A Soccer Hall of Famer Fought an Alligator

He helped transform American soccer in the '70s... and once found himself fighting off an alligator in Florida. This week, we look back at the story of the trailblazing Al Miller, one of the most impactful coaches our country has ever had. Plus, we examine some clever Easter eggs hidden in a tifo, check out a Breaking Bad connection to soccer, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 👬 Breaking Bad Twins Love New Mexico United

• 🐦‍⬛ A Raven Celebrates Like Ronaldo

• 🐊 A Soccer Hall of Famer Fought an Alligator

• 🐦‍🔥 Atlanta’s New NWSL Team Name

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Responses

• ➡️ And More

ENTERTAINMENT
Breaking Bad Twins Love New Mexico United

I’m on my fifth rewatch of Breaking Bad, so I was over the moon when I saw the Salamanca twins (aka “The Cousins”) show up to a New Mexico United game over the weekend. And they were up to no good…

But their connection to the beautiful game doesn’t end there. The son of one of the actors is now playing at the collegiate level!

FOOTBALL
A Raven Celebrates Like Ronaldo

When you score a game-winning field goal in Brazil, there’s only one way to celebrate.

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop zipped one through the uprights to beat the Cowboys and then hit CR7’s iconic SIU in front of the entire Maracana.

The crowd in Rio de Janeiro reacted accordingly…

COVER STORY
A Soccer Hall of Famer Fought an Alligator

Justin took me to see some wild alligators after the USMNT friendly down in Florida this weekend, and my mind immediately flashed back to one of the craziest stories I’d heard involving Al Miller, one of the most important soccer coaches in American history.

Believe it or not, Miller’s somehow been involved in many of the stories we’ve told here in the past.

For example, he was the coach who led the Philadelphia Atoms in the nuclear indoor soccer game against the Soviet Union's Red Army team; he coached NFL kicker Chris Bahr from the Bahr family; and he was even coaching the Dallas Tornado when they had monkeys swinging off crossbars in the ‘70s.

By all accounts, Al Miller’s a legend, never mind that he was also the first American coach to ever win an NASL championship and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1995.

Long after racking up many soccer adventures and accolades under his belt, though, Miller ended up making news headlines again in 2012 at the age of 75, when he survived an alligator attack while playing golf with two friends in Florida.

At the time, much of the thrill-seeking media didn’t really mention Miller’s incredible soccer background when they covered the incident, but I suppose it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

What’s important is that Miller is still alive today (aged 89!), and all his insane accomplishments continue to inspire generations today. An absolute legend of the game 🙌

EXPANSION
Atlanta’s New NWSL Team Name

What a way to kick off the week!

On Monday, NWSL expansion club Atlanta City FC unveiled its name and identity, featuring a red and Georgia peach phoenix at the center of its crest.

For all those who love the tiny details behind crests and team identities, check out a great breakdown here!

Oh, and you can also become a founding member of the team!

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know what you’d change and why—we’ll feature your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Pinch Me: Just look at this insane crowd. The largest in NCAA Men’s Soccer this season. We’re gonna be alright…

Messi Wondergoal: I mean, is there anything else left to say? Watch this beauty.

Oysters by the Corner Flag: Something you gotta try at least once!

Debuts Galore: Eleven debuting players against Peru, and a convincing victory over the weekend. Here’s how it all looked on the ground…

USL Cup Final: If there’s one American soccer game you have to watch this weekend, it’s this one. What a matchup we have on our hands.

ART
American Odyssey USMNT Tifo Easter Eggs

If you tuned in to (or attended) the USMNT’s friendly against Peru, chances are you saw this awesome Odyssey-themed tifo to mark the start of the journey toward the 2030 World Cup!

Well, one of the best things about this tifo is that it also comes with some really cool Easter eggs. Can you find them all?

Shoutout to the great Robert Downes (IG: @designedbydownes) for the amazing design and everyone at American Outlaws for the sick execution. We were lucky enough to be at the other end of the stadium when it went up, and we got chills. Super super cool!

COMMUNITY
FootGolf Classic

Don’t miss out!

The Craig Willinger Fund will be hosting the 12th Annual Craig Willinger FootGolf Classic this Saturday, October 3, in Baltimore, MD.

The Craig Willinger Fund, formed in 2009, seeks to improve the lives of children and young adults stricken with cancer by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience world-class soccer—both domestically and abroad.

You can still sign up to play and support right here!

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Who is your current favorite player on the USMNT? Here are some of your answers:

• “Justin Ellis.” - Leo C.

• “Diamond's little brother!!” - Meghan M.

• “Sebastian Berhalter” - N/A

• “Alex Freeman.” - Mark L.

The poll results came in at 33% for “Weston McKennie,” who took the top spot, while Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams all followed closely.

I’m a big Chris Richards guy, but I gotta give a massive shoutout to Leo for having Justin Ellis as his favorite and then Ellis scoring five minutes into his debut. Absolute visionary!

TRAVEL
Catch a Game in Europe ✈️

As we kick off the 2026/27 European season, we’re proud to announce we’ll be teaming up with Champions Travel once again, this time as our official European Ticketing Partner to help us with our storytelling efforts across the pond!

And if you’re looking to go on a European adventure of your own this season, make sure to use our code CTCLUB11 with Champions Travel to receive 10% off all football packages! (cap of €50 per person, can be used once per person.)

UP NEXT
Back From Orlando

Couldn’t have asked for a better birthday weekend! Aside from the USMNT friendly, it was really fun to check out some alligators at Lake Apopka in Orlando and visit Universal with some of the CLUBELEVEN team plus friends from Peru!

And one fun fact I learned over the weekend is that scientific studies show that the linear and rotational head accelerations produced by riding a roller coaster are similar to the well-tolerated head motions experienced when heading a soccer ball.

Somehow that gave me enough courage to get on the rides at Universal, and I figured it was worth sharing here too.

Onwards!!

Enjoying This?

Make sure to forward this email to a friend and help us spread the soccer gospel far and wide! We’ll see you next week with even more untold stories of soccer.

Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo