The Lord of the Rings Hero Who Loved Soccer

Renowned American actor Viggo Mortensen made his name playing Aragorn in the LOTR films. But he's also a cult hero for Argentine soccer club San Lorenzo. To celebrate Mortensen’s 67th birthday, we take a look back at his incredible story with the beautiful game — one that even led him to be pulled in for questioning at Dulles Airport a few years ago. Plus, we attend Zohran Mamdani’s soccer tournament in collaboration with NYC Footy, examine a shocking official recommendation for college soccer in the future, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🏆 Zohran Mamdani x NYC Footy Tournament

• 🤨 Pro/Rel Coming to College Soccer?

• 💍 The Lord of the Rings Hero Who Loved Soccer

• 🥄 Golden Boot and Wooden Spoon

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

GRASSROOTS
Zohran Mamdani x NYC Footy Tournament

It may well be the first time a politician has hosted his own open soccer tournament.

The New York City mayoral candidate and avid soccer fan Zohran Mamdani has been playing in the NYC Footy leagues for more than a decade, and over the weekend, he partnered with the organization to host the “Cost of Living Classic.”

It felt like a pretty historic occasion, and we had the chance to attend and cover all the festivities on the pitch and in the stands.

It was a blast to catch up with many friends in the New York area and see so many players and spectators enjoy the tournament at the iconic Maimonides Park.

Here’s how the day looked, through the lens of the great Kyros Morales.

POLICY
Pro/Rel Coming to College Soccer?

We’re truly living through the Wild West.

U.S. Soccer seems to have huge plans to shake up the fabric of the sport on our shores.

Among their most notable goals and recommendations for the NCAA: introducing pro/rel at the college soccer level.

COVER STORY
The Lord of the Rings Hero Who Loved Soccer

Yesterday was Viggo Mortensen’s 67th birthday, and I couldn’t help but think of his incredible story with the beautiful game. One that I first heard as a kid from one of my aunts who lived in Argentina back in the day.

In my mind, I only knew Viggo as the talented actor behind Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, but I had no idea he’d somehow managed to become a hero and loyal ambassador for Argentine club San Lorenzo in the 2000s.

Even though he was born in the US, Mortensen spent much of his childhood in Argentina, where his father managed poultry farms and ranches.

There, Viggo fell madly in love with local side San Lorenzo, and it’s a love he’s kept and proudly displayed throughout his acting career.

While filming The Lord of the Rings, Mortensen used to wear the club’s jersey under his armor, and he even donned the San Lorenzo crest on his waistcoat at the Oscars.

If you dig online, you’re sure to find plenty more examples of Mortensen showing his affinity for San Lorenzo throughout the years. I mean, all his genuine signs of affection even earned him an appointment as official club ambassador in 2008. But hands down, one of my favorite stories with Mortensen and the team comes from 2012.

That year, San Lorenzo was involved in a heated relegation battle, and Mortensen was watching a crucial match on his laptop at Dulles Airport in Washington, DC, before a flight.

“I screamed GOAAAAAAL with all my soul, and started jumping around the place like a frightened deer among the passengers and their suitcases,” Mortensen recalls.

In the dying minutes of the match, two policemen grabbed Mortensen and dragged him away from the computer, asking him what was wrong. They asked for his documents, questioned him, and, worse, kept him away from checking the score. Thankfully, he was able to return to his laptop for the final seconds of the game.

“The match ends and I want to scream for victory, but I know that’s not a good idea right now with these guys searching me,” remembers Mortensen. “Finally, they let me go and warned me that if I start screaming again, I won’t be allowed to board and they’ll kick me out of the airport.”

What a legend. Glad to see a Hollywood actor embody most of us soccer fans. After all, who hasn’t been caught screaming at a match in an “inappropriate” setting?

AWARDS
Golden Boot and Wooden Spoon

Two of my favorite awards in MLS: the Golden Boot and the Wooden Spoon.

Messi took the much-coveted trophy for top goalscorer this season with 29 goals to his name. In total, he had 48 goal contributions!

As for the Wooden Spoon (the award for worst point tally in the league), the result really hurt. My favorite team in MLS breaking my heart yet again. The golden years shall return… someday…

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Is it a good idea? Let us know your thoughts! We’ll highlight your best answers next week.

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Playoff Bound: They did it. Portland Hearts of Pine booked their ticket to the postseason. Can you imagine the scenes if they clinch a home playoff game? A man can dream.

The Body is a Temple: Everyone’s favorite soccer journalist just got the greatest tattoo of all time. 

Stadium Galore: This week I learned there used to be a team called the Reno Rattlers. Simply awesome. Anyways, here are some cool renderings of the new stadium set to be built for the new USL team out in Nevada!

Pink Game: It was a special one over in Brooklyn. Here’s how Saturday’s Pink Game went!

Far Out FC Pullover: Our good friends out in North Dakota are dropping some new merch tomorrow. Check it out HERE. 

CULTURE
Christen Press’ Final Bow

One of the greatest forwards in US Soccer history is hanging up her boots 😔

But I suppose it’s the perfect excuse to look back at some of the best moments in her decorated career. Can’t wait to see what Press does next!

(Also, a huge shoutout to Georgia Soares for the incredible photo above from a few years back. It flashed through my mind as soon as I saw the retirement announcement.)

BUSINESS
Jimmy Butler Buys Into Soccer

Jimmy Buckets knows a slam dunk when he sees one.

On Monday, San Diego Wave announced that the NBA star will be joining the club as a minority investor.

Seems like Butler has been taking notes from Magic Johnson, who became a member of the Washington Spirit ownership group last year.

Love these sports crossovers.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Would you like to see Neymar reunite with Messi and Suarez in Miami? Here are some of your answers:

• “No. Tired of the Messi and friends narrative.” - ML

• “No. Let the past be the past. Plus Neymar is in awful form down in Brazil.” - BD

• “Yes. I need it.” - Ben

In the poll, “No” won with an overwhelming 80% of the vote.

UP NEXT
Where Should We Go?

Hypothetically, if we were to visit San Diego, what soccer things do you recommend we do while we’re in town?

If you have any suggestions, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line via email or DM on Instagram. It’s a city I would love to visit for a game, especially now that SDFC clinched the top spot in the West.

Enjoying This?

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo