NYFEST Raises More Than $25,000 for NYC Youth Soccer

Some of the celebrities and former professional players who helped raise more than $25,000 for New York City youth soccer initiatives as part of NYFEST 2011. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

As a reporter, attending the 2011 New York Film and Entertainment Soccer Tournament (NYFEST) felt like a four-day trade show crammed into 10 hours, topped off with a generous helping of cold rain. You had the badge, a line to check in, crappy food choices, and most of all, a lot of walking around from place to place, on a schedule but in search of the story.

The big difference was that NYFEST was a lot of fun. Towards the end of the goal-studded the celebrity game, the sun finally emerged, as if to give its blessing to what had happened there. And when I left Pier 40 after the final whistle, I couldn’t help but smile, reflecting on the seven lessons I had learned:

Despite the rain, the action was intense in the 5-a-side tournament, as Umbro's Magpies (l) took on the New York Cosmos (r). (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY
The foundation of NYFEST was the entertainment industry 5-a-side soccer tournament. An impressive 44 teams participated, competing in a round-robin tournament with the top two teams from each of the 11 groups advancing to the knockout phase.

As is often the case when corporate teams compete, it was really a mixed bag. But nearly every squad had at least one talented player. Some of them were very talented. And nearly a dozen of the teams were chock full of top-shelf talent. While many of the them had former pros and other notable ringers, there were plenty of players who merely played in college – products of the current US youth soccer system.

Ten years ago, back when I was playing in this city’s amateur soccer leagues, a tournament like this wouldn’t have been nearly as entertaining. There would have been far fewer people at these companies who had played the game competitively.  Which brings us to Lesson #1, that soccer in this country has indeed blossomed. And just as New York City attracts the best minds from all around the world, it seems we have become the beneficiary of much of its soccer talent as well.

Comedian John Oliver played for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as part of NYFEST 2011's 5-a-side soccer tournament. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

COMEDY CENTRAL IS INHERENTLY FUNNY
Two shows from the network – The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report – fielded teams in the tournament. And we were eagerly awaiting the Comedy Central derby. As fate would have it, they ended up meeting on a puddle-ridden pitch for what turned out to be slapstick swamp ball.

John Oliver was arguably the only shining star for the Daily Show. But not even Kenny Dalglish could save their fortunes. Their goalkeeper cleared the ball right into the back of one of the Colbert Report players, knocking it into his own net. The Colbert Report ended up winning 1-0 thanks to that painful own goal (watch it here). The Daily Show went on to finish last in their group without a single win. The embarrassment should be enough to ensure that Jon Stewart shows up next year to salvage some pride.

While it’s easy to have a laugh when people are slipping around and falling into puddles, especially when there’s an uncooperative sphere of leather involved, something about this derby made it even funnier – perhaps because the people playing in it were laughing just as hard as we were. And it should be noted that, though tempers did get much more noticeable as the tournament went on, everyone seemed to keep their sense of humor. Lesson #2 is that the entertainment industry can be very entertaining.

Academy Directors Giovanni Savarese (l) and Teddy Chronopolous (r) were among the star-studded line-up who took the field for the New York Cosmos in the 5-a-side tournament. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

COBI & THE COSMOS
At first glance, it seemed unfair that the New York Cosmos were allowed to enter a team. Technically you could argue that they are in the entertainment industry. But the problem is that they have more former professional soccer players on staff than most companies. Their starting five were superb, and even their bench had talent. Despite drawing in their first match, they seemed to be able to score at will.

One of the best goals of the day came from Cobi Jones. He chested in a throw from his own keeper, despite a rather physical challenge from the opposing goalkeeper (who was clearly channeling Tony Schumacher) from Visit Films.

That being said, I would be remiss for not mentioning Cobi’s ”condition.” Though it certainly isn’t easy for me to do so, as I’ve always been a big fan of his, and these days my own midriff has started taking on orbitals.

In the 5-a-side tournament, former US international and LA Galaxy star Cobi Jones played for the New York Cosmos, where he now serves as Associate Director of Soccer. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

Despite having retired from professional play only four years ago, the former US international and Los Angeles Galaxy star was a good dozen buffet lines from match fit. It didn’t help that most of his teammates looked like they were fresh out of the spa. And I had even argued with other reporters that his jersey might have been too small, and that the rain made it clingy. But his form was clearly off, a reality amplified by seeing other former US internationals in the celebrity match (a game in which Cobi was noticeably absent).

Perhaps he was sick, given that he started most matches on the sideline, wearing a hat and coat as he huddled under an umbrella. But even some of the players I interviewed urged me to report on this. The bottom line is that the Cosmos can’t keep Cobi behind a desk. He needs a regular kick-around to keep him sparkling.

That said, the Cosmos surprisingly finished second in their group. The team they drew with in their first match, the Magpies, had a better goal differential. And the Cosmos were eventually eliminated in the knockout phase by Elsewhere FC, which proved a tad embarrassing since they did have the most star-studded line-up and were knocked out of the Sweet 16 in a tournament they helped sponsor. Lesson #3 is that it takes more than a handful of former pros to win an amateur soccer tournament in this city. That’s how good our game has gotten here in Gotham.

Eleven year-old Callum Johnson held his own for the film company Angel's Crest, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

HOW SWEDE IT IS
The aforementioned Magpies were Umbro’s (another sponsor) entry into the tournament. They were just as lethal as the Cosmos, but with a killer instinct. They had talent like former US international Carlos Jaguande, and a bench nearly as strong as their starting five. But what really set them apart is that they regularly play together in one of the MetroSoccerNY amateur leagues (as the Bowery Football Club).

The team that eventually eliminated the Cosmos in the knockout phase (4-3), Elsewhere FC, were also a product of MetroSoccer NY. They had an impressive player pedigree as well, but the advantage for these teams was that they had been playing together for some time – and it showed.

The Magpies eventually went down at the hands of Angel’s Crest, one of the strangest teams to take the field. They only had one sub, and two of their players were still in high school. A third, Callum Johnson, was only 11. I know that the labor laws can be a bit fuzzy in the film industry, but they assured me that the boy did some work for them when he wasn’t busy with the New York Red Bulls Academy. One has to appreciate the irony of seeing such a talented prospect at a Cosmos event, knowing that he has already committed to their rivals. Angel’s Crest then lost to Grassroots Soccer, who went on to win the tournament.

FoodRepublic.com made it all the way to the finals only to lose by a goal. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

Another interesting team was the one fielded by FoodRepublic.com. First of all, the site itself is a great find. It’s a resource for guys who like to eat and drink well (apparently like Cobi and me). But for a gastro Web site, they sure did have a lot of talented soccer players on staff. But it appears that the founder of the site, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster), is soccer mad. And like Jon Stewart, he’s probably cursing himself for not being there, as his team eventually lost in the final to Grassroots Soccer.

Like the Magpies and Elsewhere FC, FoodRepublic.com plays together in a MetroSoccer NY league – under the name Blatte United, with “blatte” being Swedish for immigrant. Like a number of the Magpies, FoodRepublic.com also boasted a bevy of Swedish immigrants (Samuelsson is famously from Sweden). We’re not talking goons like Zlatan, but some players with great skill and a real feel for the game.

Ethan Zohn a (third from right) and his Grassroots Soccer team won the 5-a-side tournament. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

As I mentioned, FoodRepublic faced Grassroots Soccer in the final, having dispensed with Curtis and Sony Pictures Classics (NYFEST co-executive director Dylan Leiner can be proud for taking his team that far). Grassroots, which had the advantage of employing a staff willing to dedicate their careers to the game, prevailed 3-2 in a very close contest. But Lesson #4 is that the key to success is to play together year-round, with MetroSoccer NY offering some of the best competition you will find. That and hire Swedes.

Click on the image to see some video footage of Manhattan Samba at Pier 40 during NYFEST 2011. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

THE POWER OF SAMBA
The day started out cold and raining. And that’s pretty much how it stayed. But, with the exception of the youth soccer clinics (there always seemed to be some kids kicking it around, but the bottom line is that parents just don’t like letting their kids run around in the rain), the weather didn’t deter any of the players. All the teams showed – and stayed to play. Plus, there were a surprising number of spectators who came out.

And while future NYFESTs will surely improve upon the food and other ancillary activities, having Manhattan Samba on hand really gave everyone a boost. Lesson #5 is the resolve of New York City’s soccer community. We’re certainly not fair-weather fans. And give us a good drum line, and we’ll endure just about anything for our game.

