Jimmy Carter Was A Newcastle Fan?

On his first overseas trip as POTUS, Jimmy Carter shocked British soccer fans. This week, we look back at President Carter’s trip to Newcastle in 1977 and the reason the ‘Geordies’ fell in love with him. Plus, we unveil our 3rd Annual Soccer Photo Contest, celebrate the one-year anniversary of a historic NYE moment, examine a controversial rumor, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 📸 North American Soccer Photo Contest

• 🗽 Having A Ball

• 🇬🇧 Jimmy Carter Was A Newcastle Fan?

• 🤔 MLS to Copa Libertadores

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

CLUBELEVEN
North American Soccer Photo Contest

With 2024 coming to a close, we are excited to present our 3rd Annual North American Soccer Photo Contest. Just as in years past, we’re looking to spotlight the work of photographers who have excelled at capturing soccer’s unbridled beauty on our shores.

2024 was a special year, and we couldn’t think of a better way to end it than by looking back and recognizing the people and moments that made it exceptional. 

You can submit your photos HERE as well as check out the rules, categories, and prizes.

OUR HISTORY
Having A Ball

Today, we don’t need to go way back to find an incredible piece of soccer history.

On December 31, 2023, Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara, Crystal Dunn, and Midge Purce became the first pro soccer players to launch the New Year’s Eve ball drop at Times Square.

The ball drop tradition dates back to 1907, but it wasn’t until 1996 that guests began participating in the ceremony. Since then, Muhammad Ali, Hillary Clinton, and Lady Gaga — to name a few — have all had the honor of activating the drop.

It might be decades until we see another group of soccer players earn the nod, but it’s awesome to know that a few Gotham icons will always be remembered as the very first to do it.

COVER STORY
Jimmy Carter Was A Newcastle Fan?

It was 1977, and Jimmy Carter was in the midst of his first international trip as POTUS. The destination: England.

The stakes couldn't have been higher. Just four months into his presidency, Carter’s humble demeanor had led many doubters to question his ability to manage foreign relations. This trip to England was his first real test in international diplomacy, and it was one that he couldn't afford to fail.

After a few days in London, he decided to head to the northeast of England — a place of special significance for America since that’s George Washington’s ancestral home.

As Carter rolled through Newcastle, he kept seeing newspaper posters that read “howay Jimmy” and others reading, “the lads.”

Confused, he asked an accompanying British MP what those phrases meant. The MP carefully explained that, put together, “howay the lads” was the traditional way of cheering on Newcastle United.

Later that day, Carter was set to make an appearance in front of 20,000 people in the heart of Newcastle. It was an important occasion since he was receiving the Freedom of the City — an honor bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community.

It was a crucial moment in his first international trip. He couldn’t afford a blunder.

So, he walked up to the podium and proudly exclaimed, “HOWAY THE LADS,” and later added, “I’m proud to be a Geordie now.”

The crowd went delirious. He’d shouted out Newcastle United and embraced the nickname of their supporters. His appearance in Newcastle resonated all over England. To this day, people remember the time he cheered on the Magpies, and it’s an iconic moment in British-American diplomacy. An all-around masterclass.

Today, as we mourn President Jimmy Carter's passing, it’s good to remember how he embraced soccer as a way to instantly connect with strangers across the globe. It’s an important lesson, but one that’s rightfully dwarfed by the towering legacy he leaves behind as a natural leader, politician, and humanitarian.

RUMOR
MLS to Copa Libertadores

You can practically see the dollar signs over everyone’s eyes. Rumor has it that MLS and LigaMX could join Copa Libertadores in 2027.

Reports suggest that CONMEBOL is considering a change in the tournament’s format, similar to the new Champions League model. This would result in six additional spots, which would be split between MLS and LigaMX. This potential change is also said to be influenced by the prospect of bringing Messi and Inter Miami into the competition.

There’s a lot to unpack, clearly. But how do you think we’d fare if it all came to fruition?

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

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

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Impeccable Ball Knowledge: One of us, one of us, one of us. Timothee Chalamet is a certified soccer sicko. Here he is talking about Bafetimbi Gomis and Dimitri Payet.

JD Vance’s MLS Team: This was an unexpected one. Here is the future VP making biscuits while wearing an FC Cincinnati shirt.

Reckoning: This USL-W side from Tallahassee has just joined the Gotham FC alliance. It’s a bit confusing, but it seems like a sound initiative. 

Copy Cats: Who knew Minnesota Aurora FC would be a victim of plagiarism? You be the judge. Are they similar?

Next Big Thing: Investors are coming after MLS NEXT Pro. It seems the general American public is waking up to the endless possibilities in lower-division soccer. Could this indicate a positive shift for the sport in our country?

FASHION
The FC Naples Kit

It’s kit release season for many debuting clubs. In recent weeks we saw the Hearts of Pine jersey, the Salmon Bay one, and now we have the FC Naples inaugural kit.

From the shell crown neckline to sunset-inspired details, the jersey aims to celebrate Naples’ iconic coastlines and golden skies. I wouldn’t mind getting away from the cold in the Northeast and trying one on down in Florida. A man can dream.

Check it out here.

OPPORTUNITIES
Breaking Pro

A new year means new opportunities. And this could be a big one.

New Mexico United announced that the club will be hosting an Open Tryout ahead of the 2025 USL Championship season.

The tryout will be held at the Mesa del Sol Soccer Complex on Saturday, January 11th. Males, ages 17 and above, are eligible to try out and can sign up here.

If you’re a player, don’t miss out!

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you if you thought the Women’s World Cup x Netflix deal was a good thing? Here are some of your best answers:

• “Netflix is flexing its market share as it continues to be the only profitable streaming service and wants to leverage that to expand and monopolize sports streaming. Good for women’s soccer, but it will be bad for sports consumers in the long run.” - Ben T.

• “I'm personally against it. I'm not sure how many people have Netflix but I know that barely anyone is going to sign up for Netflix just to watch the WWC. It will lose any casual viewer who might stumble into a game on TV or who just wants to watch a few matches. Money will determine its success, but I'm personally against it. Those who have Netflix don't necessarily have to be soccer fans. Could they become soccer fans just because of the WWC? Doubt it.” - Dario

• “It’s really hard to say. I doubt it’ll be so black or white either way… I imagine it will price some people out, unfortunately, but I’m also curious to see if it brings any different viewership to the sport. We shall see! One thing is certain: it was bound to happen sooner or later.” - Pierre D.

• “Just when you ‘think’ that US Soccer can't do more harm....” - W. Hall

In the poll, “No, it adds an additional barrier for new fans” earned 47% of the vote, while “Yes, it will help grow the game” only earned 29% of the vote. This is a tough one. I agree with Pierre and Ben in that it’s not necessarily black or white, and that there are complex pros and cons. It’s true that fully gating soccer matches behind a paywall doesn’t seem to work too well in this country, but that being said, there is a whole generation of potential fans who don’t own cable and use Netflix as their primary streaming service. Sometimes you have to take a gamble and try to reach young fans where they exist most. But still, it’s an enormous wager because you stunt all the organic ways in which non-soccer people come across the sport during a World Cup year. I’m torn. I suppose only time will tell, and I’m sure we’ll all have to get ready for a subscription price hike in 2027. Oh well.

UP NEXT
Welcome 2025

What a great year it was for soccer, and we’re certain 2025 will be even better.

From all of us at CLUBELEVEN we’d like to thank you for all your support in all the different projects and roads we embarked on together this past year. There’s nothing more fulfilling than getting to explore the beauty of soccer in America with others who love it just as much. It means the world.

Here’s to more soccer journeys in 2025!

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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

In memory of President Carter.