NYC PICKUP SOCCER

       Located between Amsterdam Ave and 136th Street, seconds away from City College, lies Jacob H. Schiff Playground. This park has a nice sized turf soccer pitch with multiple goals and colorful street murals along the side of the wall.  In the neighborhood of Harlem, this field attracts a diverse crowd of players and spectators. Usually there are smaller pickup games during the week that take up half the field. If you are looking to train alone or with a friend or two there is some space on the sideline however I would recommend getting there earlier in the day. The afternoons can usually get pretty busy and this isn’t the largest field.  On the weekends is when I usually tend to play here. There are more organized pickup games on the weekend mornings so unless you are on a team already or know someone I wouldn’t recommend coming weekend mornings unless you just want to watch. 

                                                                                                                               New Soccer Field in Washington Heights This beautiful new soccer field opened up last month on 175th Street and Amsterdam, in the vibrant and bustling Washington Heights neighborhood. The field is open to the public with new turf, goals and benches being added.            The field is perfect for solo training, small sided games or simply for getting in some running along the sidelines. The field is truly the perfect size and looks incredible.            It is another hidden gem that has popped up recently in the Heights only a year after the street pitch further west in Jhood Park (view previous post) was created. This pitch is nicer for people looking to get a grass feel and wear proper cleats. It is also more spacious but still contained rather nice. Get out and enjoy this new field while the nice weather lasts!

       Street Soccer is a game enjoyed by everyone. On this early fall afternoon at J. Hood Wright Park this statement remains true. Kids and adults of all backgrounds share the same patch of concrete. This patch of concrete is not like any other though. It is bragging rights for who is the best on the day. Each day the the best must compete again or their bragging rights will be lost.       Teams are small, five a side plus a goalie. The games are quick, two goals or ten minutes; whichever comes first. This day there were several teams but the waiting time for a game is never too long. The fast paced and small nature of the playing pitch make it exciting for not only the player, but to the spectator, who get a closeup view at all times.      Soccer is a chance to communicate and get to know people, I would have walked past most of these faces on the street but here we stop and talk. I knew people from this park where I played when I was younger but I don't get to see much of them

A Ligue 1 discipline committee will look into allegations that Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar was the latest victim to racist abuse during their 1-0 loss against fellow French rival Marseille on Sunday. The league will likely to launch a full investigation, according ESPN.  According to the French Federation's rules, "Racist behaviour could be a maximum of 10 matches while being found guilty of spitting could earn a player a six-game ban." PSG issued a statement on Wednesday supporting Neymar that said: "The club underline that there is no place for racism in society, football and our lives and asks everyone to speak out against all types of racism." The club also said they have "faith in the LFP's disciplinary commission to investigate and clarify what happened. The club are willing to collaborate in any way needed to advance the investigations." Neymar himself made a statement via Instagram on Wednesday, saying "In our sport, aggressions,