MLS closing in on NFL, NBA, MLB in U.S. - Landon Donovan

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https://abc30.com/sports/mls-closing-in-on-nfl-nba-mlb-in-us---landon-donovan/5135991/

MLS closing in on NFL, NBA, MLB in U.S. - Landon Donovan

Former United States internationalLandon Donovanhas said he believes Major League Soccer will soon challenge the country's more established sports in terms of popularity.

MLS sits behind NFL and NBA in terms of viewership in the U.S., but Donovan -- who won six MLS Cups with San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy -- pointed to issues within their rival sports when suggesting soccer will move up the rankings.

Fees for purchasing an MLS club have risen from around $40 million to $300m, and Donovan said these higher prices are evidence of more and more interest in the sport.

"Finally, Major League Soccer is very close to the others," Donovan toldESPN Deportes. "I believe that, now, baseball, in my country, is for the older generation.

"Young people don't watch much baseball. American football [NFL] also has issues with security and health. Basketball [NBA] is in a good phase, but MLS is really growing. In five, 10, 15 years, I believe we will be the third, second or first sport in the country.

"[That it costs] $300m means everything -- because, if companies or people with money are paying a lot, this tells you business is good and that the league is growing."

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3774081/mls-closing-in-on-nfl-nba-mlb-in-us-landon-donovan

MLS closing in on NFL, NBA, MLB in U.S. - Landon Donovan

Former United States international Landon Donovan has said he believes Major League Soccer will soon challenge the country's more established sports in terms of popularity.

MLS sits behind NFL and NBA in terms of viewership in the U.S., but Donovan -- who won six MLS Cups with San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy -- pointed to issues within their rival sports when suggesting soccer will move up the rankings.

Fees for purchasing an MLS club have risen from around $40 million to $300m, and Donovan said these higher prices are evidence of more and more interest in the sport.

"Finally, Major League Soccer is very close to the others," Donovan told ESPN Deportes. "I believe that, now, baseball, in my country, is for the older generation.

"Young people don't watch much baseball. American football [NFL] also has issues with security and health. Basketball [NBA] is in a good phase, but MLS is really growing. In five, 10, 15 years, I believe we will be the third, second or first sport in the country.

"[That it costs] $300m means everything -- because, if companies or people with money are paying a lot, this tells you business is good and that the league is growing."

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https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/donovan-mls-will-soon-surpass-other-us-sports-leagues-in/llsodrn2ll3a1bhy13j2oti0e

Donovan: MLS will soon surpass other U.S. sports leagues in popularity

The former American international believes it's only a matter of time before the North American league becomes even more popular

Landon Donovan has said he believes Major League Soccer will soon surpass other North American professional sports leagues in terms of popularity.

MLS is continuing to expand, with Austin FC recently announced as the league's 27th franchise and set to begin play in 2021.

As more high-profile players enter the league and attendance grows, MLS continues to be mentioned as a league that could eventually be on par with MLB, the NBA and potentially even the NFL down the line.

MLS has a ways to go before it reaches those leagues in terms of viewership and mainstream buzz, but Donovan believes those days are coming sooner rather than later.

"Finally, Major League Soccer is very close to the others," Donovan told ESPN Deportes. "I believe that now, baseball, in my country, is for the older generation.

"Young people don't watch much baseball. American football [NFL] also has issues with security and health. Basketball [NBA] is in a good phase, but MLS is really growing.

"In five, 10, 15 years, I believe we will be the third, second or first sport in the country."

Donovan, who recently came out of retirement for a third time to join the San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League, pointed to franchise fees as evidence of the growth of MLS.

Prospective owners used to have to pay as little as $10 million to join the league as an expansion team, as Toronto FC did in 2006.

Now those fees can reach as much as 30 times that amount.

"[That it costs] $300m means everything -- because, if companies or people with money are paying a lot, this tells you business is good and that the league is growing," Donovan said.

Donovan, 36, won six MLS Cups during his career and is the joint all-time leading scorer for the U.S. national team with 57 goals.

