Since 2020, I have been researching, planning and experimenting with a project called Soccer History Lives Here. It is a celebration of the global game at the local level. On 8 July 2026, the website that anchors this project was released: soccerhistoryliveshere.com

As fifa and us politicians collude to try destroy the beautiful game, I received this fantastic summary of the soccer exhibition at The Haitian American Museum of Chicago. This is what a real celebration of the sport looks like: youtu.be/cLmi4IJNdCE?...

Illinois connections to the 1930 #USMNT also included players who moved to the state after the Uruguay World Cup. Billy Gonsalves, a USA born forward with a “rocket” shot, played for a Chicago all-star team in 1937 versus England's Charlton FC and was then recruited for Manhattan Beer team.

The men’s and women’s World Cups are absolutely the most engaging global sporting events. However, fifa’s catering to the ultra wealthy takes away from the communities that support the game. At Colombia v Democratic Republic of Congo last night, the number of empty seats was truly criminal.

The 2026 #USMNT has won consecutive matches for only the 2nd time in US men’s World Cup history In 1930, Andy Auld, an immigrant from Scotland, played in both games which the USA won by 3-0 scores Auld was an ASL Providence, RI player in 1930 but he kicked off his USA career in Gillespie, IL

Soccer History in the present: Upon arrival at Guadalajara airport, even someone dressed in a plain t-shirt is greeted as a fan! (I can’t imagine response if I’d been wearing my Mexico 78 kit)

SHLH spent #Juneteenth in Harper’s Ferry, WV and while there are no direct soccer history connections, there is actually an indirect one In 1893 as part of the Chicago World’s Fair, a soccer tournament was won by the Thistle Football Club and John Brown's “fort” was displayed near the fair grounds

Raphael Tracy, a Ben Miller listed player on the 1930 #USMNT roster and a player with an Illinois playing career. Tracy lined up for Gillespie FC before joining Royalton Stars of the Illinois Miners League in 1924. In Uruguay, his leg was broken but played through it in semi-final v Argentina. 1/2

Great to see #USWNT goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Pelé represented at Washington DC's National Museum of African American History and Culture in the same space as Tommie Smith and John Carlos. @resistanceschool.bsky.social

Frank Vaughn, a Ben Miller FC player on the #USMNT 1930 roster, is another example of a player with surprising Illinois connections. Born in St. Louis, he played for Mound City teams his whole career, but lined up for Johnston City FC, an Illinois coal mining town, in a 1921 #USOpenCup game. 1/2

Last night Soccer History Lives Here participated in the Haitian Museum of Chicago opening event "Echoes of Glory 1974/2026." The Haitian community has contributed immensely to soccer and culture in Chicago and the USA as a whole. If you are in Chicago, please visit the exhibit at 4654 N Racine.

Happy Men’s World Cup Opener Day! Illinois soccer players were an integral part of 1930 #USMNT at the first World Cup. Alexander Wood, born in Scotland, settled in the Chicago area, played for Gary, IN team and Chicago Bricklayers. Married Mildred, from soccer town and coal town, Streator, IL.

The first Illinois connection on the 1930 #USMNT list is: “Mgr. in Charge” W.R. Cummings. His “South American Tour” report is one of most important contributions to US Soccer history. Cummings came from #Pullman neighborhood and had been involved with soccer for 3 decades when he went to Uruguay.

The 2026 men’s World Cup kicks off on Thursday. In 1930, the #USMNT finished 3rd in that inaugural tournament in Uruguay. Were there any Illinois connections for that 1930 team? From the roster, it looks like no, but dig a little deeper and Illinois played a major role on, and off, the field!

Busy day today! I had a fantastic time speaking with @resistanceschool.bsky.social World Cup Class about @1930worldcup.bsky.social and the culture of soccer in 1920’s and 30’s USA. Then we released the teaser reel for this Soccer History Lives Here project: youtube.com/shorts/fA30c...

It’s impossible to put into words in 90 seconds the ambivalence USA soccer fans such as @fcstpaulichicago.bsky.social members feel about this 2026 men’s World Cup. Lee and I attempted it, and this is our submission for @fcstpauli-museum.de event about the World Cup and Nationalism.

In “The Lexical Transit of ‘Socker’ to America,” @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social pushes the earliest use of the imported word “socker” in the US to the early 1890s, usage that also reinforce the word’s English etymology, www.ussoccerhistory.org/the-lexical-...

Looking forward to discussing US Soccer culture of 1920’s and 1930’s with my @resistanceschool.bsky.social classmates on June 5!

Haiti’s men’s National Team has qualified for their first World Cup since 1974. Soccer in Illinois Haitian community has an illustrious history going back more than half a century. I’m happy to be participating with the Haitian American Museum of Chicago on highlighting some of that soccer history.

Soccer options in Illinois are plentiful. From pickup games in local parks to watch parties to high level, affordable community matches, it’s all here! SHLH caught @chicagoceltic.bsky.social Scottish Cup watch party on South Side then a fantastic Edgewater Castle game at historic Winnemac Park.

This project is not only about the past. It also documents the work people in Illinois soccer are doing today. The Fùtbol For All event at the Design Museum of Chicago was a fantastic gathering of artists, activists and players to share the joy of that soccer community. @ianthe.online

The last element of the Soccer History Lives Here badge/logo is the least well-known, but an essential part of US soccer history. Chicago Bricklayers Logo: Made up of 5 Bricklayer tools, it was chiseled onto the team's clubhouse and it signifies Chicago as the heart of Illinois soccer community.

Soccer is truly the world's game, and international competition has always been a significant element of the sport. In honor of that, the Soccer History Lives Here badge/logo incorporates The Three Point Star. A symbol of the international brigades who fought fascism during the Spanish Civil War.

The Soccer History Lives Here badge/logo incorporates a raised fist among its 4 icons. The Raised Fist: Signifying resistance to injustice as well as the strength and solidarity that comes from being part of a team and a community.

The Soccer History Lives Here badge/logo has 4 smaller icons which further symbolize project themes. The Coal Miner’s Lunch Pail: It represents where soccer was played in Illinois and the workers who played, and the community that supported, the game. @chuckcarlsonil.bsky.social

As soccer is the center of this Soccer History Lives Here project, the logo has a soccer ball at its center. The T-Model ball was used during the @1930worldcup.bsky.social, including in the 2nd half of the Uruguay-Argentina final.

The colors for the logo/badge of Soccer History Lives Here are also symbolic: Black and White are the colors of anti-fascist resistance.

The font used in the logo/badge has a direct connection to US and Illinois soccer history. It is based on the font used at the Pullman National Historical Park. Soccer teams from Pullman competed at highest levels of US Soccer in the early 20th century and attracted immigrants to work and play.

Each element of the Soccer History Lives Here logo/badge has meaning. The following introductory posts will describe those elements. The Shape: Circular, inspired by global soccer team badges, including Hamburg’s @en.fcstpauli.com

I really enjoyed speaking with Rory about a bit of soccer history and culture in Illinois. We covered a broad range of issues, from ice raids in Chicago to KKK in IL coalfields in 1920’s to the importance of women’s soccer in Illinois history and much more. (Photo is 1919 Joliet, IL soccer team)

Soccer History Lives Here is a project by @chuckcarlsonil.bsky.social to preserve, document and share the rich history of Illinois soccer culture. The logo, created in collaboration with Almostinformfc, incorporates elements of the themes that will be highlighted throughout the project.