The Thanksgiving Soccer Game of 1842

Before American Football became a Thanksgiving tradition, our forefathers used to host soccer games on this special holiday, dating all the way back to 1842. This week, we uncover the centuries-old story of the soccer club that used to play exclusively on Thanksgiving. Plus, we celebrate an unforgettable weekend in NYC, chronicle a one-day trip to the NWSL Final, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🥳 Scenes From the Block Party

• ✍️ My Story With Marta [Guest Column]

• 🦃 The Thanksgiving Soccer Game of 1842

• ⛰️ Going to the Highest Soccer Stadium in America

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

CLUBELEVEN
Scenes From the Block Party

What a weekend in New York. Thank you to the hundreds of North American soccer fans who came out to support, and everyone in the CLUBELEVEN team for making nights like Saturday possible! There’s nothing quite like getting to share a love for soccer together, in person.

I’d also like to give a special thank you to our panelists: Claudia Pagan from CBS Sports Golazo, Rich O’Reilly from Bayern Munich Americas, Elisa Davidson from Guerrilla FC, and Zealand from YouTube/Twitch. Their insight regarding how they’re growing the game in their own respective fields was invaluable.

You can get all the photos from the event here. If you weren’t able to attend, at least check out our thousand-picture photo wall in that folder. It took forever to make, but we were all really proud of it (big shoutout to Jordy, Colleen, Kyros, Ben, Gabriel, and Jake).

GUEST COLUMN
My Story With Marta

While we were all watching the final in NYC, a very special contributor to CLUBELEVEN was right in the midst of the action in Kansas City.

For our first guest column in this space, we’re featuring writer and journalist Cassidy Hettesheimer. 

From sitting in a room with Marta at the 2023 World Cup, to being on the pitch at her NWSL Championship coronation on Saturday, Cassidy reflects on her personal journey as a journalist and the unexpected impact Marta has had on it. Seeing the GOAT win the title was cathartic.

You can read Cassidy’s column here.

COVER STORY
The Thanksgiving Soccer Game of 1842

Before there was football on Thanksgiving, there was soccer. As a matter of fact, it seems the first-ever soccer game in New York City may have been played on Thanksgiving Day in 1842.

It’s an unbelievable story. A few years ago, historian Dr. David Kilpatrick unearthed a curious newspaper clipping from 1854, which alleged that a club called St. George’s Foot Ball Club had been meeting up once a year, for the past twelve Thanksgivings, to play football (tracing their first game back to 1842).

In his research, Dr. Kilpatrick makes deductions that suggest that the game they were playing was most likely similar to soccer rather than American football — an important distinction when considering nomenclature from the time.

This would mean that the club’s first game in 1842 is possibly the earliest recorded instance of a soccer match in New York City. And based on other clippings from the era, it seems those early games may have taken place right on Broadway. It’s just too good.

So, when you’re in a food coma on Thursday — watching the NFL with your loud uncles, cousins, kids, nephews, parents, and anyone else — just let them know the real Thanksgiving tradition in this country is to kick a leather ball, not throw a pigskin.

CULTURE
Going to the Highest Soccer Stadium in America

This week, we learned that the highest soccer stadium in America is Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.

It sits at 6,035ft above sea level, and on Saturday, it was the site of the USL Championship Final.

Is there anything more fitting than that? A whole season of climbing to the top, ending in the stadium with the highest elevation in the American soccer pyramid. Beautiful.

Of course, we had to be there to cover such a momentous occasion.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know what your plans are, and don’t be afraid to share your Thanksgiving soccer traditions. We’ll highlight your best answers next week.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Maine Event: By now, chances are you’ve seen the magnificent release of Hearts of Pine’s inaugural kit. A true masterclass on how to launch a jersey, and we were lucky enough to be at the sold-out release party. This is how it looked through Luke’s lens. 

Trinity Rodmeme: As a Spirit fan, I was heartbroken after the NWSL Final. But, this viral Trinity Rodman GIF made me chuckle.

Paving the Way: New legislation just passed that finally opens the door for a soccer stadium in the Boston area. Please let it happen.

Weekend Plans: Clear your calendars, the MLS Conference Finals are this Saturday. Here’s how things are looking. 

FOS x Golaço Kits: Awesome to see our good friends included in this insightful Front Office Sports article about the exploding vintage kit market in America.

REBUILDING
The Next Eleven Fund

An incredible endeavor by Asheville City SC from USL League Two. Yesterday, they announced the launch of the Next Eleven Fund, a new initiative aimed at revitalizing youth sports across Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

This fund, fueled by 11% of all sponsorship dollars and $11 from each season ticket sold, is dedicated to helping rebuild the infrastructure, provide equipment, and restore access to sports for children in the hardest-hit communities.

If you’d like to support, you can purchase season tickets or reach out directly to the front office to see how you can get involved.

It’s the perfect way to use soccer as a vehicle for good.

WC 2026
Let the Battle Begin

It’s starting. The onslaught of offers and different channels to try to secure tickets for the 2026 WC.

It depends on how worried you are about getting into a game, but the official hospitality partner for the tournament just dropped this offer that could help you.

If you’re really concerned about getting first access, it might be worth checking out.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you what you thought the “historic women’s soccer announcement” by the federation was going to be. Here are some of your best answers:

• “I read this after the announcement but still, I thought it was going to be about a potential W-USOC. I don't think we are there yet though, the men’s one barely gets credit. Minimum 2027 for a women's version.” - Dario

• “It feels like a Women’s Club World Cup should be near after all these intercontinental friendly tournaments over the summer.” - FH

In the poll, “Women’s Open Cup” came in first with 34% of the vote, while “Women’s Club World Cup” came in second with 24% of the vote. They were clearly what most of us were thinking, but we got bamboozled. The announcement was that Michelle Kang will be investing $30M into US Women’s Soccer over the next five years. Incredible news in its own right and an amazing pledge by Kang.

UP NEXT
Thanksgiving

It’ll be a short break from us for a couple of days, but we’ll get right back to it come December 1st. Have a great time with your loved ones, and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at CLUBELEVEN! We’re incredibly grateful for all your support 🙌.

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