It’s 7 a.m. in Vegas, and while most of the city’s visitors are just stumbling into bed, others are getting ready for a full day of soccer.
About twenty minutes off the strip, in a community sports park, dominated mostly by little league fields, sits one lone indoor soccer pitch…and a bar because, as one of its staff so endearingly told us, “That’s Vegas, Baby!”
The players, coffee in one hand, cliff bar in the other, traveled from across the country, if not internationally, for this; a chance to play the sport they love, as themselves (whether Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-binary, Queer, Questioning, or anything in between), without fear.
The teams, though they have roots far and wide, know each other well as both friends and frenemies. They’ll pour their blood, sweat, and tears out on the field in a series of 7v7 matches, played end to end in quick, six-minute halves for a shot at claiming a victory, bragging rights, and prime social media content. But, at the end of the day, they’re all soccer family and this event has a higher purpose.
A month has passed since the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association’s (IGLFA) Indoor World Championship 2019 at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. The tournament was a remarkable feat. In 2013, a mere five teams played. This year, there were an astounding twenty-nine teams, including some from as far as Mexico and London! This year was also special because the organization also held its first-ever women’s tournament.
The event kicked off on Friday with the women’s tournament. The matches were end to end, pacy, and frenetic. All five sides involved couldn’t wait to get going. AZKATL Mexico stormed through the division’s group stage. Defender and playmaker Monserrat Cortes pinged balls over the top to Luz Maria, who had the incisive left foot of a 9-iron at Pebble Beach. AZKATL were defeated by their rivals Didesex, runners up in the group stage, but took care of business in the final of the knockout stage.
Jessica Ahedo was magnificent, creating, probing, carving her own space to score beautiful goals. Ahedo was given the MVP award for her tricky and brilliant work. Hometown side, San Francisco Spikes placed fourth. Goalkeeping hero Shannon McCubbin was awarded the ‘Golden Glove’ for her outstanding performance after making multiple saves.
Other participating teams: Bandidas FC (Long Beach), Philadelphia Falcons.
“It was really cool to be apart of the new Women’s division,” reflected Spikes Captain Danielle Thoe. “To give us the space to play together and against one another really brought out our confidence and lead to all of us playing better soccer.”
Immediately following the conclusion of Friday’s matches and awards ceremony, all participants gathered for the first-ever IGLFA Women’s, Transgender and Non-Binary Task Force, facilitated by Head Referee and IGLFA board member, Kimberly Hadley.
“We spoke openly about how to improve participation in future IGLFA events while discussing how the IGLFA can provide more visibility for us,” noted Hadley. “We spoke about the importance of changing the overall perception of the IGLFA being only a gay men’s football organization. I said, ‘It’s up to all of us to change that perception, we need to show up and participate!’”
“The camaraderie amongst the participants was fantastic,” added Philadelphia’s Falcons Jessie Dummer. “After the tournament, there was an opportunity for us to talk together about how to improve the experience and provide more opportunities for women, trans and non-binary players. I think that should be a major focus for next year, getting more teams and players to the tournament.”
IGLFA is aware there is growth to be done to make their tournaments even more welcoming to everyone. The organization is taking necessary steps to improve inclusivity through discussions on the task force and future proposals at the board level.
Hadley left with a good feeling after the task force meeting. “One person spoke up at the forum to say ‘this is the first time I’ve played and really felt included and welcome,’” she said. “The group all cheered as this is ultimately the goal that we want – for everyone to feel that way. I was very proud to hear that and to know that we were able to achieve it.”
Saturday and Sunday’s All Gender Divisions I and II included the stiffest competition in history. Three Gold Medal winning teams, plus other medalists from Paris’ 2018 Gay Games, coupled with clubs who had the pedigree to go far.
Division I’s class act was Minnesota Gray Ducks, sending two teams to play in the division. Both sides were strong, balanced and faced off in the final with Minnesota I winning. Minnesota I’s striker, Elias Rieland could skip past any defender in the tournament and Seth Temple’s work rate was off the charts.
Goalkeeper and club manager Ryan Adams did a terrific job in putting the two teams together. Notably, Tony Bono, a striker for Minnesota II, a star for Dayton Dynamo and the Minnesota Strikers in the days of the MISL had some legendary goals earning him MVP.
