Breaking a Soccer Record From the Top of the Empire State Building

In 1979, an American player attempted one of the craziest stunts in soccer history, from the observation deck of this iconic NYC landmark. This week, we dive into the story of the legendary Tom Mulroy and his shot at breaking an impressive world record. Plus, we examine one of the most innovative ways to get to a World Cup stadium, revisit Hugo Sanchez’s time with the San Diego Sockers, look into the Vancouver Whitecaps’ potential move to Las Vegas, and more.

This week’s stories:

• 🇲🇽 Hugo Sanchez at the San Diego Sockers

• 🚌 Bussing with the Tartan Army

• 🌃 Breaking a Soccer Record From the Top of the Empire State Building

• 🫣 Vancouver Whitecaps Relocating to Las Vegas?

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
Hugo Sanchez at the San Diego Sockers

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, it feels like the perfect time to look back at one of El Tri’s greatest players and a lesser-known chapter of his journey in the original NASL.

See, just as his career was taking off in Mexico with Pumas UNAM, the great Hugo Sánchez would spend his offseasons in the NASL, suiting up for the San Diego Sockers.

His time in the NASL was electric—22 goal contributions in just 19 games—offering a glimpse of the brilliance that would soon light up Spain with Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid.

Interestingly enough, Hugo Sanchez is also one of the only two players in history to have played in both the original NASL and MLS. Just check out this signature bicycle kick goal for the Dallas Burn in 1996!

An absolute legend of the game and one of the greatest strikers ever 🔥

TRANSPORTATION
Bussing with the Tartan Army

This may just be one of the cleverest solutions to the problem of how to get to World Cup stadiums… and we’re not just saying that ‘cause we’re big fans of repurposing school buses for soccer reasons.

Faced with the high cost of getting to Boston Stadium for the World Cup, Scottish fans decided to hire “every single yellow school bus” available in the area to cart them to Foxboro for the tournament.

Read the crazy story here.

COVER STORY
Breaking a Soccer Record From the Top of the Empire State Building

A few days ago marked the 95th anniversary of when the Empire State Building first opened its doors (May 1, 1931).

Since then, it has, of course, become an iconic New York City landmark, and this special anniversary sent me down a rabbit hole trying to see if there were any cool soccer connections associated with it.

Much to my surprise, there was one that absolutely blew my mind.

Turns out that in 1979, American soccer player Tommy Mulroy did something unthinkable.

Mulroy, a complete soccer sicko who played in the NASL, MISL, USL, and the AISA, had always been a true showman and promoter of the beautiful game at a time when our country needed it most.

And on this occasion, he’d set himself the challenge of breaking the world juggling record in style, climbing to the 86th floor observation deck of the Empire State
Building to attempt this crazy feat.

After several hours on top of the building, Mulroy ended up tallying 12,295 juggles, enough to break the record at the time and become a certified Guinness World Record holder. Unreal.

So, next time you’re in New York and look up to the Empire State Building, make sure to give a little nod to the American soccer legend who conquered the NYC skyline with some serious tekkers.

BUSINESS
Vancouver Whitecaps Relocating to Las Vegas?

This one hurt.

Late last week, it was reported that an investment group made a formal offer to acquire the Vancouver Whitecaps and relocate the team to Las Vegas.

All of it came after an announcement from the club revealed that for the past 16 months, they’ve been having conversations with more than 100 parties to keep the team in the city, but unfortunately, “no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here [Vancouver].”

Still, supporters in Vancouver are holding out hope that they can save their beloved MLS team. Here’s how you can support.

This one feels like an inflection point for the league. What do you think will happen? 👇

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know your thoughts—we’ll feature your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Craft: One of the coolest pieces of soccer art we’ve ever seen!

Gotta Do What You Gotta Do: Honestly, so clever from this player. He plugged his real estate business after scoring a goal…

Expansion: Last week, a leading global investment firm announced a strategic investment to accelerate the growth of MLS NEXT Pro. Here’s what that’ll mean for the sport…

Playing Soccer Inside an Art Gallery: This was a dream come true! Check out how we made it happen with Guerrilla FC and Nicolas Polo over in DC.

Insane Comeback: What a derby. The ending to the Inter Miami vs Orlando City game at Nu Stadium was spectacular. Check it out.

NWSL
Start of a Winning Legacy

Good things come to those who wait…

The Boston Legacy were finally able to record their first win in club history! And they did so in dramatic fashion after coming back from 1-2 down in the final minutes of their match against the Denver Summit.

Check out the insane comeback here. It’s one of the wildest finishes to a game you’ll ever see.

LABOR
USL & Players Association Reach Agreement

The USL and the USL Players Association have reportedly reached a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The two sides have been in negotiations since August 2024, with over 60 bargaining sessions taking place.

The parties are said to have found common ground on several key issues, such as minimum compensation, health insurance, and group licensing. The new agreement is set to last through 2030, with a trigger related to health insurance that could extend it through 2031.

Here are all the details.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Is USA vs Mexico a top international rivalry? Here are some of your answers:

• “Yes, even though it may not be as flashy as Brazil-Argentina, it’s the top rivalry in its confederation so yes.” - JM

• "No, it just doesn’t have the quality yet but maybe in the future. It is also historically one-sided.” - BD

The poll results came in at 65% for “Yes” and 35% for “No.” In my opinion, it is a top international rivalry, although I fully admit I’m incredibly biased.

UP NEXT
Out and About

It’s been a lot of fun running around the West Coast for a special project related to the World Cup, and we’ll be headed over to a few other cities on the East Coast next.

More pressingly, though, we’ll be announcing a dream collaboration later this week! Keep an eye out here 👀

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