The Pro Soccer Player Who Became an Astronaut

He might just be the most interesting man in the world. How did this NASL star from the ‘70s end up logging 120 hours in space? This week, we look back at the incredible life of Sonny Carter, the American soccer player who, incredibly, became a NASA astronaut. Plus, we unveil our biggest event to date with the soccer bus, celebrate a special moment for the USWNT 85ers, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• 🗽 The Soccer Bus Coming to NY!

• 🇺🇸 Remembering the 85ers

• 👨‍🚀 The Pro Soccer Player Who Became an Astronaut

• ⚔️ Donovan vs Pulisic

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

CLUBELEVEN
The Soccer Bus Coming to New York!

We’re bringing our soccer bus to the big city for an unforgettable start to the summer. It’ll be our first stop in the Northeast, and we’ve got some fun things planned in the weeks ahead!

On July 12th, we’re proud to announce we’ll be joining Pablo’s Mate and NYC Footy in hosting a very special all-day event at McCarren Park in Brooklyn. 

Bodegas, delis, and corner stores are the beating heart of NYC, and we’re celebrating those legends who keep them running with the Chopped Cheese Classic: a 5-borough soccer showdown for bodega owners, workers, and friends. 

But that’s only the start. After the tournament in the morning, join us as we shut down Richardson Street near the park to host an open block party for the whole community. Come check out the bus, grab a bite to eat, dance to some great music, and share a fun afternoon with the NYC soccer community on the eve of the Club World Cup Final.  

And this Saturday (6/14), to kick off our time in the Big Apple, we’ll be taking the bus to Sofive Brooklyn as part of this year’s Unity Cup, in collaboration with the US Soccer Foundation.

Wherever else we’ll be in NY/NJ is anyone’s guess… but the incredible announcement poster by Rowan Rathbun is a good place to start. More info on specific events coming soon!

OUR HISTORY
Remembering the 85ers

In 1985, seventeen women came together to form the first-ever U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. There were no sponsors. No fanfare. No playbook. But what they created became the foundation for the most dominant program in international soccer history.

A few months back, when we were in North Carolina during the First Round of the Open Cup, we were lucky enough to catch up with Stacey Enos, one of the 85ers and now owner of Asheville SC.

Stacey was kind enough to tell us a few stories from that time and what it meant to be on that very first USWNT squad. Now, we can’t wait to hear more from her and all the other trailblazers on that team as they revisit their soccer journeys and come together to build a new athlete-owned brand. Stay tuned. 

COVER STORY
The Pro Soccer Player Who Became an Astronaut

Sonny Carter is one of the most successful American soccer players of all time. Not necessarily because of what he achieved on the field, but just by the sheer magnitude of everything he accomplished in his life.

In 1970, after a stellar college soccer career, he became the first American-born player to sign for the Atlanta Chiefs of the NASL. He remained with the team until 1972, and during his time at the club, he helped the Chiefs reach the league final in 1971.

The most impressive part of it all is that he was able to do all of this while attending medical school. I can’t even imagine the sheer discipline and mental aptitude it must take to balance both of those careers. But Sonny didn’t stop there.

After graduating from medical school (and stepping away from playing professional soccer), he entered the US Navy, completed flight surgeon training, served on multiple tours, later became a fighter pilot, and in 1984, NASA selected him to be an astronaut.

On November 22, 1989, Sonny embarked on his first mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During his five-day mission, he completed 79 orbits of the Earth and logged 120 hours in space. I will go out on a limb and say that this makes him the professional soccer player with the most time spent in space, ever.

Tragically, Sonny Carter died in a commercial plane crash on April 5, 1991, while on NASA business travel, cutting short a truly remarkable life.

The pipeline of professional soccer player to physician to astronaut—however unlikely—is just one of those things that could only be possible within the American soccer world… and Sonny incredibly proved that it could be done, serving as inspiration for future generations of players to continue to redefine what it means to be successful both on and off the pitch.

CULTURE
Donovan vs Pulisic

Just when it seemed like the world had moved on from Pulisic sitting out the Gold Cup, things took a sour turn over the weekend.

Following Portugal’s Nations League victory (in part thanks to a 40-year-old Ronaldo leaving it all on the line), Landon Donovan had some strong words seemingly aimed at Pulisic.

The next day, Pulisic’s dad added more fuel to the fire by appearing to respond with a not-so-subtle jab at Donovan via an Instagram post, which Pulisic subsequently liked.

Here’s everything that’s been said in this spat. Hope everyone can just bury the hatchet.

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

I discussed this with someone earlier this week, and it piqued my curiosity. Who do you think will do better amongst our MLS reps at the Club World Cup? And why? We’ll highlight your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Burrito Supreme: The soccer world’s most famous burrito restaurant won the Steinbrecher Cup this past weekend, crowning them as the best amateur soccer team in the entire United States. Here’s how it looked. 

Worth A Million: A squad full of MASL players just won TST, the million-dollar tournament. And what a goal by Charlie “Golazo” Gonzalez to grab the victory.

Rejected: Tough news for Greenland. Concacaf voted unanimously to decline their membership application.

Q: Apparently, this past weekend was the first time we had a player on the USMNT whose name starts with the letter Q. Now there’s only one letter left that hasn’t been represented. Can you guess which one it is?

Baby Come Back: A toddler hopped the boards at Audi Field and interrupted the DC United vs Chicago Fire match. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to stop an embarrassing result for my Black-and-Red.

TELEVISION
Super League Inaugural Final

It feels like just yesterday, the USL Super League was being announced. Now, here we are, just a few days away from its first-ever final.

This Saturday at 7:30 pm EST, the Tampa Bay Sun will host Fort Lauderdale United in this inaugural championship game.

If you’re in Florida, it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities you can’t let pass by. Imagine the bragging rights, decades from now, when you can say you went to this D1 league’s first-ever final. I’m already jealous of everyone who’ll get to be there.

FASHION
Goss Wine Club

A toast to the beautiful game: Goss Wine Club celebrates the special moments in futbol that bring all of us together.

For our friends over at Gossamr, watching games at home as kids evolved to visiting stadiums and hosting viewing events with friends. The settings and their choice of beverage changed, but their love for the game remained the same. Players, coaches, and fans uniting over a common passion.

No matter how you choose to experience the game, everyone is welcome, and it’s a spirit that they’ve translated into their latest capsule.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Do you think Ronaldo will come to MLS? Here are some of your answers:

• “No. He doesn't need to prove anything and does not need any money. If he wanted to come to MLS, he would have done so a few years ago. ”- Nap B.

• “Yes, he will come. A man can dream.” - Ben

• “No, he won’t come. 0% chance.” - G.S.

In the poll, “No, he won’t come” finished first with 68% of the vote, while “Yes, he will come” earned 32% of the vote.

It was a pretty decisive margin in the poll, and it seems a good majority of you were right. All signs point to Ronaldo renewing his contract at Al-Nassr. I just wanted one last dance!

UP NEXT
Long Drive Ahead + CWC

We’re currently in the process of getting the bus up to New York from Orlando, and it’s been some long hours of driving for a few of us. We’re halfway there, though!

Also, the Club World Cup starts on Saturday, and we’ll be getting right into the action of this tournament throughout this month. You can follow along with our bus journey and overall coverage of everything happening this summer right 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