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https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900055544/morning-links-real-salt-lakes-balance-and-depth-a-good-thing-mls-lays-claim-to-greatest-fashion-show-in-history.html

Morning Links: Real Salt Lake's balance and depth a good thing; MLS lays claim to greatest fashion show in history

SALT LAKE CITY — Who is the most irreplaceable player on Real Salt Lake?

That was the question asked by MLS Soccer’s Bobby Warshaw in a piece he penned Monday afternoon.

It was in fact a question he asked about every single Major League Soccer club, from Atlanta United to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Some of his choices were fairly self-explanatory, such as Wayne Rooney for DC United, Jozy Altidore for Toronto FC and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the LA Galaxy.

Other were more controversial, such as Nico Lodeiro for the Seattle Sounders or Michael Parkhurst for Atlanta United.

When it came to Real Salt Lake, however, Warshaw didn’t really have an answer.

As he far as he is concerned, though, that may be to the advantage of the Claret and Cobalt this season.

“There is none,” Warshaw wrote. “And that could be a good thing. RSL have cover in every position, and everyone pulls similar weight. Jefferson Savarino, Joao Plata and Corey Baird could all rotate at winger; same with Baird and Sam Johnson up top. Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach could fill in for each other; Tony Beltran provides cover at outside back while Nedum Onuoha, Justen Glad and Marcelo Silva each provide similar contributions at center back. So maybe Nick Rimando would be the right answer?”

Greatest fashion show ever?

In honor of New York Fashion Week, which began on Friday, Feb. 8, and will continue through the 16th, Major League Soccer tweeted a video Tuesday afternoon from a day long since passed — Oct. 15, 1995 to be exact.

The video was of the MLS Club and Kit launch, arguably the greatest fashion show, sports-themed or otherwise, to ever take place.

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http://magiccity.soccer/2019/02/12/gordon-banks-dies-at-81/

Gordon Banks: Former Fort Lauderdale Strikers and England keeper dies at 81

Gordon Banks (left) passed away at 81.

One of soccer’s greatest goalkeepers, Gordon Banks, passed peacefully in his sleep last night at the age of 81. Banks was a World Cup winner with England in 1966 and part of the original NASL revolution in the 1970s. Banks was the goalkeeper for the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in their infancy playing on the NASL roster alongside a whole load of greats including Gerd Müller, Teófilo Cubillas, Elías Figueroa and George Best.

Banks was a dominant figure in English football. He featured most prominently at the club level with Leicester City and Stoke City. He was named FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year every year from 1966 through 1971. However, a serious car accident in 1972 that cost him the vision in his right eye was thought to be a career-ender. But a chance in the United States lured Banks out of retirement and into an unbelievable second act in South Florida.

A Vision in South Florida

Over two seasons at Lockhart, Banks recorded 11 clean sheets in 37 games. He helped the side to a first-place finish in the Eastern Division of the Atlantic Conference, winning the NASL regular season in the process in 1977. Banks was voted the league’s best goalkeeper for his performances in the Strikers’ inaugural season. He conceded just 29 goals in 26 games before finally retiring from the game in 1978.

Inter Miami’s David Beckham stated on Instagram, “Our World Cup winner & our greatest goal keeper of all time. A hero and a gentleman. Our thoughts go out to Gordon’s family and friends. Rest In Peace.” Beckham and Inter Miami are one of two groups currently looking to revitalize Lockhart Stadium and bring it back into regular soccer use.

Gordon’s family: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Gordon passed away peacefully overnight. We are devastated to lose him but we have so many happy memories and could not have been more proud of him.”

Banks’s best known moment was an impossible save against Pele at the 1970 World Cup. Rest in peace Gordon.

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davidbeckham Our World Cup winner & our greatest goal keeper of all time. A hero and a gentleman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Our thoughts go out to Gordon’s family and friends @england Rest In Peace 🇬🇧

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mathiasorence hola @davidbeckham soy Mathias, tengo 8 años y soy Venezolano. Padezco  de sarcoma alveolar de partes blandas con metástasis en pulmón. Cuento con tu ayuda y asi mismo ayudame a difundir mi caso ya que necesito continuar con mi tratamiento y mis padres no cuentan con los recursos económicos. Gracias!! que Dios te bendiga!! https://www.gofundme.com/todosconmathias #elcancernoesperatupuedesayudar #cancer #sarcoma #ninosconconcancer

