Neil Armstrong Took A Soccer Flag to the Moon

This week, we look back at how Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 crew ended up taking soccer souvenirs up to the moon. Plus, we remember a dark anniversary in our soccer history, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Carlos Valderrama, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 😭 Rock Bottom

• 📺 Hotshot

• 🌖 Neil Armstrong Took A Soccer Flag to the Moon

• 🍽️ La Tiendita

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
Rock Bottom

October 10, 2017. One of the darkest days in our soccer history. The day we crumbled against Trinidad and Tobago and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Seven years have gone by, but it’s impossible to forget how we all felt that day. It was the first time the USMNT missed out on a World Cup since 1986. A true calamity.

If you’d like to torture yourself a little this Tuesday morning, just take a look at this grueling oral recollection from all the American fans who traveled to Trinidad. It’s entertaining in a painful way.

ENTERTAINMENT
Hotshot

“Soccer’s answer to the Karate Kid.” That’s how this film was marketed. I’m not sure how many people have ever seen it, but if you haven’t, boy are you in for a treat.

It features a bearded Pelé, an off-brand New York Cosmos, and a rich American kid looking to become a soccer star.

Our most recent Grails interviewee recommended this movie to us, and we had to watch it over the weekend. It’s everything you can imagine and more. Flat out hilarious. See it here for free.

COVER STORY
Neil Armstrong Took A Soccer Flag to the Moon

It’s outlandish. How did the Apollo 11 crew end up taking soccer souvenirs on the first mission to the moon? It seems impossible, but it’s true.

“If they’re going to be humanity’s biggest heroes this century, they must be official members of our club.” That’s what the PR secretary of Club Atletico Independiente from Argentina said at the start of 1969. And he followed through.

The club quickly made Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins honorary members (or socios) of Independiente. They even created official IDs for the whole crew with their NASA headshots. But that wasn’t all.

According to Independiente’s treasurer at the time, their goal was to get club souvenirs to the astronauts so that they’d take them up to space. They wanted to be the first club to have their flag up on the moon.

The club used its connections at the American embassy in Argentina to make it happen. They sent the whole crew jerseys and pennants for them and their families.

In May of 1969, before departing for the moon, Neil Armstrong confirmed the receipt of the items in a letter to the club. He thanked them cordially for the gifts and mentioned he hoped to one day visit their facilities if he was ever in Buenos Aires again.

Years later, Independiente’s PR secretary ran into Armstrong at a reception at the American embassy in Buenos Aires. Via translators — and in the presence of the American ambassador — Armstrong confessed to club officials that he had in fact taken an Independiente pennant up to space.

According to those officials, Armstrong said he took the pennant up on the module, and that it had been like a good luck amulet for them. Independiente had somehow made it to the moon.

It seems America and soccer are intertwined even in outer space.

CREATIVE
La Tiendita

Soccer anecdotes, good food, and conversations between Latino icons of our beautiful game.

Last week, US Soccer dropped the first episode of this captivating new series, featuring Carlos Valderrama and Ale Bedoya.

This week, they had Marcelo Balboa and Marco Etcheverry sharing a meal. It was fantastic.

Both episodes provide great insights into the history of the sport here in America, and they celebrate Latino culture in all its glory.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Drop your opinions and hot takes! We’ll highlight your best answers next week.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Ozark: Soccer fans in Northwest Arkansas have spoken. Their USL club finally unveiled its name and branding last week. It’s a cool one. 

Work @ FIFA: If you work in partnership marketing, this one’s for you. Check out this latest job posting from FIFA ahead of the World Cup.

Inktober FC: For the 4th year in a row, our friend Zach Kovan will be participating in Inktober, a challenge started by renowned American illustrator Jake Parker to practice one’s inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. For this year, Zach will be playing around with drawing football kits every day this month. Follow along here.

NISA Fan in China: You don’t see this every day. A famous rapper in China was rocking an Irvine Zeta FC kit last week. Unreal. 

Nominees: The nominees for the MLS 2024 Year-End Awards are in. There are many interesting names. Check them out. 

EVENTS
Brooklyn FC’s Pink Game

It’s a special night, and we’re glad to be playing a small part in it!

This Friday, Brooklyn FC will be honoring breast cancer survivors during their first-ever pink game, and we’ll be at the match covering things on and off the field for the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Survivors will get a free tee shirt during the game, and they’ll be recognized during a special moment on the pitch. You can nominate survivors right here. 

On top of that, the team will wear limited kits with pink numbers, and a lucky fan who attends the match will win one. To be entered for a chance to win the exclusive kit, make sure to get tickets through this link.

There will be other activations at the stadium on Friday, so make sure to come out.

Lastly, we’d like to give a huge thank you to Christian Orellana from the ACS for inviting us to be part of such a great event. We can’t wait!

RECORDS
Invincibles?

No team has ever finished an NWSL season unbeaten. But with just three games left in the regular season, the Orlando Pride are on the verge of history. 

Either way, they’ve already etched their names up high in club lore. Over the weekend, they won the 2024 NWSL Shield after defeating the Spirit, and it’s the first trophy of any kind for the Pride.

Now, the question is whether the league will give them a gold shield if they end up undefeated. Step by step, though.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you if you will be attending the Club World Cup in 2025? Here are some of your answers:

• “No, there aren’t any games near me. I could drive to Seattle for games but I despise Lumen Field as a soccer venue and are teams really going to play on turf?” - Shelli W.

• “It depends on ticket prices. If I have to pay Copa America prices it might not make sense especially if I get unlucky with the clubs that play in my city.” - BD

In the poll, “It depends on ticket prices” came in first with 38% of the vote, while “Yes, I’ll absolutely go” came in second with 28% of the vote. Overall, though, there was great doubt concerning plans for next summer. A majority of people were worried about ticket prices or simply being too far from host stadiums. Quite relatable.

UP NEXT
Behind the Scenes

Last week saw a few of us drive down from Boston to DC, and then from DC to New York. Over ten hours in the car, and some fun days of shooting. Plus, we got to catch our U-12 team play a game in the Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association. It was a solid 3-1 victory from the lads, and we had a blast cheering them on from the stands.

This week, we’ll continue to film in New York, and if it’s anything like the past few days, we should be in for some fun. Stay tuned for some releases to come next month.

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