Friday 11/17

Luis Butz de León
November 17, 2023

☀️🌇👋 Happy Friday SSB Crew. It took us approximately three months to mention the name Taylor Swift, and so here we are. Last night’s match up between Argentina and Uruguay did not go as planned in more ways that one for Messi and crew. First- Argentina had to move the match from their traditional home stadium (Estadio Monumental) because of fears that the field conditions after three days of T-Swift concerts would not be fitting for a World Cup Qualifying match. Second, Uruguay handed Argentina it’s first loss since lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar. (insert T-Swift song pun here)

Giveaway: We like to reward our supporters, and for our latest giveaway, we’re raffling off a $30 gift card to Miami based soccer jersey store: Golaco Kits. Every time you refer a new reader, you get an entry to the raffle, share us on your Instagram stories for some extra credit too 😉😉

International Matches
A Wild Night in the Americas

celebrate colombia football GIF by Caracol Television

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🌎⚽ 3-0 but not exactly crushing it. Let’s be real, we’re not exactly in the business of sugar coating things. Trinidad and Tobago were handed a red card at the 37th minute of the game, and it took the USMNT until the 82nd minute to take the lead thanks to Ricardo Pepi. Thankfully the folks in Austin got to see their team score three goals in a span of 7 minutes, but the struggles we saw from the USMNT were worrisome for a team aspiring to play in the Copa America next year against some South American heavyweights. They’re half way there for qualifying to Copa America, with the second leg of this matchup taking place on Monday. Check out the highlights here.

🦸🥇 2 goals have never meant so much. For those of you who have not been following the story, Luis Diaz’s parents were kidnapped in Colombia in October. His Mother was released shortly after but his Father was only released last week. Last night, Colombia hosted Brazil in a world cup qualifier match, and just like those picture perfect Disney movies, Luis Diaz ties the game in the 75th minute, and 4 minutes later scores the game winner, all while his father watched from the stands. These are the stories why we love this sport. Check out the highlights here.

Up and coming Talent
ESPN’s Brazil’s Top 21 Under 21 List

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🌎🕺 "Joga Bonito". To play beautifully. Throughout the years, the nation of Brazil has gifted the soccer world with legends of the game that play with style and joy. Big clubs are always hoping to land the next Brazilian star and so they keep a close eye on the young players making noise in the Brazilian national league. Thankfully for everyone, the fine folks made a list of the top 21 Brazilian players that are under 21 years old and are currently playing locally in Brazil. Let’s take a look at the top 3.

1️⃣ Endrick playing for Palmeiras. Real Madrid already have an agreement with this young talent, and for a hefty price tag of $72M, he will officially be a Real Madrid player starting next year. He also recently got the call to play for the Men’s national team for the first time, being one of the youngest players to get that honor. Check out his highlights here.

2️⃣ Vitor Roque playing for Athletico Paranaense. Vitor is on his way to FC Barcelona, perhaps even as early as the January transfer window. ESPN puts his transfer value at a rough estimate of $40M. He is a strong and fast center forward that slightly resembles the movements of Adriano. Check out his highlights here.

3️⃣ Marcos Leonardo playing for Santos. The 20 year old striker is valued at $17M and is being linked to big clubs as we approach the January transfer window. Roma attempted to sign the Brazilian over the summer, but negotiations eventually fell through and now he has been linked to Real Madrid and Newcastle as well— gotta love the transfer rumor mill. Check out his highlights here.

Check out the full list of Brazil’s top 21 under 21.

U.S. Youth Development
AC Milan Academy Virginia

AC Milan Website

🚀💥⚽ The Big Italian Launch. AC Milan, a renowned Italian football club, has announced an exciting expansion into the United States with the launch of its first academy in the country. AC Milan Academy Virginia is set to officially open in the spring of 2024. This initiative marks a significant step in the club's international development strategy, particularly in North America.

📍🌍🤝 Location & Partnership. The academy will be located in Fairfax, Virginia, and will also encompass the broader Washington Metropolitan Area, including the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. This strategic location positions the academy in a region with a growing interest in soccer and a diverse population. The establishment of the academy is a result of a partnership between AC Milan and Black&Red Pumas LLC, a collaboration that underscores the importance of local partnerships in international sports ventures.

🌟🔜📈 Bright Future Ahead. A notable aspect of the AC Milan Academy Virginia is its focus on youth development. The training program is designed to involve boys and girls aged 5 to 17, providing them with an elite level of soccer education. The launch of AC Milan’s domestic academy is a milestone in the club's history and a promising development for soccer in the United States. It demonstrates AC Milan's commitment to expanding its global footprint and contributing to the growth of the sport at the youth level. This initiative is expected to foster talent development and increase the popularity of soccer in the region.