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http://www.indexjournal.com/sports/lander-great-van-taylor-remembers-life-of-nasl-teammate-gordon/article_4417c7c4-275d-5314-9504-4a3ac6fe340b.html

Lander great Van Taylor remembers life of NASL teammate Gordon Banks

England’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks died at 81 Tuesday, and the soccer world mourned his passing. Current England manager Gareth Southgate spoke on Banks’ impact, and Brazilian legend Pele posted to Facebook about how Banks sprung to his right like a “blue phantom” to make a save on Pele’s shot, which looked bound for the back of the net, during a 1970 World Cup match.

Banks’ impact reached Greenwood in a way, too. Former Lander coach Van Taylor, whose 390 wins with Lander makes him one of the winningest college soccer coaches, played with Banks in 1977 with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League.

“I have fond memories of playing with Gordon,” Taylor said Tuesday in a phone interview. “We roomed on the road and I got to know him not only as a teammate, but as a friend over the years. I’m just saddened by the loss.”

Banks came out of retirement to the NASL in 1977 at age 39, after losing sight in his right eye in a car crash prompted him to retire. He’d already won the 1966 World Cup with England and amassed more than 500 appearances in the English top flight.

In the new American league, Banks came over to play along with some of the era’s greatest players: Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Gerd Muller, Giorgio Chinaglia, Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst.

Taylor was the backup goalkeeper to Banks, and Taylor started his career learning from one of the game’s greatest ‘keepers.

“I think, even when we had a round of coffee or meal or were traveling on the road or in the hotel, we would talk the game,” Taylor said. “He helped me early on to look at the game from a different perspective. And for a lot of players and other coaches and players that you play with, they have an influence on you as a coach. He definitely had a great impact.”

Taylor said he didn’t keep regular contact with Banks after his playing career, but spoke with him on the phone when he visited Leicester City FC a few years ago.

After Taylor spent time in the NASL and Major Indoor Soccer League, he became Lander’s soccer coach. Taylor made the NCAA tournament nine times, won four Peach Belt titles and made an NAIA Final Four during 30 years at Lander. Lander’s current stadium is dedicated in his name.

Taylor said Banks made a great impression on his career. He added that the 1970s NASL era was a precursor for the success of soccer in the United States today.

“It was just a great time, with the likes of Pele and Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller, Eusebio and so many others,” Taylor said. “At the time, they were at the end of their careers and came over to help what soccer is today.”

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https://sports.yahoo.com/39-old-gordon-banks-left-171451573.html

How a 39-year-old Gordon Banks left his mark on NASL

From leading pre-season fitness tests on the beach to talking tactics on flights, a 39-year-old Gordon Banks had a major impact on NASL.

Eleven years after he became a World Cup winner and five years after a car accident left him blind in one eye and forced him to retire, Gordon Banks returned to the game he loved in the United States.

The former England international, who has died at the age of 81, ended his illustrious playing career in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the rebranded Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who he joined in 1977.

At 39, with a legacy already cemented and a World Cup winners' medal in his back pocket, Banks could have been forgiven for easing off in a state renowned for being a popular retirement destination.

Yet that was not Banks' style.

Despite being unable to see out of his right eye, the 73-cap international was voted to the All-Stars team in his first campaign and was the best player on a Strikers' side that won more regular-season games than anyone else.

"He had such a high work-ethic," his fellow Strikers goalkeeper Van Taylor told Omnisport.

"He was first to training, last to leave. He worked hard. There was a time in the pre-season where we would run on the beach from one pier to the other and he would be at the front of that pack every time. He took pride in his professionalism.

"He was so impeccable on angles and positioning. Where maybe I was flopping and making it look like good saves, he would just collect balls. He made things look so easy.

"When training was over he would say, 'Let's just keep a bag of balls'. I learned how to deliver a pretty good cross!"

Taylor had been the franchise's first-choice keeper the season before Banks arrived and, though he took his place in the team, the two became close friends.

As Taylor put it, he saw Banks, 16 years his senior, as a mentor and he learned lessons that stood him in good stead beyond his playing days too.

