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• Sunil Gulati is considering not running for the office of U.S. Soccer president in February, according to a source close to the situation. Soc Takes could not independently corroborate the information. The Allahabad-born Gulati has served as president of U.S. Soccer since 2006 and currently also serves on the FIFA…
• As Soc Takes revealed on Twitter last week, the NASL and USSF were in discussions to facilitate a continuation of the league at the D2 level. This story was independently confirmed by former Empire of Soccer editor-in-chief Dave Martinez and Jeff Rueter. Since then, reports from Michael Lewis of Front Row…
• Any discussion of the NASL vs. USL “soccerwarz” often sets off mad ideological arguments about the the pro soccer leagues and their “independence.” NASL proponents have long conflated the structures of MLS and the USL as one-in-the-same, when in fact they are very different. MLS employs a single-entity model…
• Following the United States’ failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, several days of robust discussion took place regarding changes that need to be made to the way the sport of soccer is governed and marketed in the United States. Most of the conversations centered on familiar…
• U.S. Soccer presidential candidate and UPSL Northeast Conference manager Paul Lapointe shares his wide array of ideas to improve the sport across all levels domestically. The panel covers everything from pay to play, pro/rel and equal pay for the USWNT, to making the position of U.S. Soccer president a…
• Last week, during the NASL’s conference call regarding its antitrust lawsuit against the USSF, New York Cosmos owner and NASL chairman Rocco Commisso accused a member of U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors of falling asleep while he was making his presentation. Donna Shalala was the board member Commisso referred…
• The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) has sent a letter of complaint to U.S. Soccer about what they perceive as “continued tampering” with NPSL teams. The letter of complaint was sent during the week of September 25th-29th, 2017. The letter is addressed to Lydia Wahlke, legal counsel for the USSF…
• Some argue it’s necessary for the U.S. to achieve its full soccer potential. Others think Major League Soccer might not even be where it’s at in a different model. Whatever your stance is on the issue of promotion and relegation, it remains perhaps the most divisive topic in American…
• The NASL held a conference call Thursday afternoon regarding its federal antitrust lawsuit against the USSF. NASL chairman and New York Cosmos owner Rocco B. Commisso, Winston & Strawn LLP co-executive chairman Jeffrey Kessler and NASL interim commissioner Rishi Sehgal were the speakers. Each made opening remarks before taking…
• Inverted Triangle podcast host and WRAL writer Neil Morris guests on the Soc Takes Pod panel to talk about the NASL’s federal antitrust lawsuit filed against the U.S. Soccer Federation, as well as his background in sports journalism. LISTEN HERE Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to patron-only…

• During International Women’s Day weekend, Record.com columnist Ignacio “Fantasma” Suarez published a story about a first-division player involved in a sexual scandal. Despite the damaging and compelling testimony from the victim, the institution that represents the player, Pumas, denied every single part of the column in a press release….
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• The Portland Timbers recently welcomed new Designated Player Brian Fernandez, a young Argentinian footballer who came from the Liga MX and scored in his first game with the Timbers, into MLS after being the second-best striker of the Mexican tournament. During the Clausura 2019, Fernandez reached 12 goals in…
• It is the era of the tiger in the Liga MX. Tigres obtained its seventh title after defeating Leon by an aggregate score of 1-0. The runner-up in the CONCACAF Champions League conquered its fifth league title in the last 10 years. Tigres is the reflection of exceptional sports…
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• The San Jose Earthquakes ended the speculation that surrounded the future of Argentinian coach Matias Almeyda. After a three-year relation with Mexican club Chivas, several media outlets placed Almeyda as a candidate to take the principal seat of Club Leon (Mexico), San Lorenzo (Argentina) or the national teams of…
• Tonight, the MLS All-Stars will take on Italian giant Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The All-Star Game is always a fun and entertaining night for MLS fans celebrating the league’s best players on national television in front of a packed stadium. Since 2005, the MLS All-Star game has…
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• So, you’re new to American soccer. Maybe you caught the MLS bug, maybe your city just joined the USL, maybe you’re trying to figure out how the Open Cup works, or wonder what all this talk of divisions and tiers is about. That’s understandable! You’ve entered into something that…
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Photo credit: Exodus Refugee Immigration

INDIANAPOLIS — In celebration of World Refugee Day and the refugees who call central Indiana home, Exodus Refugee Immigration is hosting its annual World Refugee Day Reggae Party this Saturday from 4-10 p.m. at the Cottage Home Community Space at 714 North Highland Avenue. It’s free to attend and for all ages.

“This event is to celebrate World Refugee Day, June 20, recognized and celebrated internationally,” event organizer Andy Beck explained. “A day that should be celebrated. For us locally, it is an opportunity to engage with our local refugee resettlement agency, to learn more about their work and learn more about our refugee neighbors. And also to contribute money to them at a time when their federal funding has been slashed.”

The party will feature several DJs spinning reggae and international music: DJ Andy Capps, DJ Rasul Mowatt, Deej Zion Tulz and DJ Kyle Long. The food vendors include Gordon’s Ice Cream Parolor, Rabble Coffee, Da Blue Lagoon and El Venezolano FT. Centerpoint Brewing, New Day Craft and Mass Ave Wine round out the beverage options.

“Refugees Welcome” T-shirts will be sold and monetary donations are also accepted. All proceeds from the event will benefit refugee resettlement services.

