The Curious Thanksgiving Soccer Game of 1886

In one of the world's first-ever international friendlies, an enormous Thanksgiving feast ended up affecting the result. This week, we look back at the incredible story of the USA vs Canada Thanksgiving game of 1886. Plus, we remember when Maradona faced the Cosmos, share a pint with a Newcastle legend in Chicago, and more!

This week’s stories:

• ⭐ When Maradona Faced the Cosmos

• 🍯 The Hudson River Hive Kit

• 🦃 The Curious Thanksgiving Soccer Game of 1886

• 🍻 A Weekend of Soccer in Chicago

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
When Maradona Faced the Cosmos

On a day like today in 2020, Diego Armando Maradona passed away.

It was a death that shook the soccer world to its core, and it’s tough to think that it’s been five years since we all heard the unfortunate news.

On the anniversary of Diego’s passing, it feels fitting to remember a few of the times he played against the legendary NY Cosmos.

In 1979, he did so while representing Argentina in a friendly, in 1980, he did so with Argentinos Juniors, and in 1984, he faced them while wearing Barcelona’s colors.

This last occasion was truly an incredible one. You won’t believe the result.

FASHION
The Hudson River Hive Kit

Speaking of the Cosmos, we’re super excited to share this news with you all…

The Hudson River Hive (the official supporters group of the NY Cosmos) wanted to make something that pays tribute to their local roots, classic soccer heritage, and the legacy of the original Galácticos ahead of the team’s return in 2026, so they’ve just released an incredible kit to mark the occasion.

We’re super proud to get to sponsor this limited edition jersey, and you can grab yours right here!

COVER STORY
The Curious Thanksgiving Soccer Game of 1886

This should be a good one to share around the dinner table on Thursday…

One of my favorite finds over the past couple of years was learning that the first-ever international match between two nations outside of the UK took place in New Jersey in 1885 between the US and Canada. It’s a tale we shared here previously, but there’s a great second chapter to it that I hadn’t heard of until this week.

Turns out that after falling to Canada in this 1885 friendly, we invited them back to Jersey the following year to play a rematch. And well, the chosen date for the contest was none other than Thanksgiving Day 1886—a decision that would ultimately impact the outcome of this much-anticipated game.

The story goes that on the day of the match, there was a huge storm, and the Canadians simply assumed that the game would be called off because of the dreadful weather.

So, in the early afternoon, our Northern neighbors sat around for a proper Thanksgiving feast, stuffing their faces as one normally does. After finishing their meal, the Canadians wandered out to the pitch and found the US team ready to play.

Much to their surprise, the game went on as planned. The Canada team did manage to score the first goal of the contest, but ultimately, the fresher (and probably many pounds lighter) US team turned things around in the second half to win 3-2. I can vividly imagine the Canadians getting stomach cramps after ten minutes of playing on a ridiculously full stomach.

Makes me smile knowing that these types of Thanksgiving kickabouts have been going on for centuries. Just make sure you eat and play responsibly if you step out on a pitch this week 😅

CULTURE
A Weekend of Soccer in Chicago

Never thought we’d get the chance to share a pint of Guinness with Newcastle legend Jonás Gutiérrez at a pub in Chicago, but somehow it happened. 

As we continue our search for the greatest Premier League bar in America, we spent an amazing weekend with Toon Army Chicago at Open Gate Brewery for an unbelievable watch party.

It was an absolute honor to work with Newcastle for this event in the US, and keep an eye out for more of our work with the Magpies coming soon!

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know your plans! We’ll highlight your best answers next week.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Road Warriors: Hats off to the Steel Army. They endured an 18-hour bus ride to Tulsa for the USL Championship Final and were rewarded in the grandest of ways. What a moment.

Geese: This band got a lot of playing time during our road trips this year, and I already know Tyler will be fighting to get his hands on the gorgeous kit they just dropped in collaboration with Icarus.

5x Champs: The US Women’s Deaf National Team are officially Deaflympics Gold Medalists for a record fifth time! And of course, the great Emily Spreeman found herself on the scoresheet to seal the victory. Check out part of their story here.

Guardiola Hates FC Dallas: Kidding, kidding… but maybe? It’s surely the only explanation for why he did this.

Ronaldo Visits the White House: This was not on my bingo card to end the year. Crazy.

RESULTS
Empire State of Mind

Jaedyn Shaw did warn everyone what would happen after getting the underdog label going into the playoffs.

Gotham FC carried that chip on their shoulder, all the way to the chip. In a game defined by fine margins, the world-class pedigree on their roster made the difference.

Mission complete after slaying every single one of the “favorites.” Victory has surely never tasted so sweet…

BUSINESS
Life After Garber?

Word on the street is that MLS owners have formally begun succession planning for Don Garber and other execs.

Could this be a sign that the league is looking to implement more “radical” changes in the coming decade, similar to their calendar change to summer-spring?

Only time will tell. Here is the full story.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Did MLS make the correct decision switching to a summer-to-spring calendar? Here are some of your answers:

• “Yes. Switching the calendar is the first step to align with international windows, maybe become a more attractive market to players around the world and become more serious in general. Good decision.” - BD

• “No. At a certain point, we have to consider that MLS is not near a point where this move will help the league domestically in its appeal to the American audience who will be paying the dollars to keep this league going. Sure, you can talk about that mythical Colorado Rapids fans in Vienna, but will the actual fans in the Denver Metro show up in the snow of February when the team is 2nd bottom?” - Jeremy

In the poll, “Yes” won with 93% of the vote, one of the biggest margins of victory ever. Insane!

UP NEXT
Thanksgiving

The above photo is from around Thanksgiving week in 2022, when a few of us made the drive to a USA-England World Cup watch party on the streets of Philly.

Felt incredibly thankful back then to have been lucky enough to see how much the sport had grown during my life in America. Feeling even more grateful this year!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and make sure to spread fun American soccer stories with your friends and families during this holiday 🫵 ⚽ 🦃

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo