Local Soccer Teams Aim to Harness World Cup Excitement
WHO:
Newsday - Local pro soccer teams include Major League Soccer’s NYCFC, the Red Bulls, and MLS Next Pro’s The Island FC.
Newsday - Red Bulls chief marketing officer Katie Nahoum and NYCFC vice president of marketing Lauren Scrima are quoted.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Nico Bustos is a player on the Abington Heights boys soccer team.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Collen Pivirotto is the head coach of the University of Scranton women’s soccer team.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Jack Nolan is a varsity soccer coach in Wilkes-Barre.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Frank Dyska is a high school soccer coach.
WHAT:
Newsday - The World Cup final features Argentina against Spain, with the match concluding at MetLife Stadium.
NPR - Major League Soccer's marketing campaign titled "Thanks World, We'll Take It From Here" includes a star-studded commercial featuring Lionel Messi.
NPR - Messi has scored eight goals in the World Cup and is in second place for the Golden Boot race, behind France's Kylian Mbappé, who has ten goals.
Newsday - The Island FC hosted three watch parties in partnership with Nassau County, each attended by thousands of fans.
Newsday - The Red Bulls hosted FIFA’s official New Jersey fan hub, which included more than 20 days of events with tens of thousands of attendees, and 65% of attendees were new to the club.
Scranton Times-Tribune - The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to conclude with a championship game at MetLife Stadium.
Newsday - The World Cup final features Argentina against Spain, with the match concluding at MetLife Stadium.
NPR - An estimated 60,000 people or more attended a watch party in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood for the World Cup.
NPR - The Chicago Fire invested just under $3 million to enhance their watch party space at a bar called Recess.
Newsday - The Island FC hosted three watch parties in partnership with Nassau County, each attended by thousands of fans.
Newsday - NYCFC's "First Match On Us" initiative offers two tickets to fans not in their email database.
Newsday - The Red Bulls have given away more than 5,000 tickets to new fans.
Newsday - The World Cup final features Argentina against Spain, with the match concluding at MetLife Stadium.
NPR - An estimated 60,000 people or more attended a watch party in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood for the World Cup.
NPR - The Chicago Fire invested just under $3 million to enhance their watch party space at a bar called Recess.
NPR - Major League Soccer's marketing campaign titled "Thanks World, We'll Take It From Here" includes a star-studded commercial featuring Lionel Messi.
NPR - Messi has scored eight goals in the World Cup and is in second place for the Golden Boot race, behind France's Kylian Mbappé, who has ten goals.
Newsday - The World Cup final features Argentina against Spain, with the match concluding at MetLife Stadium.
Newsday - The Red Bulls hosted FIFA’s official New Jersey fan hub, which included more than 20 days of events with tens of thousands of attendees, and 65% of attendees were new to the club.
Newsday - NYCFC focused on three pillars to build on the World Cup’s success: leveraging players who participated in the World Cup, tapping into cultural moments in the city, and community engagement through their organization, City in the Community.
Newsday - The Island FC will debut in a new modular stadium at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale in early 2027.
Newsday - The U.S. men’s soccer team lost 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Newsday - The World Cup final features Argentina against Spain.
Newsday - NYCFC and the Red Bulls will play their first home games since May on July 25.
Newsday - The Red Bulls hosted FIFA’s official New Jersey fan hub with over 20 days of events and tens of thousands of attendees.
Newsday - NYCFC had a presence at FIFA’s official Queens group stage HQ.
Newsday - NYCFC’s “First Match On Us” initiative offers free tickets to first-time fans.
Newsday - The Red Bulls have given away more than 5,000 tickets to new fans.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Nico Bustos scored a goal in the Abington Heights boys soccer team’s 2-0 victory in the PIAA Class 3A championship.
Scranton Times-Tribune - The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to conclude with a championship game at MetLife Stadium.
WHERE:
Newsday - The World Cup final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Newsday - NYCFC’s future home stadium is Etihad Park, located next to Citi Field.
Scranton Times-Tribune - The Abington Heights boys soccer team is based in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Wilkes-Barre is the location of Jack Nolan's coaching.
WHEN:
Newsday - NYCFC’s new stadium, Etihad Park, will open in July 2027.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Mandatory practices for Jack Nolan's team start on August 17.
Scranton Times-Tribune - The regular season for Nolan's team opens against West Scranton at 11 a.m. on August 28.
Newsday - The World Cup final is scheduled for a Sunday.
Newsday - NYCFC’s new stadium, Etihad Park, will open in July 2027.
Newsday - The Red Bulls will play their first home game on July 25.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Mandatory practices for Jack Nolan's team start on August 17.
Scranton Times-Tribune - The regular season for Nolan's team opens against West Scranton at 11 a.m. on August 28.
WHY:
Newsday - Local pro teams aim to maintain soccer's momentum following the World Cup.
Newsday - The World Cup has provided an opportunity for local clubs to expand their fan bases.
Scranton Times-Tribune - The World Cup has spurred interest and excitement in soccer among families and children.
HOW:
NPR - MLS is running a promotion called "First Match on Us" or "Next Match On Us," providing free tickets for first-time attendees at 22 clubs.
NPR - MLS worked to ensure that each World Cup team chose a base camp in North America to stay and train between games, with many choosing MLS facilities.
Newsday - NYCFC and the Red Bulls are part of the league’s “First Match On Us” initiative, which provides free tickets to first-time fans, with NYCFC offering two tickets to fans not in their email database.
Newsday - NYCFC and the Red Bulls are implementing initiatives to build their fan bases.
Newsday - The Red Bulls hosted events at FIFA’s official New Jersey fan hub to engage fans.
Newsday - NYCFC is focusing on content related to players who participated in the World Cup.
Scranton Times-Tribune - Local soccer leagues are facilitating interest in the sport among children.
The World Cup final will feature Argentina facing off against Spain at MetLife Stadium, a highly anticipated match that promises to be thrilling. In the lead-up to the event, Major League Soccer has launched a marketing campaign called "Thanks World, We'll Take It From Here," which includes a commercial starring Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament and is currently in second place for the Golden Boot behind Kylian Mbappé. Looking ahead, NYCFC's new stadium, Etihad Park, is set to open in July 2027, while Jack Nolan's team will kick off mandatory practices on August 17, with their regular season opener against West Scranton scheduled for 11 a.m. on August 28.