Exodus Refugee Immigration will run some fun activities during the first half of the party from 4-7 p.m. Additionally, the “Ask a Refugee” booth will enable attendees to connect with refugees to learn more about their experiences and how to support them.

Some Indy-based refugees that Exodus Refugee Immigration has worked with have made waves in the local soccer community, as well. Perry Meridian High School’s soccer program, for example, got an enormous boost from Burmese refugees, whom made up about two-thirds of the team’s roster as of 2017.

With rain in the forecast for Saturday, World Refugee Day Reggae Party attendees are advised to check out the Facebook event page for any weather-related updates.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.

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Photo credit: Jamie Smed/Soc Takes

I grew up a sports fan. I’m from Chicagoland. I watch TV. Therefore, you become a sports fan. Well that, and I was surrounded by sports fans. I’m a White Sox fan, Bears fan and an Indiana University fan above all else.

I grew up thinking I was an athlete. I lived in Indiana. I played basketball. I went to basketball camp. I made a basket in my fifth-grade game. I can play a competitive game of HORSE. But I am no basketball player. I do, however, have my moments on a tennis court. Those I enjoy. But I do not have the drive or the god-given talent to be a professional athlete. I’ve had moments of glory. And those I’ll keep.

So I’m a fan. I love the competition. I love the feeling of winning. I’ve wept tears of joy. I’ve wept in the agony of defeat. I’ve argued about the rules of a match, outcome of a match, another team cheating, etc… I’ll stand my ground. I’m passionate.

And I’m a fan of soccer. I didn’t play as a child. I watched my friends play from youth through college. And then I watched them play professionally. And yes, I met new friends along the way. I love the game. It’s pure. It’s passionate. It’s beautiful. When you see the ball soar to the net in a way that makes your jaw drop to the ground, you respect the game. That’s it. I began as a fan and I became a writer, hoping to help others see the game the way I do.

There are athletes that enter our lives and make a mark on it. You admire their passion, talent and drive. You aspire to be more like them. You may not pull it off on the pitch, but surely you can emulate their behavior in something you do. So you find your passion. You pursue that passion. We call them heroes, but we know they are human just like us.

And there are rare occasions in a lifetime, where an athlete or a team will win the hearts of a city, a state, a country or even the world. And when that happens… When our players become a force to reckon with and get held up on a pedestal, maybe just maybe, we should pay them accordingly.

I get it. I’m a girl. In general, men make more money than women. It is what it is. It’s taken decades for women to have the chance to compete in a man’s world. Change doesn’t happen overnight. But maybe, just maybe, a team that wins four world championships (World. Championships.) and dominates the international game while making time for fans, deserves a little more. I know it seems impossible that a group of women could make that happen. But I promise you — it is not. It’s real folks, and it’s time these women deserve credit.

I remember taking my Mom and my cousin to a Women’s World Cup match in 1999. I wanted the three of us to celebrate our birthday month in true fashion. So we did. We sat there and watched the U.S. women’s national team destroy Nigeria 7-1. It was electric. It was exciting. We sat among a sold-out crowd of 65,080 people. Well, we stood. It was history and we were there. That is inspirational, no matter what the age we had 40 years spacing us. And yet we were all inspired. The U.S. women went on to win their second World Cup championship. Amazing.

This last summer I took my goddaughter to a game-watch party in Lincoln Park for the U.S. versus England semifinal. It was hot. It rained. We stood in a tunnel awaiting the start of a game. There was a soccer player in there with us: Brian McBride. Nobody acknowledged him. McBride, one of the most successful men to ever play for the United States, with 96 caps and 30 goals. I knew who he was. She soon learned who he was. He is a U.S. legend.

Yet if it were Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Rose Lavelle, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, Hope Solo, etc., I have no doubt these young girls and their parents would know who they were.

Alas, we watched the USWNT earn a 2-1 victory. We jumped. We screamed. We hugged. The atmosphere was electric. It was a great day. I’ve watched different generations of young girls and women learn to love this U.S. women’s national team. I’ve learned to love this team. I respect this team. I look up to this team. I’ve grown with this team. They leave it all on the pitch. That in and of itself is worthy of respect.

So yeah, it’s fair to say that these women have made a mark on the game, and this country. And it’s fair to say that soccer moms and dads may be more aware of the women than the men. After all, the women have played in eight World Cups and won four — four world championships since 1991.

The men, they’ve played in 10 World Cups and won zero. As a matter of fact, what’s the biggest U.S. men’s win in your lifetime? Does anything come to mind? I seem to recall an American squad handing Spain a 2-0 defeat in the 2009 Confederations Cup. That was huge. Biggest win in my lifetime? Not sure. But it was pretty damn impressive and fun to watch. The men then made it past the knockout round for two consecutive World Cups. And then in 2018, they failed to qualify.

And don’t get me wrong. I have the utmost respect for the men. But some of those players understand the talent these women have and how undervalued they are. And think about it. Can you name one time when a U.S. women’s national team match or player caught your attention? I bet you can. Now how about a U.S. men’s national team player? Can you even name a player on the men’s team?

So please don’t say the women are less talented. Don’t say they aren’t as strong. Don’t say they don’t deserve equal pay. Don’t say their competition isn’t as tough. Talented, strong, feisty and tough only begin to describe them. And they deserve equal pay. Period. Perhaps they even deserve more pay. After all they are defending World Champions. Maybe when the women do great and the men are subpar, the money should be switched toward the women? Just a thought.

Follow Kathryn on Twitter: @Katknapp99.

Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.

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