The Time a Random Fan Got to Play an Official Game for the USMNT

In 1972, the USMNT only had 10 players in the squad for a World Cup Qualifying match against Mexico. So, a fan in the stands had to suit up and save the day. This week, we look back at one of the most unbelievable tales in US National Team history. Plus, we examine the biggest soccer ball in the world, dive into an upcoming soccer history walking tour, and much more.

This week’s stories:

• ⚽ The Largest Soccer Ball in the World

• 🎨 Zidane’s Masterpiece in Miami

• 🙋‍♂️ The Time a Random Fan Got to Play an Official Game for the USMNT

• 🇺🇸 Shocking the AFCON Champions

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Answers

• ➡️ And More

ENGINEERING
The Largest Soccer Ball in the World

It’ll be so huge it’ll be visible from the troposphere!

Starting next week, from June 12-18, you can check out this record-breaking soccer ball at Piers Park II in East Boston.

Here are the details behind this larger-than-life ball.

ART
Zidane’s Masterpiece in Miami

Can’t miss this if you’re in Miami!

Philippe Parreno and Douglas Gordon’s cinematic meditation “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” is featured in Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture at the Pérez Art Museum on view through August 23.

This exhibition explores the dynamic interplay between athletic performance and artistic expression, bringing together more than 100 international artworks and historic sports memorabilia to reveal the intertwined histories of creativity, athleticism, and spectacle.

The Zidane film (which follows him around an entire matchday at Real Madrid) is pretty special, and getting to view it in a museum will surely be a fun experience for anyone who loves the beautiful game.

COVER STORY
The Time a Random Fan Got to Play an Official Game for the USMNT

It’s probably the dream of every soccer fan in the world: somehow being pulled out of the crowd to suit up for your national team and defend your country against a regional powerhouse. Surely an impossible scenario.

But that’s exactly what happened in 1972 to Slobodan “Barney” Djordjevic, an avid fan of the beautiful game who had innocently pulled up to watch the USMNT take on Mexico for a 1974 World Cup Qualifying match in Los Angeles.

Shockingly, thanks to a series of administrative errors, travel mishaps, and injuries, the USMNT had arrived at the stadium without knowing how many players they’d even be able to field.

Two hours before the game, after doing a quick head count, they realized they only had ten players in the squad. A frantic effort to find a couple of extra players ensued, and that’s when one of the players on the USMNT recognized Djordjevic in the stands.

He vaguely remembered him being a former winger in the German-American League (semi-pro/amateur), and so the USMNT delegation greeted him, asked him to sign a few forms, and next thing you know, he was down on the pitch starting as a forward against Mexico.

Somehow, despite the diminished squad, the USMNT stumbled into an early 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Mexico was able to turn things around and win 2-1, but the fact that the US team held its own is nothing short of amazing, given the circumstances.

For Djordjevic, it was his first and only cap for the USMNT, but it’s probably the coolest call-up story ever in our country’s soccer history.

What an absolute hero for stepping up when America needed him most.

WC2026
Shocking the AFCON Champions

What a roaring performance. Down went Senegal (the rightful AFCON Champions).

We came out firing on all cylinders, guns a-blazing. Captain America broke out of the ice just in time for the summer, dishing out an assist and bagging a goal for himself.

In the stands in Charlotte, it was a waving sea of red, white, and blue, erupting in jubilation after every goal. A wonderful taste of what we’ll hopefully get to experience come the World Cup.

Here’s how things looked on the ground!

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know your thoughts—we’ll feature your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Worst to Best: A comeback for the ages. From finishing at the very bottom of the table last season, to lifting the trophy this past weekend. One of the best turnarounds ever…

Million Dollar Goal: Take a look at the winning goal from this year’s TST men’s bracket. With so much money on the line, the wild celebrations are understandable!

Can We Kick It: The premiere of this awesome soccer doc took place over the weekend. Keep an eye out for more screenings…

National Mall Watch Parties: Once in a lifetime! Catch some World Cup games in the heart of Washington, DC. All info right here.

Growing the Pyramid: USL included five additional clubs in its 2027 sanctioning application to US Soccer. Check it out 👀

FASHION
The Monarch Collection

In the U.S., one-in-three immigrants live with the fear that they or someone they love could be deported. For many, the idea of belonging remains uncertain, even in the places they’ve helped shape.

With the 2026 Men’s World Cup arriving on our shores, our good friends at Guerrilla FC and the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights have partnered to tell stories of immigrants who have been detained or deported, focusing on tales of empowerment, celebrating courage, resilience, and the drive to belong, on the field and beyond.

Accompanying this storytelling series is the “Monarch Collection,” an immigrant-inspired sports apparel capsule rooted in football’s global history of movement, migration, and international connection.

Check out the collection HERE. Proceeds from it will go to support the efforts of the Amica Center!

EVENTS
Soccer History Walking Tour

If you’ll be in Philly for the World Cup on Sunday, June 28th, you gotta check out this awesome initiative by Because Football.

​Part history tour, scavenger hunt, and a good excuse to get some steps in, you'll hear the hidden tales of influential players, clubs, and moments forgotten over the generations as you walk through Philly.

And to close it all out, you can enjoy a watch party with the whole group after the tour at Lion Sports Bar, one of the city’s top soccer pubs.

Sign up here!

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Would you have taken Diego Luna to the World Cup? Here are some of your answers:

• “Yes. How could you not love this guy? He’s done all the ‘right things’ as a youth player and nurtured in the United States soccer system. Plays hard and presses like a maniac. Brings energy and passion to the game. Lifted an otherwise stiff U.S. last year in the Gold Cup. And the tattoos! Come on. What’s the inside deal with U.S. Soccer? Is it a close-minded academy lacking in imagination? See you in Iberia 2030!” - W. Dumka

• “Yes. He adds a bit of flare, and bit of defensive attitude and bite, and can be a game changer as a sub off the bench.” - Larry D.

• “Yes. He is a player who has shown up for both club and country over the past 1-2 years. Not only that, he brings a different perspective to the national team set-up. This is a clear extension of the culture of the US Youth Soccer system to the NT.” - Krzyzostaniak

The poll results came in at 100% for “Yes,” which is something that I don’t think has ever happened before in the history of these emails. Everyone was super vocal about their support for Luna, and I also agree; I would’ve taken him too!

UP NEXT
Bay Area Bound

We’ll be headed back to the West Coast this weekend, over to the Bay Area.

If you’ll be in town, send us a message, it’d be great to meet up!

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