The Soccer Player Who Joined the Blue Man Group

Would you give up a successful soccer career to pursue a ridiculous musical dream? Well, this MLS player did exactly that. This week, we dive into a story too good to be true: the time a New England Revs goalkeeper shocked the league and joined the Blue Man Group. Plus, we examine Chris Richards’ love for Chili’s, look into how to get last-minute World Cup tickets, and more.

This week’s stories:

• 🎤 Selena x Austin FC

• 🌶️ Chris Richards Loves Chili’s

• 😳 The Soccer Player Who Joined the Blue Man Group

• 🎟️ A Night to Celebrate the Open Cup!

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

OUR HISTORY
Selena x Austin FC

On a day like today in 1995, the beloved “Queen of Tejano Music,” Selena Quintanilla-Perez, was tragically shot and killed at age 23.

Her legacy still lives on to this day, even in the world of soccer.

One of our favorite memories from when we visited Q2 Stadium in Austin last fall, was hearing Los Verdes adapt one of Selena’s hits into an infectious chant.

It still gets stuck in my head any time I think about it.

FOOD
Chris Richards Loves Chili’s

What makes us American?

It’s a question with a hundred answers depending on who you ask… but Chris Richards really hit the nail on the head.

According to this USMNT star, Chili’s is what makes us American. 

And honestly, we couldn’t agree more. After all, we make sure to visit one in every city we travel to (not even kidding).

Read this awesome interview with Chris Richards here.

COVER STORY
The Soccer Player Who Joined the Blue Man Group

It’s my favorite week of the year. April Fools’ Week.

And we’ve looked back at some pretty hilarious soccer pranks in the past here—like when a group of British lads fooled the Houston Dynamo into signing the “Honduran Maradona,” for example.

But this one from former New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis also deserves a mention in the best MLS pranks of all time.

The year was 2005, and the Revs’ first game of the season fell on April 2nd. Perfect to get a little cheeky and try to pull a fast one on fans and reporters.

Earlier that pre-season, someone had mentioned that the team’s one-piece jumpsuits for goalkeepers made the bald Matt Reis look like a member of the Blue Man Group.

So, Reis and a communications staffer photoshopped his team profile photo a deep blue tone, and on the eve of their season debut, the club distributed a press release that read:

“Goalkeeper trades in Revs' blue for blue spotlight.”

The statement continued by saying that “in a shock move,” the club’s starting keeper had retired at age 30 “to pursue a career in music and theater.”

Even head coach Steve Nicol jumped in with a gem of a quote to sell the joke even further:

“I can understand football burnout, but to go and be one of those blue guys defies reason. Matt always marched to the beat of his own drummer. I guess now he's going to be his own drummer.”

It was a pretty harmless prank, until one of the staffers at a major soccer news website missed the joke and treated it more or less as serious news 😅

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

We should know our fate later this afternoon when these two sides square up in the playoffs. We’ll see if we get who y’all predicted!

EVENTS
A Night to Celebrate the Open Cup!

Join us for a journey across the vast and vibrant American landscape through the beautiful game—brought to life by curated photographs, artifacts, experiences, and live conversations that celebrate the spirit of the U.S. Open Cup and what it represents for the sport in our country.

You’ll also be the first to see a special project in collaboration with DC-based creative Nico Polo, brought to life over the past year by soccer photographers from across the country.

Where: Washington, DC

When: April 18, 2026

RSVP right HERE! (Free Admission)

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Wake Up Call: It was a sobering night in Atlanta. But maybe we’ll get a repeat of 1950? Hopefully…

Hilarious: Well, that’s certainly one way to stop a breakaway. Just watch this ridiculous red card in USL. It’s probably one of the funniest you’ll ever see…

Insane Result: DC United knocked out FC Barcelona in the last group stage game of the GA Cup!

College Bike: March seems to bring the best out of college athletes, even in soccer. Just take a look at this wonderful goal from Boston College.

MLS Winter Schedule: Northern teams may not be too happy about this…

EXPANSION
NWSL Attendance Record Shattered

It was one of the greatest days in American soccer history. 63,004 souls packed Empower Field in Colorado to witness the Denver Summit’s home opener, shattering the NWSL single-match attendance record.

Whether it was at the huge tailgate with the 14ers in the morning or standing shoulder to shoulder with fans inside the stadium, we only saw smiles from ear to ear. Strangers bonded forever by that rare opportunity to make history together.

By all accounts, it was a monumental triumph for women’s sports and the beautiful game on our shores. Here’s what it felt like to be there.

BOX OFFICE
Last Minute World Cup Tickets

Still looking for World Cup tickets?

FIFA announced that the "Last-Minute Sales Phase" for the tournament will start this Wednesday, April 1, at 11 am EST.

Ticket options will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here’s everything you need to know about this last phase of ticket sales.

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: What is the best host city in the US? Here are some of your answers:

• “Atlanta. The best place would be anywhere on the Buford Highway strip. Incredible blend of Indian, Central American, and Asian food. Accessible thru the train as well! Also in Atlanta for the World Cup is the Decatur watchfest. In one of the Atlanta suburbs, they’ll be having a free area to watch the games all tournament in Downtown Decatur. Plenty of bars, restaurants, and other fun stuff.” - Allan A.

• “Atlanta is the greatest city in America.” - Jeremy

• “Santa Clara is the best host town 🥴” - Ben T

In the poll, “New York/New Jersey” and “Other” led the voting with about 33% each. There were a lot of great shouts, but definitely saw a lot of love for Atlanta! It’s a city I’ve never had the chance to visit, so I’ll be taking notes for this summer. Thank you, Allan, for the recs!

UP NEXT
Still On the Road!

We went straight from California to Colorado for the Denver Summit’s home opener, and we had an absolute blast! We even ran into Dr. Cheryl, a fellow road warrior we met in Austin at the Open Cup Final last year, as well as the legend Colin Martin from Footy Travelers. One of the many wholesome parts of such a historic day.

Now, we’re in Florida, working on a few projects, and should also be up to some fun side quests later this week. Stay tuned!

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