Photos of the San Diego African Soccer League
Ever since I moved to San Diego in 2007, I have heard rumors of the existence of an African Soccer League. My attempts to find it had proven unsuccessful until recently when I found a “Somali mall,” chatted up the guys who run a barbershop there, and had them put me in touch with their friend who runs one of the teams. He gave me the information I was looking for, and this past weekend, I finally got to go see the league in action. The existence of leagues like this one — completely under nearly everyone’s radar — that convince me that, contrary to popular perception, soccer is in fact quite popular in the United States, if you only know where to look to find it.
Below are some photos that I took of two games between African League teams. I was told that the games were friendlies and that the league itself will start next weekend. I will be returning to the league to do features on several of the teams. Check back soon for that!
Game #1
Dharee Oromo, the Ethiopian team
San Diego United, the Somali Bantu team
Game #2
Black Lions, the Southern Sudanese team
Africa United, a team with an accurate name (its players are from Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Burundi, Cameroon, along with two Mexican-Americans)
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March 26th, 2010 17:40
Interesting, there is an Africa United up here in Iceland as well, with players from all over Africa. They even have a sort of docu-mocku-mentary out, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470671/
March 28th, 2010 06:45
Yo, did the Dharee Oromo team consider themselves Ethiopian or Oromian?
March 28th, 2010 09:30
Scott – Don’t know because I didn’t get to talk to them much. Will check back with them in the future.
April 6th, 2010 20:41
It would be interesting to see inter-league championships.
April 9th, 2010 07:44
ahh the beautiful game. Where would we be with out it. Nice blog will check back again to see if you have any updates
May 21st, 2010 08:27
Since the World Cup is coming up, do you know of any futbol rituals or superstitions some teams or fans have and do?
Lisa
May 28th, 2010 03:51
Thanx for the article, i grew up playing in that african league in san diego. something to do on a sunday afternoon on a weekly basis. Hope to see you again soon.
Duach,
Black Lions
June 19th, 2010 22:42
Hi Lisa, most English players have rituals, some players always put a particular boot on first, some players like to be the last one to put their shirt on, or last on to the pitch, Liverpool players always touch the ‘this is Anfield sign’ in the players tunnel, things like that, although it hasn’t done England much good so far.