Ethan Hawke (l) and Frank Whaley (r) were among the actors who played in the NYFEST 2011 celebrity soccer match. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

CELEBS & PROS
Given the miserable weather, you’d expect most celebs to bow out in favor of indoor activities associated with the Tribeca Film Festival, another of the event’s sponsors. But not celebrities interested in soccer. NYFEST 2011 had a surprisingly good turnout for an inaugural event – particularly a rain-soaked one.

Ethan Hawke and Frank Whaley were the two biggest names from Hollywood. Both ran with that awkward gait you’d expect from guys who spent their youth on a stage instead of a field. And while Whaley soon left for the bench (never to return), Hawke did more than distinguish himself. Even at 40, the guy was in their, mixing it up. He made an incredible tackle to save a goal. He was like a far less annoying version of Lucio. And he played the whole game, without ever slowing down.

Former NBA star Steve Nash was also a factor. He grew up playing the game and it showed, as he scored a nice header in the first half. Former Israeli tennis sensation Gilad Bloom got a goal as well, though one could argue that he spent most of the match offside.

Actor Andrew Shue, who played briefly for the LA Galaxy, was one of the standouts in the celebrity match. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

Andrew Shue may remembered better as a former LA Galaxy player than as an actor. He brought his proverbial shit on Saturday. He was one of the true standouts, driving a lot of the action and scoring a lovely header.

Some of the former US internationals in the celebrity match impressed while others wallowed in their own shadows (cough, Tony Sanneh, cough). John O’Brien was as sharp as ever, picking up a goal of his own. Even at 33, he could easily get back into MLS. Claudio Reyna saved his best for the second half, scoring a pair of goals. Eddie Lewis also found the net, as did the Cosmos’ Gio Savarese, who clearly wasn’t tired from the tournament.

But the star who stole the show was tennis legend John McEnroe. He played soccer in high school in New York City, at the time when the New York Cosmos ruled the American soccersphere, and has been known to still play in pick up games.

Tennis legend John McEnroe proved that he is truly a master of all balls, as he scored a magnificent header to open up the celebrity soccer match. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

Early in the first half, Tab Ramos lofted a ball to the far post where McEnroe, at 52, was flying in. He delivered a textbook header, kissing the inside of the post as it went in for the first goal of the game (see this great video of it, filmed by Nicolas Gonzalez, whose brother plays for the Cosmos Pre-Academy). McEnroe didn’t take the field for the second half, but – having already scored the most memorable goal of the day – his work was done.

Lesson #6 is a two-parter. First, celebrities who like soccer, just like the former professionals who played, are a hearty lot. They could have stayed home, warm and dry. But they showed up, and delivered an entertaining game for the fans, with no fewer than 11 goals. Second, John McEnroe is the man.

Incidentally, Luke Rodgers and Tim Ream showed up for the game as well, but neither took the field. It would have been a bit awkward, as the players all wore Umbro New York Cosmos jerseys. Rodgers and Ream were decked out in Red Bulls gear, which made me glad I wasn’t on the PR side of this event.

Of Soccer & Actors
Looking back on the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid earlier this week, I wasn’t sure how I felt about mixing actors and soccer. It seems there’s already too much theatrics in the game. And, while I’m all for supporting soccer charities, I’d like to start one of my own. I’d like to establish a Web site that could afford the rights to clips from all the big leagues, and dedicate itself to exposing (and humiliating) players who cheat, dive, and simulate. Forget those armbands that say “respect.” What we need is same-day exposure of the kind of behavior that’s killing the game. Let’s get some respect for the fans, for the game, and for the refs. And it all starts with these players having some respect for themselves.

The real stars of NYFEST 2011 were the kids who came out to play. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)

$25,000 REASONS WHY SOCCER
IS A SUCCESS IN NEW YORK CITY
Speaking of soccer charities, they did well at NYFEST 2011. The event raised more than $25,000 to give underserved kids in New York City a chance to play the beautiful game, benefitting DUSC’s City Soccer Initiative and the Claudio Reyna Foundation as well as Grassroots Soccer and the Sanneh Foundation.

Lesson #7 is that whether we are casual players or serious competitors, New York City cares about sharing the game. It’s a sport that anyone can play, and NYFEST raised a lot of money to give the next generation a shot at glory.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in NYFEST 2011. And thanks to the Tribeca Film Institute, Umbro, and all the other sponsors who made it happen!

To see more photos from NYFEST 2011, click here.

Pier 40 hosted NYFEST 2011, which raised $25,000 for New York City youth soccer initiatives. (image source: christopher dobens / totalfootblog.com)