"I was cleaning out my attic the other day and I found some old Delta Air Lines napkins - when we were on the flight, Gordon and I would do X's and O's, tactics, and he had signed it," Taylor explained.

"We would just talk about the game, as players would, and get a napkin. As it turned out I ended up having a coaching career for 30 years. When I saw that I thought, 'There was one of my first coaching mentors'. It was kind of neat."

Those long-haul flights became regular occurrences for the Strikers, not that Banks appeared bothered by jet lag.

In one hectic run of four games in nine days, Banks and his team-mates played in Hawaii and Los Angeles before two home fixtures in Florida.

"I don't think we trained, we just showed up," Taylor admitted. "We won all four games on the trot and Gordon just played fantastic."

Banks was one of a number of high-profile players that featured in NASL, along with his old rival Pele and international team-mates Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, and Taylor feels those stars had a lasting impact on the sport in America.

"It was a fledging young league and to bring in a player the stature of Gordon laid the ground for what we have now," Taylor explained.

"It was the forerunner for today's MLS. People forget that they were the pioneers. Gordon had a tremendous impact on the league.

"I played in an era where people would say the best goalkeepers came from England at that time. I think Gordon is going to be regarded as one of, if not the, greatest goalkeepers to ever play."

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https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8498263/major-league-soccer-prince-royce-campaign

Major League Soccer Unveils New Campaign With Prince Royce

Courtesy of Major League Soccer Prince Royce, "Our Sound"

Major League Soccer has unveiled their newest campaign titled Our Soccer, featuring Latin star Prince Royce.

The campaign -- produced by The FADER and Cornerstone, MLS’ creative agency of record, and directed by Clayton Vomero -- expresses the unique experience of being an MLS fan and the growth of the soccer movement in North America.

“The ‘Our Soccer’ campaign captures the unique spirit, confident attitude and diverse environment that embodies MLS,” said David Bruce, MLS vp/brand and integrated marketing in a statement.

Prince Royce

READ MORE

Prince Royce Becomes Team Owner In Fan Controlled Football League: Exclusive

The spot, voiced by Prince Royce in Spanish and English, features him wearing Inter Miami CF gear, the MLS expansion club co-owned by cultural icon David Beckham, while at a party watching a soccer game alongside producer and DJ TOKiMONSTA, who wears a Los Angeles Football Club jersey.

Prince Royce said, “I think it’s one of the sports that has the most passion. You see so many cultures, languages -- that’s the great thing about music and the great thing about soccer.”

"MLS truly marries culture and sport and unites players and people from diverse backgrounds like no other sport in North America,” added Jon Cohen, co-ceo of Cornerstone and co-founder and co-ceo of The FADER.

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https://m.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/the-wrap/article/Prince-Royce-Celebrates-Diversity-of-MLS-Fans-in-13613525.php

Prince Royce Celebrates Diversity of MLS Fans in Multi-Cultural ‘Our Soccer’ Campaign (Video)

Latin Grammy nominee represents David Beckham's club, Inter Miami CF, in new hype video for 2019 MLS season

Latin Grammy-nominated singer Prince Royce has teamed up with the MLS to be the voice of the upcoming 2019 season.

Royce leads the league’s “Our Soccer” campaign that was launched on Tuesday, aiming to highlight the intersection of sports, culture and entertainment, and celebrate the most culturally diverse fanbase in all of North American sports.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/13/mls-exports-bright-performances-mexico-scotland-israel

MLS Exports: Bright performances in Mexico, Scotland, Israel

It's been an eventful month for Major League Soccer products now playing around the globe, and as always, we're here to catch you up.

Several players on our MLS exports list joined new clubs last month, with some of them — namely Tyler Adams, Ian Harkes, Matt Miazga and Timothy Weah — are already shining in their new locales.

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2019/02/toronto-and-cincinnati-in-the-new-era-of-mls-squad-building.html

TORONTO AND CINCINNATI IN THE NEW ERA OF MLS SQUAD BUILDING

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https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/02/13/how-st-louis-mls-dream-team-came-together-and-why.html

How St. Louis' MLS dream team came together and why it may not last forever

Carolyn Kindle Betz and the Taylor family resuscitated the city’s bid for a team in what may be the city's best — and last —chance to land a top flight soccer team.

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https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/soccer/rising/2019/02/13/phoenix-rising-still-hopeful-mls-spot-readies-usl-season/2863609002/

Phoenix Rising, still hopeful for MLS expansion spot, readies for another USL season

Becoming a Major League Soccer expansion team can be a complicated mess.

It takes an impressive stadium, team, fanbase, television market and, most importantly, the favor of the league's whims, which seems to change all the time.

But that mess has not been permitted to expand into the Phoenix Rising FC locker room. Literally.

Tidiness is one of the things Rick Schantz, who enters his first full season as the team's coach, has instilled in the club's culture. Every day there is a different player designated to make sure the locker room is left cleaner than it was found, and if that player fails, the entire team will know it.

"I got it from the New Zealand rugby team" Schantz said, "I think it says a lot about you as a person, that you respect your team and your workplace. Everyday, the guys have to clean the locker room."

Schantz expects the attention to detail in the locker room will translate to the pitch, where the Rising will have to replace Chris Cortez and Didier Drogba, the club's two most prolific scorers.

Last year, Cortez, who now plays for the Thai team Chonburi FC, led the Rising with 19 goals; Drogba, who retired, led the team in goals per appearance with seven goals in 12 showings.     

One of the players tasked with filling the void is Adam Jahn.

"We'll be just as dangerous," Jahn said. "You can't replace Drogba, but we're also going to be playing a little differently and less reliant on one player."

Jahn joined the team from Columbus and brings with him MLS experience. While the players on the Rising don't spend too much time talking about the MLS, it's still the goal of everyone in the organization.

"That spotlight is going to be on us and our players, and we have a lot of guys who thrive with that," goalkeeper Carl Wosczcynski said. "It's not something we don't think about too much. That is more of a behind the scenes thing with ownership, but I think we're still on track to make it to the MLS."

The MLS plans to expand to 32 teams by 2026, but right now the cap is 28. Cincinnati, Miami, Nashville and Austin have all edged Phoenix for a spot, but there is still one open.

While the Rising ownership still needs to secure a new stadium, the team's performance will dictate a lot about its future. Wins will attract fans and TV ratings, which will attract the attention of the MLS.

The Rising made it all the way to the USL finals last year but will have to rely on new faces to build on its foundation.

Schantz and his team will begin its regular-season campaign on March 9 at San Antonio FC.

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/994732

USL Communications Expands, Restructures Ahead of 2019 Season

NEW ARRIVALS, FAMILIAR FACES FEATURE AS STAFF HONES FOCUS AHEAD OF BIGGEST CAMPAIGN IN LEAGUE HISTORY

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https://en.onefootball.com/matias-almeyda-wants-mls-and-liga-mx-to-feature-in-copa-libertadores/

Matías Almeyda wants MLS and Liga MX sides in the Copa Libertadores

San Jose Earthquakes and former Chivas boss Matías Almeyda wants teams from Liga MX and Major League Soccer to participate in the Copa Libertadores.

Liga MX teams have been a part of South America’s premiere competition in the past but have not participated since 2015, when Tigres made the final.

“Yes, [MLS teams] should be there because if the Champions [League] is played in all of Europe, then the Copa Libertadores should be played by all of America,” the 45-year-old told ESPN.

“It would be more complete to have one champion for America, instead of two.”

North America’s current premiere competition, the CONCACAF Champions League, has been won by Liga MX sides in all 13 years of the tournament’s existence.

However, Almeyda says MLS sides are closer to winning the title. He won the competition last year with Chivas over 2017 MLS champions Toronto FC.

“[MLS] was close [in 2018] until we got hold of them with Chivas and won,” laughed Almeyda.

“[The dynamic] changed and it will continue to change,” said the former River Plate midfielder.

“Toronto defeated América and won against Tigres, so it was an improvement.

“[Toronto] couldn’t manage [to win] against a great team [in Chivas], but before, it had defeated other big teams.”

The CONCACAF Champions League round-of-16 will commence on 19 February, the same date where the Copa Libertadores play-off stage will begin.

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https://www.wcpo.com/news/political/local-politics/fc-cincinnati-stadium-hits-snag-at-city-hall-zoning-change-and-maybe-construction-delayed

FC Cincinnati stadium hits snag at City Hall, delaying zoning change (and maybe construction)

CINCINNATI — Two hours of discussion at City Hall Wednesday ended in a stalemate that could postpone FC Cincinnati's timeline for construction of its West End stadium.

City Council moved to hold a vote on a necessary zoning change on the proposed Central Parkway location.

The council's hesitation to move the project forward stemmed from ongoing concerns raised by the Cincinnati Ballet — over lingering uncertainty of where Ballet employees and other users of its adjacent facility will park — as well as the still-unresolved displacement of Monica Williams' Just Cookin' restaurant.

The ballet company currently leases the northeast corner of the stadium site for parking, and Williams' business was located on the proposed site. She still does not have a new location for her business and has expressed a desire to stay in West End but has discovered finding a new location to be cost-prohibitive.

Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld called the motion to delay the vote, saying the "generations-long" implications of the project meant the concerns were worth working out, even if it meant added cost and delays in construction.

"This is a good debate to be having," Sittenfeld said. "I'd rather be a city where we're succeeding to have things sometimes collide. I think we can get in a better place."

Neither City Council nor Mayor John Cranley scheduled a follow-up meeting, meaning the city could hold the zoning change required to begin construction until next Thursday, the council's next regularly scheduled meeting. The council did act, though, to allow a special session to be called 24 hours in advance if the parties in question reach agreements before then.

Councilman Greg Landsman, who supported the team's bid to build its stadium in West End, said it's crunch time.

"This is a matter of days. I'm encouraging everyone to dig in," he told team officials, community stakeholders and his colleagues at Wednesday's meeting. "The clock is on now. It's ticking. Let's get this resolved as quickly as we can."

FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding told City Council that any delay in Wednesday's vote would mean a delay in what has become a very tight construction timeline. The team has committed to hosting its first Major League Soccer home game at the stadium in March 2021. Failing to meet that deadline could result in fines on the team from the league.

Berding also warned that a delay in the vote would mean a delay in putting people to work developing the site.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, Berding wrote, "Those (construction) contracts will be delayed, and minority- and women-owned businesses, union laborers, and local subcontractors wanting and ready to work and support their families will be delayed."

For Councilman Wendell Young, resolving the lingering issues was worth taking more time.

"I'm willing to come back tomorrow," he said. "I'm willing to come back at night. I'm willing to come back at whatever time they say they've got these issues resolved."

Wednesday's City Council meeting agenda contained two ordinances related to the stadium. Council held the zoning change but approved a land deal that will transfer ownership of publicly owned land — specifically, a portion of Cincinnati Police Department District 1 headquarters' parking lot, the city-owned Town Center parking garage, and public rights-of-way on streets within the site footprint — to team ownership.

The team has proposed a 26,000-seat stadium that will sit on Central Parkway just north and across Central Parkway, at the former location of Robert A. Taft I.T. High School's Stargel Stadium.

Once City Council approves the concept plan and zoning change, the City Planning Commission will approve all final design details, including stadium design, on-site parking and traffic engineering.

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/conmebol-copa-libertadores/story/3774210/matias-almeyda-wants-to-see-copa-libertadores-open-to-mls-liga-mx

Matias Almeyda wants to see Copa Libertadores open to MLS, Liga MX

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https://www.tampabay.com/hillsborough/joe-henderson-using-soccer-to-make-life-better-in-the-village-where-he-was-born-20190213/

Joe Henderson: Using soccer to make life better in the village where he was born

Jordan Peloubet, a Tampa Prep sophomore, is raising $130,000 to build a soccer complex in Tanzania.

Soccer could be that vehicle. With the help of former Tampa Bay Rowdies player Farrukh Quraishi, he is attempting to raise about $130,000 to build a soccer complex back in his village.

“Kids there now usually play on the streets, or on a dirt field, or a dangerous place like a toxic dump,” Quraishi said. “Jordan wants to leave a legacy for the community he left.”

Quraishi serves on the board of lovefutbol.org, a non-profit that raises money to build soccer facilities in places of need around the globe. Jordan’s old home qualifies.