Preaching Soccer to the Masses: On the Frontlines With Queen City FC

In a new segment here on B/R, I'll be discussing my experiences as President and GM of Queen City Football Club, a National Premier Soccer League franchise.  Writing about soccer is one thing, but what about those who are trying to turn it into a viable business?  Or those who are trying to promote the game in non-soccer-friendly places? These are my experiences in attempting to ''Preach Soccer to The Masses''

While living in rural Spain in 2006-2007, the highlight of my week was my Sunday kickabout with about 40 other players.  This was quite the diverse group; Arabs, Romanians, Spaniards, Brazilians, Ecuadorians, Peruvians, and one 6'2" 195 lbs. second generation Polish American tossed in there for good measure.   

I was invited to play with the group by a local bar owner, who upon hearing my love for soccer, affectionately coined me ''Peter Crouch'' and told me where to find ''the best game in town.''  The next day I found myself suiting up with a slew of players, who were absolutely nuts for the game, but were all the norm in their home countries. 

After playing in a few games and with all the players realizing I in fact do have soccer skill (I was four year all-league and all-conference in High School), the talk over obligatory kickabout beers turned to soccer and it's place in the United States.  Everyone had an opinion. 

''You guys are too fat.'' chimed in my friend Alberto.  ''Too much McDonalds, not enough soccer.''  We all started laughed.  Maybe he was right? 

Amidst all of the joking and comments, Aitor had this to say.

''I think that people in the United States really don't care about soccer.''

After hearing that, I got to thinking.  Is this really true?  Do people not care for the game that is embraced by the entire world? 

Being a bit naive I explained that soccer is growing in the United States and it is mostly people that do not know about the game that dislike it.  Within a few years and with some effort things will change.  With that being said, we all went back to drinking our beers.  

Fast forward to 2008 and now I understand the far-reaching effects of that statement, having been on the front lines for the last year with Queen City FC. 

Queen City FC was founded in Buffalo, New York in 2006 by four college friends who were all brought together by soccer.  The idea for the club came about when Chris Keem, former president and GM looked at a Liverpool beanie he had on and said ''Wouldn't it be cool to own our own soccer team?'' 

The idea spread like wildfire and in a year's time they had founded Queen City FC and were slated to play in the National Premier Soccer League.  The NPSL is considered the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid (that lovely thing that looks nicely color coordinated but no one gives a damn about). 

The league is on par with the Premier Development League (PDL) which is the amateur league for the United Soccer Leagues (USL) which joins the lovely alphabet soup that is American Soccer. 

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