New York City Football Club (NYCFC) kicked off its second annual 24-Hour Game in conjunction with Degree Deodorant at Rockefeller Center on the Plaza.
Right at the heart of NY’s tourist district, 700 amateur players and fans of NYCFC partook in the pop-up soccer match just days prior to NYCFC’s 2019 Home Opener at Yankee Stadium against DC United. The amateur participants were either on Team Ring for Midfielder Alex Ring or on Team Maxi to represent Argentina’s attacking midfielder, Maxi Morales.
The 3-year old MLS team had loyal fans support the club in freezing temperature while players from the 1st team and NYCFC Head Coach Domènec Torrent and Sporting Director Claudio Reynaand were present to encourage the amateur players.
The Knockturnal reporter had a chance to interview a few players including the 2nd ever team captain Alex Ring, Peruvian player Alex Callens, Keaton Parks, Maxi Morales and Alexandru Mitrija. The two-time Emmy Award winning commentator Fernando Fiore hyped the fans just before the 24-hour pop-up match began. Captain Alex Ring, who hails from Finland and is the 2nd captain in the history of the team was confident about the 1st home match of the 2019 pro season and wasn’t worried about the extremely cold weather in NYC and said, “I’m excited about the season, the cold weather doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, its’ not too cold for me. Our goal is to win. We’ve been preparing for this and we’re ready.”
The cross-pollination with partners at Degree Deodorant left the fans and media elated to receive our gift bags as a thank you from the club. Director of Marketing for Degree Deodorant Lucy Attley says, “We’re so excited to be teamed up with NYCFC to help them officially kick off the season! As a brand, Degree Deodorant believes we’re made to move. We make antiperspirants that react directly to movement, perfect for helping players and fans stay fresh during a 24-Hour Game like today. We’re proud to be partnered with NYCFC as they truly embody our mission of moving more every day.”
If this is the beginning of the opening season, NYCFC is off to a fine start! Soccer is recognized as the fastest growing sport in America, so if you haven’t had the chance to check out the club, visit NYCFC for match date schedule and tickets.
