The First Soccer Ball in the World

Believe it or not, it was invented in America. Back in 1845, a mad scientist created the first modern soccer ball in a small New England factory. This week, we look back at the incredible story of American chemist Charles Goodyear and his invention that changed soccer forever. Plus, we dive into the curious tale of the Washington Warthogs, examine some shocking announcements, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🐗 The Wild Washington Warthogs

• 🏟️ NWSL to Atlanta

• ⚽ The First Soccer Ball in the World

• 🏡 Soccer for the Neighborhood

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
The Wild Washington Warthogs

On a day like today in 1993, the Washington Warthogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) were born, and they had quite a history.

The team was founded by Abe Pollin, owner of the Washington Bullets (NBA) and Capitals (NHL), and the club featured an unexpected cast of players.

Although they participated in a men’s professional league, the Warthogs used a couple of women’s players regularly, such as former NC State player Colette Cunningham and USWNT star Kristine Lilly.

On July 16th, 1994, Cunningham became the first female player to score a point in men’s professional soccer in the U.S., dishing out an assist while on the pitch.

In the case of Lilly, she joined the team the following year and played 3-4 shifts per game for the Warthogs late in the season. Absolute legends, both of them!

EXPANSION
NWSL to Atlanta

Probably the biggest news to come out over the weekend!

The NWSL will reportedly award Atlanta with an expansion team for a league-record fee of $165 million.

This new club, seemingly backed by Arthur Blank (owner of Atlanta United and the Falcons), is expected to begin play sometime after the 2026 season. Keep an eye out for an official announcement, likely coming today.

COVER STORY
The First Soccer Ball in the World

Believe it or not, the first “modern” soccer ball in the world was invented in the United States.

Our story starts in the 1830s with American self-taught chemist, rubber manufacturer, and entrepreneur Charles Goodyear—arguably one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever read about in the history of this country.

In the early 1800s, rubber was seen as a miraculous material, and it took the world by storm. Unfortunately, during the summer months, it would melt into a messy goo, and in the winter, it would harden and break, becoming unusable.

Due to these glaring limitations, the rubber fever that had captivated the world was on the verge of collapse, but Charles Goodyear was obsessed with finding a solution.

This dedicated inventor pretty much put everything on the line. He’d spend countless hours experimenting with different substances and chemicals in his kitchen; he nearly died once from inhaling noxious gases; he repeatedly faced bankruptcy; and he even sold all his (and his family’s) possessions on numerous occasions just to be able to keep up his trials. He was even taken to debtors’ prison multiple times, where he’d constantly ask his wife to bring him supplies so he could continue his experiments in jail.

Then, in 1839, Goodyear finally had a breakthrough when he dropped a combination of rubber and sulfur upon a hot stove during one of his tests. When he realized the rubber didn’t melt, he knew he was onto something. This “happy accident” would lead him to officially develop vulcanized rubber, which is still used in automotive tires, shoe soles, hoses, tubing, and plenty of other common items today.

But Goodyear’s greatest invention wouldn’t come until 1845, when he designed and built soccer balls made of vulcanized rubber (which he soon began selling at his brother-in-law’s store in Manhattan). Until then, balls were made with pig bladders, making their shape more irregular and their flight more unpredictable—a nightmare for dribbling, passing, and shooting.

Goodyear’s invention was key in helping standardize the shape of soccer balls in the 19th century (parameters that have remained largely unchanged) and was also a crucial step in leading us to the ball designs we know today (inner rubber or latex bladder with outer covering). More importantly, it helped make soccer balls easier to control, thus influencing the way the beautiful game was played from the very beginning.

For those reasons, many consider Charles Goodyear the father of modern soccer balls and point to his 1845 invention as an enormous inflection point in the history of the sport. Pure unbridled American ingenuity 🦅 🇺🇸

GRASSROOTS
Soccer for the Neighborhood

Huge development out of the West Coast ☀️

After years of laying the groundwork and building a strong and passionate soccer community over in Oakland, Neighborhood Sports Club finally has a home!

A 5-a-side pitch, café + bar, and retail studio space built to bring people together on and off the field. Construction is underway, their field installs this month, and they’re on track to open in early 2026.

With the World Cup coming next summer, NSC will be a one-of-a-kind activation hub right in a host city. The organization is already planning programming, partnerships, and creative experiences around the world's biggest sporting moment, so if you work at the intersection of sport, culture, and community, you can connect with them here.

Can’t wait to see it completed!

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

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

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Snowy Bike: This one comes from north of the border, but it was so good, we just had to put it in here. Maybe the greatest snow goal of all time.

41 List: We had the absolute honor of being included in Forty-One’s list recognizing 41 individuals, brands, and organizations who are defining what soccer looks, feels, and sounds like across the CONCACAF region. Huge congratulations to all the fellow honorees, and thank you, Forty-One, for this awesome recognition!

Yee-Haw: Get ready to welcome Rodeo Soccer Club to USL League 1. I love the name, honestly.

New Award: FIFA will be giving out a new Global Peace Prize, and there are rumors that Trump might be the first recipient.

The North Carolina Situation: This news absolutely shook the USL world this past week.

BUSINESS
Messi to Return to Barcelona?

Could the GOAT be angling for a loan spell to Barcelona before the World Cup?

Don’t rule it out, especially after the Argentine posted this message on Instagram after making an impromptu stop at the Camp Nou over the weekend.

However unlikely, the MLS offseason does provide a window for the Inter Miami star to seek opportunities to play elsewhere for a few months. It’s doubtful it happens, but you never know…

CULTURE
November Madness

I don’t even know where to begin, but this playoff season has been absolutely unreal.

Just insane scenes out of the USL Championship Conference Semifinals with ridiculous late drama across the board.

And in the NWSL, we had Gotham FC (No. 8) upsetting the Kansas City Current (No. 1), who had managed to set a league record for most points in the regular season. And it was all thanks to an unbelievable 120th-minute winner by Gotham’s Katie Stengel. You just have to see it.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Should coaches use ChatGPT to develop tactics? Here are some of your answers:

• “Yes. Coaches should use any and all tools available to them to increase their team's performance. A good coach will use it to help them get to ideas and solutions faster, but it won't ‘make’ you a good coach if you don't already have the knowledge.” - Paul F.

• “Other. These mind games… coach didn’t use GPT but wants to convince the competitors to use it. GPT will never know the smell of cut grass or the stank of dank shin guards… what does it know about the beautiful game?” - Ben T.

In the poll, “No” barely won with 57% of the vote. It’s not surprising to see the controversy over AI extend to the soccer world, too!

UP NEXT
Keep the Car Running

Back on the road once again! After a short trip up to Maine for their watch party this past weekend, we’re now headed to Pittsburgh, Tulsa, and Knoxville.

If there’s anything soccer-related we should check out in any of those cities, please let us know (via Instagram DM or email). We’d love to cover as much in each place as possible!

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