NYC PICKUP SOCCER

  Van Cortland Park, located in the Bronx on Broadway and W. 251st. This area is a public park that holds many grass fields from around 240th Street to 251st and Broadway. Take the 1 train to the last stop going uptown and you'll find yourself only a few blocks away from this park.  This park is extremely big so even if there's fields taken up, which there are usually during the weekend due to youth soccer teams playing here, you can still find space to play or practice. There are tons of fields and open spaces to work on your touch or simply have a kick around with friends. This is relaxing and spacious place to play soccer or even go for a run along the perimeter of the park. Best of all this park is free and public to all so you don't have to worry about getting kicked out. Overall, this park is a fun place to play at with friends and a nice place to just hang out and enjoy the open scenery too. 

  Baker Athletic Complex aka Bakersfield aka Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium located on 218th Street off Broadway is the home to Columbia University's Mens and Women's soccer teams. This field is located on the most northern neighborhood in Manhattan, right across from the Marble Hill Section of the Bronx.  You can take the A train to 207 and walk north up broadway till 218th street and take a left on Broadway. Or you can take the 1 train to 215th Street which is a bit closer and walk a few blocks north to 218th and then take a left on Broadway.  The field is most likely not available to the public during Columbia's season from late summer through Fall. It is also tough to use during the winter as they put up a bubble on this field so there can be indoor practice for the Columbia Sports teams. However, if you go during the Spring and parts of the summer it is likely you have a chance of practicing.  Don't expect there to be pickup though as this is considered a private

  This is the current field of FC Harlem, a soccer club based in West Harlem that serves the community in a positive way. They make football fun, accessible and easy to join for local residents, particularly kids from Harlem, the Bronx, and Washington Heights. They provide youth with caring adult mentors and quality structured programs to enhance players both on and off the field.  This club is different from the more typical model of travel soccer in the United States which operates as an overpriced “PAY TO PLAY” system that thrives for privileged white youth in suburban communities. However, in non affluent neighborhoods in the urban centers of America high level soccer clubs are virtually non-existant. FC Harlem on the other hand acknowledges the need of the resources they offer. For example, "Our youth need access to designated safe spaces to engage with caring mentors who can help them develop to their fullest potential" (FC Harlem.org)  Their impact has already been liv

      Riverside Park, located on the Upper West Side, is a great place to play with others or simply training by yourself. There are a few fields from 103st to 108th street with the biggest field being on 108th. Taking the one train to 110th, M4 bus to 110th or M5 bus to 108th will land you close to Riverside Park. The park is open 24/7 and is free to use for the public. You might find youth teams practicing here during the fall or spring season which is why I like to come here mainly during the summer. It also gets darker later in the summer and more people come to play making it more fun.     Unlike Pier 40, Riverside doesn't have flood lights which make playing at night harder unless it is summer. During the fall and Winter I would recommend coming here earlier in the morning if you want to train so you could make use of the daylight. In terms of the turf quality it is not the best. It is rather tough on your feet if you play for hours. Pier 40's turf is brand new and much s

         Pier 40, one of my personal favorite spots to play soccer in New York City, is located right alongside the Westside Highway near soho. It literally sits on the Hudson River and you can hear the waves crash against the pier at the far end sometimes. You can take the 1 train to Houston Street or the A, C, E to West 4th Street and then walk several blocks west until you reach the West Side Highway. The pier is open to the public and free to use all days and times of the week. It is open from 7am to 12am daily.      During the afternoon and evening there are pickup games and the competition is usually some of the best in the city. Pier 40 can be enjoyed throughout the year but my favorite time to go is during the summer since this usually brings the most players and competition. College players or even international players usually visit here during the summer while they are home or on vacation. There are some travel soccer clubs that play here during their season which might mean