Videos

  • Explore documentaries, interviews, archival footage, and original films that uncover the people, places, and communities that shaped the history of soccer in America.

Recent News

Black Diamonds on the Prairie - Episode 1: Gillespie

Black Diamonds on the Prairie - Episode 1: Gillespie

Posted: - Soccer History
Pitches on the Prairie Ep 4 - Hamilton Park

Pitches on the Prairie Ep 4 - Hamilton Park

Posted: - Soccer History
Share:

Videos

Explore documentaries, interviews, archival footage, and original films that uncover the people, places, and communities that shaped the history of soccer in America.

Black Diamonds on the Prairie - Episode 1: Gillespie

Black Diamonds on the Prairie - Episode 1: Gillespie

Posted: - Soccer History
Coal MiningGillespieLogo-Coal Miner's Lunch PailCoal Mining TownsUnionsIllinois CoalfieldsPilgrimsFarrington CupUS Open Cup
This first episode scratches the surface of soccer history in Gillespie, Illinois, one of the major hotbeds of midwest soccer in the early 20th century.
Pitches on the Prairie Ep 4 - Hamilton Park

Pitches on the Prairie Ep 4 - Hamilton Park

Posted: - Soccer History
pitches on the prairiePublic ParksEnglewoodHigh School SoccerCoal City
Public Parks and Soccer in Chicago: Hamilton Park
Pitches on the Prairie Ep 3 - Kuppenheimer Stadium

Pitches on the Prairie Ep 3 - Kuppenheimer Stadium

Posted: - Soccer History
pitches on the prairieKuppenheimerSpartaChicago BricklayersHakoahLogo-Raised Fist
Soccer Specific Stadiums: Kuppenheimer Stadium
Pitches on the Prairie Ep 2 - Lawndale Baseball Park

Pitches on the Prairie Ep 2 - Lawndale Baseball Park

Posted: - Soccer History
pitches on the prairiePeter PeelMcDuffsHibernianBaseballLogo-Chicago Bricklayers
This 2nd soccer ground is a bit more obscure, but also worth recognizing: Lawndale Ball Park at the corner of Ogden and Pulaski in Chicago’s North Lawndale community.
Pitches on the Prairie Ep 1 - Hanson Stadium

Pitches on the Prairie Ep 1 - Hanson Stadium

Posted: - Soccer History
pitches on the prairieLogo-Three Point StarHanson ParkPolandTurkeyChicago MaroonsASLNAPSLBelmont-CraginLiverpool FCEverton FCBorussia Dortmund
First episode of Soccer History Lives Here's "Pitches on the Prairie" where we identify, celebrate and mark the places where soccer history was made in the state of Illinois.
The First Men's World Cup

COMING SOON: The First Men's World Cup

Posted: - Soccer History
1930 World Cup
In 1930 the United States men's national soccer team reached the semi-finals of the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay and finished in 3rd place.
Coal City Soccer City

COMING SOON: Coal City Soccer City

Posted: - Soccer History
Coal Mining
Coal City, a community founded on coal mining, was a hotbed of soccer in Illinois from 1890's until the 1950's
Gil Heron - The Black Arrow

COMING SOON: Gil Heron - The Black Arrow

Posted: - Soccer History
Gil Heron’s life story stretches far beyond the pitch - it traces a path shaped by immigration, opportunity, resilience and determination.
Pullman Soccer

COMING SOON: Pullman Soccer

Posted: - Soccer History
Pullman FCPullman
Pullman, on Chicago’s South Side, was a model industrial town built for railroad car workers and it was where organized soccer in the city first took root in the late 19th century

LEAVE A COMMENT

We welcome your insights, corrections, and perspectives. Your contribution helps build a more complete history of the game.