107. ClubEleven

Hi I’m Scot Cooper and this is the Tales From the Trail Podcast by MatchPlay.  In this episode I welcome Gabriel Bayona Sapag and Roshan Patel of ClubEleven, a digital media publication connecting soccer audiences across North America.  They have the mission to highlight unique, personal stories in soccer in an effort to grow the game and through storytelling and a feeling of connection between those in the game.  Check them out at clubelevenmag.com and make sure to subscribe to their newsletter which provides great content every Tuesday, for free!  Thank you to Gabe and Rosh for all you’re doing!

Summary

In this conversation, Scot Cooper speaks with Gabriel Bayona Sapag and Rosh about Club Eleven's photography contest and their mission to highlight the diversity and uniqueness of soccer in North America. They discuss the categories and judging process of the contest, as well as the winners and community support. The conversation also touches on the growth of USL Two clubs and the importance of grassroots soccer. Gabriel shares his personal soccer journey, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the sport. They conclude by emphasizing the need for accessibility and the power of informal play in soccer development. Club 11 is focused on growing grassroots awareness and telling the stories of players and characters in the soccer space. They started by profiling players and expanded into long-form editorial stories and video content. The team believes that storytelling is their most impactful way to make a difference. They have a clear strategy and are building a strong team to execute their vision. The team hosted an event that brought together people from different generations and backgrounds to share and enjoy soccer stories. They are passionate about preserving the history of soccer in the US.

Takeaways

Club Eleven's photography contest aims to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of soccer in North America.

The contest features categories such as growing the game, match action, and soccer fandom.

The judging process involves a panel of talented photographers from the soccer community.

The contest winners receive recognition and support from their communities.

USL Two clubs, like Vermont Green, have passionate fan bases and contribute to the growth of soccer in North America.

Club Eleven focuses on grassroots soccer and aims to tell the stories that resonate with everyday soccer fans.

The founders of Club Eleven have a personal connection to soccer, which drives their passion for the sport.

Accessibility and opportunities in soccer are important issues that need to be addressed.

Informal play, such as futsal in parks, can play a crucial role in soccer development.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:57 Photography Contest and Its Purpose

04:27 Winners and Community Support

07:14 USL Two Clubs and Fandom

07:35 Selection of Categories

10:34 Growing the Game and North American Soccer

14:41 Personal Soccer Journey

29:02 Importance of Play and Informal Soccer

29:51 Growing Grassroots Awareness

31:09 Starting to Profile Players

34:25 Telling Editorial Stories

37:14 The Impact of Storytelling

39:25 Building a Strategy and Team

50:36 The Importance of Events

57:06 Preserving Soccer History