Soccer is more than just a sport for many people; it brings many emotions to fans and players alike. The deeply rooted connection between one’s teams and the community can be immense. The New York City Football Club (NYCFC) has been promoting the game of soccer in many different ways throughout New York.
Back in 2015, NYCFC played its inaugural season. Through the many ups and downs from season to season, NYCFC was able to lift its first Major League Soccer (MLS) trophy in 2021, bringing New York its first major trophy since 2011, beating the Portland Timbers in a dramatic penalty shootout.
On and off the field, NYCFC has strived to make a difference. With the help of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Adidas, Etihad Airways, and the Mayor’s Fund, they have committed $3 million to help implement 50 mini-soccer fields creating a new NYC Soccer Initiative (NYCSI).
Since 2016 when the New York Soccer Initiative began, NYCFC has completed installing 50 brand new mini fields back in November 2021. With the help of the NYCSI, they have helped create a safe space where people around the community can be active and engaged with the game.
The NYCFC has also partnered up with the District Attorney’s Office to help provide the younger generation between the ages of 11-18 the ability to receive guidance from local trainers and help promote academic improvement.
NYCFC has also partnered with Goya to create the Healthy Hat-trick curriculum, which provides in-school and after-school extracurricular activities free of charge in over 50 public schools and other organizations throughout the community.
The Healthy Hat-trick curriculum has given a helping hand to over 3,000 young people on a weekly basis. Over 70 percent of participants believe that being involved in the Healthy Hat-trick curriculum has made them more active. And over 75 percent of participants believe that the program has helped them make healthier food choices.
NYCFC is not alone in helping local communities with the assistance of Los Templados 12, an NYCFC supporters group based out of Queens. They have strived to help underprivileged communities. Since Los Templado’s inception back in 2015 after NYCFC’s first home game, they felt the need to bring Latin American style support to the city of New York.
The voice of the Los Templados can be heard through every home game NYCFC plays with their drums and chants supporting the team echoing throughout the stadium. With members throughout New York, the love of the game has brought Los Templados recognition creating a nonprofit organization.
In 2021, Los Templados held countless food drives and coat drives around New york, promoting the game of soccer and helping those in need. With plans of partnering up with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to help clean up debris and waste throughout Flushing meadows.
Los Templados stated that they have plans to “collect equipment, donations to help out a few soccer academies that we have met that are underfunded and could really use ours and the rest of the communities help.”
With the assistance of NYCFC and organizations such as Los Templados local communities are finding the help they need. The next generation of youth is finding support from these events, which strive to better the community in ways that were not commonly sought after.
With the 2022 season heating up, NYCFC is looking to contribute in many different ways to help local communities.
