iran and American agents.

On the surface, the website looked like one of those classic 00s HTML pages. But entering a password into the search bar caused a secret messaging window to pop up, allowing spies to send information and receive instructions from the CIA. Genius.

Except, the website was so poorly coded and disguised, that Iran and other countries quickly learned about the deception. By 2018, Yahoo News reported that a “flawed web-based covert communications system had led to the arrest and execution of dozens of CIA informants in Iran and China.”

The whole thing was a catastrophe. It’s surreal to think that a basic, innocent-looking soccer website was at the heart of it all.

It does also make you wonder if FotMob or OneFootball has integrated a CIA messaging feature yet.

RUMORS
Full Pyramid Cup in USL

What a development this would be. Word on the street is that USL is planning to add USL Championship teams + the rest of their league divisions to the USL Jägermeister Cup. Currently, only League One teams participate.

If the rumors are true, this would mean there’d be a cup tournament featuring all levels of the USL pyramid. A dream come true for all of us who love local, grassroots soccer clubs. Just imagine the scenes. Vermont Green playing New Mexico United, for example.

And who knows, this might just be the first step towards full pro/rel within the USL pyramid. Now that would be something.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let’s see what the community has to say. We’ll highlight your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Galaxy of Trophies: Make that 6 MLS Cup titles for the LA Galaxy. Every time they’ve played the final at home, they’ve won the championship. A certified classic. 

Brooklyn Delays: Brooklyn FC will be delaying the launch of their men’s USL side until 2026. We’ve seen this happen a lot with new teams over the past decade. It’s tough to get a pro team off the ground, and it’s always best to do it properly than do it rushed. Even if it takes a little longer, we can’t wait to see it come to fruition.

Trailblazer: It was great to see ESPN W highlight Montgomery Blair High School boys’ soccer coach Allie Coyle this past week. She’s the first woman to lead a boys’ team to a state title in Maryland (and she beat my high school alma mater in the process). A huge accomplishment.

Get Well Soon: You hate to see it. Pulisic will be out until 2025. Sending all the best to our captain.

Up & Up: Got the numbers back on viewership for the 2024 USL Final from a couple of weeks ago. Records were shattered. And mind you, the game was played at 12 PM EST. The future keeps getting brighter.

EXPANSION
Chupacabras FC Launch

Fell in love with this name as soon as it was announced a couple of months ago. It’s the type of name you have no doubt was chosen by the community.

Then, a few weeks later, they released the logo and branding, which was already another step in the right direction. So unique and unabashedly soccer.

And just this past week, the club announced that they’ll be joining USL League Two. The cherry on top. Rejoice, Texas. It seems 2025 is gonna be a fun year. We’ll have to keep an eye out for their jerseys next.

READING
DARBY Issue 4: Family

Our friends at DARBY in Canada are back with another incredible print issue, this time centered around family.

For this edition, they have two unique covers highlighting star players on both the men’s and women’s Canadian national teams. One cover story features CanMNT’s Stephen Eustáquio and the story of how he was formed by family into the man he is today; the other, CanWNT rising star Olivia Smith, and how her rise to stardom was fuelled by her family’s dedication.

The magazine also includes features exploring the Sonndr cafe, a coffee shop with football roots in Toronto, how Missy Searl’s home-cooked meals have enriched the Halifax Wanderers’ community, what it is like to have a great grandfather who helped found Arsenal, how CS Saint-Laurent rose to prominence, how family helped Vancouver Whitecaps star Ali Ahmed achieve his footballing dreams, and plenty more.

Stay tuned here.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you what your new name would be for BOS Nation FC? Here are some of your best answers:

• “Boston Coven. I think a nod to witches would be dope… it’s bold but if embraced the hype would be really interesting 😂” - Pierre

• “Boston Unity. It’s a pretty safe option, but still something different from what we’re used to with names these days. It would’ve been the most likely to get good reviews.” - BD

In the poll, “Boston Wicked” came in first with 33% of the vote, while “Boston Unity” came in second with 25% of the vote. Pretty solid options to be honest, but I’m leaning towards Wicked the most. Maybe it’s because the musical/movie has been on my mind lately, but it’s also a word people from New England seem to use a lot (shoutout to Luke Stergiou), so it would’ve worked on many levels.

UP NEXT
Call For Judges and Web Developers

We’re gearing up for our third annual soccer photography contest, and we’re in the process of selecting our panel of judges (individuals who notably excel in the soccer photography space). If you have any nominations, just shoot us a message here or over on Instagram!

Lastly, we’re looking for a web developer for another project we have in the works. If you or anyone you know might be interested, just let us know here too!

Enjoying This?

Make sure to forward this email to a friend and help us spread the soccer gospel far and wide! We’ll see you next week with even more untold stories of soccer.

Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo