The Concrete Jungle’s Playground: Our Journey with Soccer in New York City

By Omar Ali and Mohamed Eleish

In the midst of New York City’s towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, it’s hard to imagine how this urban landscape could birth our love for the beautiful game of soccer – a game of wide, open fields and freedom. In a country dominated by three-pointers, touchdowns, and home runs, it’s hard for soccer fans and players like us to feel at home. Despite the presence of two MLS teams – New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls – it often feels as though soccer takes a backseat amidst the local sports culture. While iconic NYC teams such as the Nets, the Jets, the Mets, the Giants, the Knicks, the Yankees, and the Rangers enjoy widespread recognition, soccer’s representation remains overshadowed, leaving enthusiasts like us yearning for more prominence. 

Besides the lack of publicity and facilities for soccer, there’s also a lack of local events and games to get excited about. The World Cup happens just once every four years and then, it’s only for two short months. While it garners immense global attention, its presence in New York City often feels subdued compared to the annual extravaganzas of events like the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and World Series. While its viewership rivals and sometimes even surpasses that of these annual events, the fervor for the World Cup within the city feels somewhat muted. While sports bars and fan clubs may host watch parties, the city as a whole doesn’t quite come alive with the same palpable energy and excitement that one might experience in soccer-loving regions like Europe or South America.

It’s therefore no surprise that finding fellow soccer fanatics has always been extremely difficult, especially since our high school days. Particularly as we’ve transitioned to university life at NYU, it’s been nearly impossible to find the time or energy to keep up with the sport. Besides the pricey leagues and clubs which tend to be time-consuming, there aren’t many opportunities for us to enjoy the game we grew up playing.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for soccer lovers in the Concrete Jungle. In fact, we’ve discovered a vibrant community of New Yorkers, hailing from all walks of life, who share our deep, unwavering passion for the game. This community, known as the NYC Pickup Soccer group, has completely transformed our experience with soccer in New York City.

The NYC Pickup Soccer group is a group that organizes pickup games in various parks around the city. These games are open to anyone and everyone, regardless of skill level or experience. The group has over 11,000 members and is constantly growing, reflecting the demand for a community like this in the city.

Joining this group has allowed us to meet new people, form lasting friendships, and most importantly, play the sport that we love. It’s a diverse community, with players from all over the world, bringing a variety of styles and techniques to the games. It’s also a great way to stay fit and active in a city where fitness options can be expensive.

But what makes this community truly special is the sense of camaraderie and passion for the sport. Despite the differences in backgrounds and cultures, we all come together on the field for one common goal – to play and enjoy the game of soccer. Without a doubt, we believe that soccer breaks down individual differences. Each match is an expression of how we should behave as neighbors, friends, family members, and members of society. Every pass and every chant emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. You can’t make a ‘wave’ unless everyone in the stadium is on the same page.  We’ve also found that being a part of this community has opened up many opportunities to attend live soccer games in New York City. We’ve been to games at Yankee Stadium, Red Bull Arena, and even Madison Square Garden, when it’s been transformed into a soccer field for international matches. Being able to experience the excitement of a live game has only strengthened our love for the sport.

In a city that may not always prioritize soccer, the NYC Pickup Soccer group has become our haven. It has given us a sense of belonging and a platform to continue playing and enjoying the sport we grew up with. Through this community, we have found our own unique way of navigating the concrete jungle and indulging in our passion for soccer.

One of the most exciting developments for soccer fans in the US is the fact that the next World Cup will be hosted here in 2026. This is a huge opportunity for the sport to gain even more popularity and for  fans to experience the biggest tournament in the world firsthand. With the US, Canada, and Mexico co-hosting, it will be a truly unique and unforgettable experience. For the first time, soccer fans from across the world will be flocking to the United States to witness the thrilling games of the world cup. Perhaps this will encourage Americans to start looking into soccer and to start exploring this sport.  But it’s not just about the World Cup. More and more big-name players are making their way to Major League Soccer, bringing with them a level of talent and skill that was once thought impossible in the US. Players like Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Wayne Rooney, and Carlos Vela have all made headlines with their moves to MLS teams, proving that the league is now a legitimate destination for top players.

The influx of these high profile players to Major League Soccer (MLS) has been largely facilitated by the designated player rule, also known as the “Beckham Rule.”  This rule allows MLS teams to sign up to three international players whose wages don’t count towards the team’s salary cap– allowing MLS clubs to attract internationally renowned talents. This rule, implemented in 2007, marked a significant turning point in the MLS, transforming it from a weak league into one that’s competitive and appealing even in the prime years of professional athletes’ careers. This transformative shift from relying on academy grown American players to relying on international star players from Europe’s most prestigious soccer leagues(e.g. Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc.) has proven to be substantial to the soccer scene here. Each star player adds not only skill but also experience from competing at some of  the world’s greatest soccer competitions (e.g. UEFA Champion’s league). Furthermore, these moves have significantly impacted MLS viewership numbers and stadium attendance rates (Rumsey). Each game featuring famous international soccer players sees spikes in fan attendance with fans hoping to witness historic plays or to admire the fact that a legend like Lionel Messi is playing in their local stadium. The arrival of players like Messi is starting to, slowly but surely, embed the MLS into the fabric of American culture.

And it’s not just about the players. The fan culture surrounding soccer in the US is also growing and becoming more passionate. American soccer fans who used to tune in to European leagues to watch their favorite players are now witnessing their favorite players in person. Additionally, the quality of play, better marketing, and significant investments in player development and infrastructure have started to attract a wider audience. Supporters’ groups are popping up all over the country, creating vibrant and lively atmospheres at games. And with the rise of social media, fans are more connected than ever, creating a sense of community and camaraderie among supporters.

But perhaps soccer isn’t as popular in the U.S. as it is in other countries because – let’s face it – comparatively, we just suck. Despite being the greatest squadron of talent within the U.S., the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) has shown that it consistently falls short on the big stage. It’s no wonder why Americans don’t like soccer as much as other sports. In 2022, 2014, and 2010, the U.S. Men’s National Team was eliminated in the round of 16 – a very early dismissal. What’s more disappointing is that the USMNT couldn’t even qualify for the World Cup in 2018 – losing to Trinidad and Tobago in the qualifiers. Although you could argue that the USMNT has experienced more success domestically, within the CONCACAF region, nobody really cares. Who cares about the CONCACAF Gold Cup when most Americans are watching the World Cup? The most recent USMNT has been a team that’s been given all the resources it could possibly muster – modern facilities, top managers (e.g. Jesse Marsch, Julian Nagelsmann), and the greatest talents in the form of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Weston McKennie. However, despite all these advantages, performances at critical moments have been underwhelming. This failure may have easily demotivated casual viewers or potential fans who were otherwise interested in following soccer more closely.  In contrast to sports like basketball or swimming where the U.S. often achieves international success and garners significant media attention, especially during events like the Olympics, the USMNT hasn’t achieved a similar level of success or garnered comparable attention from American audiences.

While there is still a long way to go in terms of catching up to other countries, the progress we have made is undeniable and we’re still optimistic about the future of soccer in the United States. With the next World Cup on the horizon and the continued growth of the MLS, we have no doubt that soccer will continue to thrive and capture the hearts of even more Americans.