CAZENOVIA, N.Y. (NCC News) — Saturday afternoon tested nine-year-old Isaac’s loyalty.
“My favorite team’s Manchester United, but I really want Real Madrid to win this one,” he said.
Isaac loves soccer and plays for Madison County F.C. He, his teammates and their parents watched Borussia Dortmund play Real Madrid in the Champions’ League final. One of the biggest games in world soccer tested other loyalties too. The audience was divided between Dortmund and Madrid. A couple Liverpool F.C. jerseys were represented as well.
People cheered, gasped and groaned in frustration. Dortmund lost 2-0, which made Judson Ames groan even more. But the president of Madison County F.C. also had a bigger goal.
“We’re having a watch party to try to grow the game and the culture of soccer in the area by showing kids how the professionals do it, and the enjoyment you have,” he said.
Ames is a lifelong soccer player and fan who balances his career as a financial advisor with his hobby of refereeing high school and college games. He and a couple friends founded the club at the end of January to provide an option for local kids. He said most youth clubs are in Syracuse and that interest in the game had declined in Madison County over years as a result. He said the club’s mission is clear.
“We wanted to provide something for the kids at an affordable rate, and provide some higher-level coaching for kids that really love soccer,” Ames said.
He said the club was born at a special moment for soccer in the U.S. Legend Lionel Messi currently plays for Inter Miami CF in the MLS, the World Cup is coming back to the states in 2026.
Ames said the community in-and-around Cazenovia has responded better than expected. He said between 100-120 kids from ages 7-11 have participated so far. He said the club wants to integrate into the school and recreational leagues that do exist, giving kids the option to play year around.
Ames said soccer can be a beautiful game. For him, another sign of success will be providing moments for kids to be creative.
“The thing about soccer is that nobody tells you where to block, nobody tells you where to pick,” he said. “It provides every kid the freedom to make their own decision on the pitch, and then, when they all make their own decision that builds up to that beautiful goal — that’s why they call it the beautiful game.”
Americans across the country joined Madison County. Europe’s governing soccer organization UEFA estimated that 450 million people around the world watched the game somehow.