Vegas native DJ Wheat was the team’s goalkeeper and for the second year running won goalkeeper of the tournament. Wheat was impeccable and unwavering. Current Gay Games Division I Champions, West Hollywood Soccer Club took home third. Goalkeeper Josh Ayou was spectacular, providing fun for fans, especially during a shootout. Rob Thomsen hit stunning free kicks for days.
“For me, this showing meant the world. It is a reflection of what I have been working toward managing LGBT teams based from Minnesota for the past 5 years,” Minnesota’s Adams told SFGate.com. “It gives us hope that we can grow not this tournament, but other tournaments to be successful on an annual and rotating basis.”
A new team, Lobos USA, played its first tournament together capturing fifth in Division I. “It is very satisfying that in our first tournament as a team, we managed to get fifth,” Lobos USA Vice-Captain Esteban Munoz said. “The team is very close, and of an excellent competitive level, the intention is to make the Latino community visible in International events. It’s always a pleasure to participate in these tournaments as we know and socialize with different people from different cities.
Of the club’s ethos, Munoz mentioned: “Lobos USA is an inclusive team and has the openings for all, it is nice to participate in events that promote inclusion, respect, and sports in the LGBTIQ community.”
Other Participating Division I Teams were: New York Ramblers, Waverunners (Long Beach FC), Lobos USA, Zorros (Mexico City), Lobos Mexico, Philadelphia Falcons I, AZKATL, Boston Strikers and Didesex.
The Division II’s Champions were San Diego Sparks, with runners up London Stonewall. The Sparks were buoyed by goalscorer, Nick Chadwick, a previous four-time winner of the Sin City Classic tournament with West Hollywood Soccer Club. Chadwick couldn’t stop scoring and waited for his moment in every match, capturing his 5th title.
San Diego’s backline was fraught with stingy Defenders Daniel Dolan, David Hines, and goalkeeper David Rodriguez, who could all control the game by passing neatly out of the back. For all their travels, London Stonewall claimed second in the Division under the stewardship of Benjamin Biggs, Adam Turner, Gio Suergui and Stephen Crosse. All four were Gold medal winners at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris. San Francisco Spikes I took third with Matt Sarett leading the scoring and terrific defending by Dana Nakano and Ricky Fagan.
Other Participating Teams in Divison II: Toronto United FC, Vancouver United, San Francisco Spikes II, New York Ramblers II, Hotlanta, Flaming Cocktails (Philadelphia), Bridges FC (Long Beach), Chicago, Portland Netrippers
IGLFA’s President Gus Penaranda added his endorsement of the tournament and looked toward the future. “The 2019 Inaugural IGLFA Indoor World Championship at Sin City broke records and shattered our expectations,” said Penaranda. “The IGLFA Indoor Championship is part of the new IGLFA. We have been working diligently for the last two years to improve, expand and include greater participation in our tournaments.”
Hans Laursen, who built this tournament with his partner Mauricio Furtado from a pipe dream in 2013 mentioned how proud how much it has grown. “Five to twenty-nine teams yes, that is an amazing trajectory from our humble beginnings,” said Laursen. “We love to hear from captains and players about how to make the tournament better. We take all feedback to heart, as the players are the heart of our tournament.”
He’s not stopping there and is already planning for next year’s tournament.
Best Of:
Goal: Jesus Soto — Zlatan-esque overhead strike had the place purring (Didesex)
Assist: Maggie Ross quick-footed in the corner for a clinical finish by Jessie Dummer (Philadelphia Falcons)
Celebration: Noemi Arzate — a twirl, a shimmy shake and a beautiful bow (AZKATL)
Free Kick Taker: Rob Thomsen — bet your mortgage on it (West Hollywood Soccer Club)
Penalty Taker: Bryce Beamish — 3/3? 2/2? ice cold veins (Minnesota Gray Ducks II)
Goalkeeper: Shannon McCubbin — played in the Women’s and Division II all gender tournaments. Not to mention her kit was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Best Kit(s):
AZKATL Mexico: What could go wrong with a gorgeous rainbow gradient?
New York Ramblers: A tropical house may not be a thing anymore, but these were fresh.
Bandidas FC (Long Beach): The commodification of Marilyn Monroe was epic, with team crests!
Out For Kicks (Vancouver): Is it Tinder or just your inner fire?
Representation: San Francisco Spikes, Philadelphia Falcons, and Long Beach FC. Three teams each! The most gender diversity by far.
You can follow Charles Wollin on Twitter @cwollin