Philadelphia is often called the city that loves you back. I can’t agree more!
This is evident with the way the entire city erupts in celebration each time any of Philadelphia’s sports teams achieve greatness.
The love for sports is rooted deep into the hearts and minds of Philly residents, with fans rallying to support their teams across a wide range of sports, such as American Football, Baseball, and Basketball.
However, the love for soccer is highly prevalent among the city’s vibrant Hispanic communities. Known as Fútbol in Spanish, soccer is more than just a sport for the Hispanic community. It is a way for generations to connect, a cultural expression, and a matter of pride and honor in Hispanic communities worldwide.
Whether it’s to support teams from their home countries or Philadelphia’s very own Philadelphia Union, staying connected to each second of the action is crucial. Some catch the action in the stadium, and some prefer to catch it online at home. If you’re like me and prefer watching at home, you can contact Spectrum servicio al cliente for a high-speed internet plan. You will catch every touchdown with Spectrum Internet’s lightning-fast speeds, perfect for streaming soccer games.
The preference for soccer among this Hispanic community in Philadelphia continues to grow, and with it so do the opportunities and platforms for participating in the sport. Additionally, multiple organizations are initiating youth programs that fuel the preference for soccer even more.
This article will explore the reasons behind the deep-rooted love for soccer among Hispanic communities and how it fuels the growth of the soccer scene in Philadelphia.
Why Hispanic Communities Love Soccer?
Soccer is a way of life in Hispanic communities, and the never-ending love for the game is fueled by three major factors, those being:
- Cultural Connection
- Connecting Generations
- Bridging Socioeconomic Divide
Let’s explore each of them in further detail.
Cultural Connection
The importance of family and food in the Hispanic culture can not be overstated. When watching soccer games, family, friends, and food are often a part of the celebrations.
This atmosphere that combines major aspects of Hispanic culture with families seeing and cheering for their country of origin on the screen helps create a sense of pride in younger generations early on and allows them to embrace their identity and cultural expressions.
Connecting Generations
Most children start watching soccer games with an adult; in fact, 76% percent of kids and teens watched Copa América Centenario with an adult.
This shared time helps bridge generational gaps and creates a burning passion for the game in children early on, fueled by the ones they love. As generations pass, so does this family tradition, creating a cycle that continues to stoke interest in the sport.
Bridging Socioeconomic Divide
In most Latin American countries, soccer has become a bonding activity for people across a broad range of races, origins, cultures, and classes. With the power to overcome such gaps and prejudices, soccer continues to connect a vast majority of people across Hispanic countries regardless of their race or class, becoming further ingrained into their culture as a common interest that bonds people.
The United States has one of the largest Hispanic populations, with Philadelphia home to 16% of that population. The passion for soccer in this population has fueled initiatives to grow soccer in the city, some of which will be explored next.
How The Hispanic Community Supports Soccer Growth in Philly
Hispanic fans are integral to the growth of soccer in Philadelphia. Their unwavering support for Major League Soccer, as well as Philadelphia’s major league team, Philadelphia Union, has helped propel the popularity of soccer in the local sports scene.
For Hispanic communities, soccer events in the city act as a way for them to express their unique cultural identities and embrace the love for sports in the local culture.
During game time, avenues such as the one and only Subaru Park are packed and lit up with vibrant jerseys, flags, and the roars of fans from all communities, including the Hispanic community. Their participation is not limited to just the stadium; many show their support by streaming the matches at home.
Additionally, Hispanic-owned businesses such as bars and restaurants also play their part by streaming local matches, providing patrons with a complete experience of the Hispanic culture, including mouth-watering Hispanic cuisine, the element of interacting with each other, and watching a sport integral to their identity.
The Philadelphia Union recognizes the contributions of its Hispanic fans and has undertaken initiatives to make them feel appreciated and seen. Some of these include:
- Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: hosting festivities such as the Fiesta Hispana in Subaru Park, Philadelphia Union, allows attendees to immerse themselves in Hispanic culture with live music and food in a vibrant atmosphere.
- Collaborations With Artists: during last year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, the Philadelphia Union collaborated with Hispanic artists and Philly local Distorted to create shirts reimagining the club’s logo with influence from the artists’ Hispanic culture.
- Highlighting Local Teams: to encourage the youth to engage in soccer, the Philadelphia Union collaborated with Los Lobos, a South Philly soccer team, with the mission of allowing the Hispanic youth an opportunity to play together.
The Future of Soccer in Philadelphia
From attending matches, playing in leagues, or hosting streaming events, their passion, participation, and cultural connection to the sport have helped establish it as an integral addition to the city’s sports culture.
With major events such as the FIFA World Cup coming to Philadelphia in 2026, the soccer scene continues to grow in the city, with the Hispanic community being at the heart of its growth.
PHOTO: Joshua Hoehne/Unsplash
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