CLUBELEVEN ISSUE 01: THE SOCCER ODYSSEY

We traveled to Italy to meet with one of the USMNT captains ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Sitting by a fire pit in the secluded hills of Turin, the Juventus star opened up about his unseen personal journey up until this crucial moment in history, the intricacies of building a lasting legacy, what he hopes this World Cup could do for the future of soccer in America, and much more.

The NWSL player who helped bring the 2026 World Cup to North America. We ventured to Durham, North Carolina, to chat with Brianna about her pivotal bid-clinching speech at the 68th FIFA Congress in 2018, how her local community has shaped her distinguished soccer career, and her tireless advocacy work to create a better future for players across all levels and types of soccer.

FIFA referee, lawyer, broadcaster, and now president of a brand new club. Christina wears many hats, but through her new position running the Tampa Bay Sun (in the newly established USL Super League), she’s taking her mission to build a better environment for women in sports one step further. We headed to Tampa to find out how she does it all. 

After the 1970 World Cup in Mexico (the first one hosted in North American soil), Pelé proudly called Peruvian midfielder Teófilo Cubillas his “successor.” Cubillas would go on to become the midfielder with most goals at World Cups, led his country to an improbable Copa America title, and in 1978 arrived to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL. We met Cubillas in Miami to dig into that often-overlooked part of his illustrious career and reveal how that generation of legendary internationals in NASL changed the sport in our country forever.

Two “mad scientists” redefining what soccer balls can be. We visited Jon-Paul and Allison Wheatley’s studio in St. Louis, where they’ve created balls inspired by watermelons, some made out of mushroom fibers, others comprised of 232 different panels, and some made in homage of Tetris. We got to the heart of their creative process and how they’ve turned their Wonka-esque approach to making balls into a viable business.

Brandi Mitchell is arguably the greatest soccer connector in the country. We showed up to one of her regular weekend games in California with women ages 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70+ to learn about the uplifting story behind SanDiegoSoccerWomen.com.

Katey Orr fell in love with soccer at Grand Canyon National Park. These days, living in Denver, she drives eight hours(!) to go to Utah Royals games in Salt Lake City. It begs one question: why?

We took a tour of Churchill Downs—home of the Kentucky Derby— with the youngest player to score 60 goals in USL history. For Wilson, it was an opportunity to reflect on his time in Louisville and say goodbye to the city and club that made him a star in the American second division.

A local tournament icon in indoor facilities across Maryland, Husam Mutawe has helped unite immigrant communities from all over the world through the teams and tournaments he helps run.

Known for his eccentric mohawk, vibrant personality, and deep care for all those who love the sport, Elliot Fauske (affectionately known as The Mohican Warrior by fans) became an icon of the American indoor soccer scene in the early 2010s. Now that he’s hung up his boots and cut his famous hairdo, we ventured to the forests of Washington state to catch up with him and uncover the story of a player who turned grit, humor, and a warm passion for growing the game into a lasting legacy.

On any given matchday in Chattanooga, TN, you can find Topher Kersting at the very top of Finley Stadium waving the (alleged) largest soccer flag in America. Legend says he gets his flagpoles imported from Germany and burns 3,500 calories per game.

Commissioned illustrations, additional reflections, and original art round out this must-have collectible magazine for true fans of soccer in America.