- The Forty-One Life
- Posts
- Anime, Club Ownership, and On-Pitch Heat.
Anime, Club Ownership, and On-Pitch Heat.
Your Weekly Digest of Soccer, Style, and Culture Across the CONCACAF Region
Welcome to Edition 45 of The Forty-One Life — This week, it’s all about motion—on the streets, in the stands, and behind the lens. Atlanta creative Gavin Guidry captures Crystal Palace’s matchday march in South London, while Concacaf teams up with Blue Lock for an anime x football crossover. We recap the vibes from the Steve Nash Showdown in NYC, break down the latest ownership shakeups across MLS and the Premier League, and drop fresh pitchside galleries from the Club World Cup and Gold Cup. Plus, June’s got some can’t-miss events on deck. Let’s get into it.
Help us grow by forwarding to a friend, or if someone forwarded this to you, please subscribe!
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
South London Stand Up: Crystal Palace’s March Through the Lens of Gavin Guidry
Credit: Gavin Guidry
Atlanta-based creative director and content creator Gavin Guidry recently spent time in South London, where he captured a powerful moment: Crystal Palace supporters marching to Selhurst Park for their final home match of the season against Wolves—just a week after their FA Cup miracle. Though Gavin reps a different London club, this moment cut through the rivalry. What he captured wasn’t about teams—it was about energy, pride, and a city showing up for its own.
MORE BEAUTIFUL GAME
The Black Women’s Player Collective is taking up more space—and making it count. As part of the NWSL’s Juneteenth programming, the BWPC is leading the charge with on-field visibility, curated playlists, community events, and custom warm-up tops designed by Black creatives.
ART
BLUE LOCK and Concacaf Link Up for an Anime x Football Crossover
Concacaf just linked up with legendary Japanese publisher Kodansha for a first-of-its-kind collab with BLUE LOCK, the hit anime and manga series. The partnership brings together the worlds of anime and international football through exclusive content, limited-edition merch, and crossover activations running through 2026. With BLUE LOCK’s high-stakes energy and themes of ambition and teamwork, it’s a perfect match for the culture and intensity of the beautiful game in the CONCACAF region.
ON THE PITCH
Nike and Pumas release new kits for the 2025-26 season
Credit: Nike
Pumas just dropped their 2025-26 Home and Away kits, and they’re a clean nod to legacy. Inspired by the University’s deep roots and cultural heritage, the new designs bring fresh energy to the club’s iconic gold and blue. It’s a look that reps pride, history, and identity—on and off the pitch.
EVENT RECAP
From The Pit to the People: NYC Showed Out for the Steve Nash Showdown
Credit: Gavin Guidry
The Steve Nash Foundation Showdown returned to NYC’s Lower East Side, bringing street soccer energy to The Pit for a high-octane 5v5 match featuring a stacked lineup of basketball and soccer stars. Legends like Steve Nash, Edgar Davids, Ali Krieger, and Midge Purce took the pitch alongside rising talent, with a youth showcase hosted by Street FC setting the tone. The event blended sport, culture, and community, all in support of the Steve Nash Foundation’s mission to uplift underserved youth through health and education.
MOVES
Want to buy an MLS franchise? The Quakes are for sale.
John Fisher is selling the San Jose Earthquakes, marking a major shift for one of MLS’s founding clubs. After two decades under Fisher’s ownership, the team is officially on the market, opening the door for new leadership at a time when soccer’s value in the U.S. is climbing fast.
MORE MOVES
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is stepping into the Premier League, agreeing to buy a stake in Crystal Palace. The move brings more American money—and influence—into English football, as Johnson joins the growing list of U.S. investors betting big on the global game.
Tampa Bay Sun FC is leveling up in a big way. Fresh off their USL Super League title, the club just unveiled plans for one of the world’s first stadiums built specifically for a women’s pro soccer team. The 15,000-seat venue—set to anchor Tampa’s Ybor Harbor waterfront—will also house a boutique hotel and serve as the new headquarters for the USL. Backed by Tampa business leader Darryl Shaw, the project isn’t just about soccer—it’s about making women’s sports a permanent part of the city’s future.
PITCHSIDE
Check out our coverage of Gold Cup and Club World Cup through our Pitchside Series
Credit: Cameron Moon
The Brazilian teams came to the Club World Cup to put the world on notice. Botafogo took down the Champions League winners PSG in round 2 of the group stages at the Rose Bowl. Cameron Moon was pitchside to capture the match through his lens.
MORE PITCHSIDE GALLERIES
EVENTS
Upcoming Events for June 2025
ATLANTA
Kickoff USA Day Party
June 28th | 11am-4pm
West End Soccer Station
680 Lee St SW, Atlanta, GA 30306
Free RSVP
PHILLY
Saturday’s Football Pop-Up
June 26th - 29th | 10am to 7pm
Sunday: Noon to 5pm
Lapstone & Hammer
1106 Chestnut St. Philadelphia 19107
TORONTO
Darby Mag x Muddy George x Riot On The Terraces Pop-Up
June 18 – July 13
973 Bloor St. West
Cash only
CONCACAF
Gold Cup
June 14 - July 6th
FIFA
Club World Cup
June 14 - July 13
RECOMMENDED READING
|
GOOD FOLLOWS
@sportsgirlnyc - NYC-based sports content creator
@independent.frames - Austin-Based photographer and videographer