How Soccer Set Dr. Seuss Free

Before writing The Cat in the Hat, the most famous children's author of all time had a moving experience with the beautiful game. This week, we dive into how soccer helped shape Dr. Seuss’ writing career. Plus, we examine a new kit designed by Tim Weah, unearth a forgotten Cruyff gem from 1980, look into the beef between Chappell Roan and Jorginho, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🎥 Looking for Soccer Fans for a Video Campaign

• 🏆 Unearthing the 1980 NASL Goal of the Year

• 🎩 How Soccer Set Dr. Seuss Free

• 🤝 Joining the adidas Fútbol Society

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for Soccer Fans for a Video Campaign

We’re looking for soccer fans in the US from Spain or Canada (or who have lived in Spain or Canada) for a global filmed campaign.

If selected, you’ll be featured, and get $5,000 + travel & accommodations.

We’d love to hear how soccer has shaped your life or inspired you to give back to your community!

APPLY HERE.

Don’t have a Spanish or Canadian background? Apply anyway! We’re always looking for other fan stories in the US tied to the rest of the world.

OUR HISTORY
Unearthing the 1980 NASL Goal of the Year

Ten years ago today, the world lost the legendary Johan Cruyff.

It’s really special to know that a player of that caliber played on our shores and also left his mark with some dazzling performances.

In honor of one of the best players to ever kick a ball, here is his brilliant goal that earned him the 1980 NASL Goal of the Year award. Simply magnificent.

COVER STORY
How Soccer Set Dr. Seuss Free

Earlier this month was Dr. Seuss’s birthday, as well as the anniversary of the release of The Cat in the Hat.

That was one of the very first books I ever read in English, so it holds a special place in my heart. And to mark this anniversary, I wanted to see if Dr. Seuss had any connections to soccer in his life.

What I found really surprised me.

Turns out that back when he was a teenager, Dr. Seuss (then known as Theodor Geisel) was the manager of his high school soccer team! And it may have impacted his career as a writer/artist more than people might know.

Because in school, before becoming the manager of the soccer team, young Dr. Seuss was taking an art class under a teacher who stifled his creativity, scolding him for not following instructions and taking an unconventional approach to drawing.

This is what Dr. Seuss had to say about that period of his life:

“My teacher kept fluttering about and giving me hell for turning my drawing board around and working on my picture upside down. ‘No, Theodor,’ she said, ‘Not upside down! There are rules that every artist must abide by. You will never succeed if you break them.’”

At the end of the class period, Dr. Seuss transferred out of that art class and signed up to become the manager of the high school soccer team. And years later, he left a revealing quote about how that switch to soccer impacted him.

"We lost every game, but I was forever free from art-by-the rule book, so I considered it a successful season.”

It can’t be a coincidence that young Dr. Seuss gravitated to the most creative of sports at a time when he was yearning for creative freedom.

Even if only briefly, it’s quite beautiful that soccer was present in one of the most impactful moments of Dr. Seuss’ life and career, when he discovered he didn’t have to abide by conventional rules about art or expressing oneself.

Bless the power of soccer 🙏 

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

And do you have any recommendations for what people should try at your favorite one? We’ll highlight your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Joining the adidas Fútbol Society!

Somehow, these two photos—from Vermont and Los Angeles, respectively—were taken less than 24 hours apart 😅.

We’re super excited to have been tapped by adidas to officially join the adidas Fútbol Society, and we look forward to using this opportunity as a way to bring more grassroots stories to life, collaborate with some amazing partners, and undertake new adventures with our soccer bus!

Here’s the story of our mini Odyssey documenting one of the coldest Open Cup games ever up in Vermont, to making the launch dinner of the adidas Fútbol Society club down in Los Angeles… in under 24 hours.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

The Graduate: Super awesome to see this former AC Milan (and Orlando City) player finish a special course at Harvard Business School!

Cupset Galore: I don’t think I’ve ever been happier with a “cupset” than with the one our friends in North Carolina pulled off last week. Huge congratulations!

Watch Party: If you’re looking for somewhere to watch the Brazil vs France friendly this week, check out this event. Should be a fun one…

NWSL Atlanta Development: Fantastic news for the NWSL Atlanta expansion team. They’re moving quickly with their plans.

European Soccer Holiday: With the end of the European season on the horizon, you may be thinking of making a trip across the pond. If so, make sure to use our code CTCLUB11 with Champions Travel to receive 10% off all football packages! (Valid until March 31st, cap of €50 per person, can be used once per person.)

CULTURE
Chappell Roan vs Jorginho

Probably one of the most insane music/soccer crossovers of all time.

Over the weekend, Jorginho posted an Instagram story alleging that Chappell Roan’s bodyguard spoke to his wife and 11-year-old daughter in an “extremely aggressive manner” at a hotel in Brazil, sparking a wave of backlash for the American pop artist.

Catch up here.

FASHION
Tim Weah Designs a Kit

Pretty cool news coming out of New York!

The first New Balance x Brooklyn FC kits were developed alongside USMNT star and club investor Tim Weah, putting a fresh spin on the club’s classic pinstripes.

Here’s what Tim had to say:

“This club is real. It’s not trying to play a part. The pinstripes nod to what people already connect with Brooklyn FC, and the architectural detail reflects some of the everyday visuals seen in Brooklyn. I wanted it to feel sharp, modern and true to the borough.”

Check out the kits here.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: What do you think of the USMNT World Cup kits? Here are some of your answers:

• “The striped kit is a perfect blend of the classic ‘94 design and the iconic Waldo look.” - Paul F.

• “I think they could have been a bit better. Definitely not the best ones in USMNT history, especially the away kit.” - Dario

In the poll, “I like them” won with 46.7% of the vote, while “I love them” followed with 33%. It seems like there’s been an overwhelmingly positive reaction to this drop, and I gotta say I really like both the home and away. Gotta get my hands on them now!

UP NEXT
The Wild West

We had a fantastic time hanging out with old and new friends out in LA! Now, I’m currently writing this from San Francisco, where we’ll be for the next few days.

Still not entirely sure where we’ll be this weekend, but we’ll figure it out!

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