Ice Soccer on the Titanic

A maritime tragedy, a group of third-class passengers, and their last kickabout as the ship sank. This week, we look at the story of the soccer game that broke out during the Titanic’s untimely demise. Plus, we revisit the Outlaw League from 1967, announce our first giveaway winner, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🏴‍☠️ The Outlaw League

• 🪪 Green Card Defector

• 🧊 Ice Soccer on the Titanic

• 🤑 European League Games in the US?

• 🗳️ Poll + Giveaway Winner

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
The Outlaw League

On this day in 1967, the National Professional Soccer League officially kicked off the modern era of pro soccer in this country. It was a glorious occasion, even if FIFA had branded the league as an “outlaw” competition.

Since it didn’t have FIFA’s blessing, players faced sanctions for signing with the league, but the NPSL did have the support of one major entity: CBS. 

Having the network’s backing was a crucial advantage over the United Soccer Association, which was also organizing a pro league that year. The TV deal, plus a faster organizing committee, helped them beat their competitor to the punch and kick-off earlier.

April 16, 1967, saw the NPSL host five games in five cities, with a global attendance of 46,547. The opening victory on that historic day went to the Baltimore Bays, who defeated the Atlanta Chiefs 1-0 in the early slot. The newspapers from the time paint a picture of what that crucial day was like. 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Green Card Defector

There’s nothing scarier than sitting in a USCIS office waiting for your Green Card interview. Been there, done that. Fortunately for Minnesota United star Emanuel Reynoso, he doesn’t know that feeling. All because he went AWOL and didn’t even bother to show up for his meeting.

Reynoso went back to Argentina in mid-March to get a Green Card and help free up an international roster spot. He had his embassy appointment set for last week, and he just simply didn’t attend. 

No one knows what happened or where he stands with the club. He’s a two-time MLS All-Star and a shifty #10, but maybe the headache isn’t worth it. We’ll see.

COVER STORY
Ice Soccer on the Titanic

In the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic sank on its way from Southampton to New York City. It’s one of the most well-known maritime tragedies in history, but you’d still never expect to find soccer at the heart of it. 

Enter Dr. Washington Dodge, a first-class passenger traveling with his wife and young son. They’d been startled by the abrupt halt, and Dr. Dodge began to roam the halls to find out what exactly was going on. He soon overheard they’d struck an iceberg, and a fellow passenger urged him to check out the forecastle as it was completely covered in ice. 

Dr. Dodge peered down and was stunned. He saw cartloads of ice debris scattered all over the deck. But even more incredibly, he saw a group of third-class passengers hosting a surreal game of soccer using the ice chunks as balls. While “the band played on” for the upper class, the lads had chosen to play one final game of footy. 

No one really knows what happened to those soccer aficionados, but unfortunately, only 25% of third-class passengers survived the disaster. Still, there is small solace in knowing that those guys on the deck spent some of their final moments sharing in the most human and fraternal pastime there has ever been. 

POLICY
European League Games Coming to US Soil?

Last week, FIFA announced it will consider altering a policy that blocks league games from happening in other countries.

This development could shift the landscape of soccer worldwide, especially in the US if it comes to fruition. One could expect North America to be the primary market for these games to happen, similar to how the NFL hosts a few games in England every year.

Relevent Sports Group had initially tried to bring a La Liga match to Florida in 2019, but FIFA swiftly blocked the move. Relevent filed a lawsuit, and with their recent settlement, seeing your favorite clubs play for something meaningful in the US could be a reality. 

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

We’ll let you know the results and highlight your best responses in our next edition.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Gronk Family Soccer: Yet another example of athletes and celebrities trying to get a piece of the soccer pie. The Gronkowski family just became part of the ownership group at Texoma FC of USL1. 

That ‘70s Club: Diego Fagundez became the 10th player in MLS history to reach 70 goals and 70 assists. He’s the only player in activity to hold those numbers. A true class of his own. 

Unseen Tifo: AO Atlanta crafted a gorgeous tifo for the SheBelieves Cup, but no one got to see it. There were a few mechanical difficulties that prevented AO from raising it, but they’ve released a special look at it so this great piece of art doesn’t get lost. 

175 and Counting: Jasmyne Spencer has been playing in the NWSL since its very inception, and this weekend she marked her 175th league game. From all of us at CLUBELEVEN, we want to extend a huge congratulations to Jasmyne. She was one of our earliest interviews a few years back, and she’s helped us in so many ways over the years!

Officially Official: The planned NYCFC Stadium got the official green light from the NY City Council last week. The road is finally set for a soccer-specific stadium within the five boroughs.

CONSTRUCTION
The Stadium Built on a Cemetery

Eleven Park is poised to become the crown jewel of stadiums in USL. But construction could be delayed because it’s being built on top of a cemetery.

A few months ago, historians warned that this gorgeous 20k-capacity ground was being erected on top of a burial site and that crews should expect to find human remains dating back to the 1800s.

For now, everything will proceed as planned, but any irregular findings could grind the project to a halt. It doesn’t seem likely, though, and we hope everything gets completed since it’d be a big win for the Indy community as a whole. This is what the league had to say about the project.

CLUBELEVEN
‘96 MLS x Bandai Giveaway Winner

The winner of the giveaway is Gilbert R! We’ll be in contact with you to send you an original 1996 MLS x Bandai figurine of your choice. Congratulations!

FIFA
Infantino Meets the Don

For the first time ever, a FIFA president gave an address at an MLS owners’ meeting. And he hit on many topics.

According to Don Garber, Infantino brought up the state of soccer in the U.S., the MLS, the impact of growing the game at the fan level, commitments and investments for soccer-specific infrastructure, and continuing to grow the sport’s supporter culture.

Owners and execs declined to comment further on Infantino’s presentation so it was all very hush-hush. The scheming going on in that room must have been off the charts. Let’s hope it’s positive for all of us who love the sport here in the US.

UP NEXT
Wear It Proud

Our trip to New Orleans was a success, and we can’t wait to unveil everything we worked on. For now, though, we’ve got our sites on our next few projects. Some you can read, and some you can wear.

Having fun?

Make sure to forward this email to a friend! We’re looking to 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