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The Weston McKinnie Dilemma, Daring to Dream and your new favorite soccer drinking game
Welcome to the latest issue of The Forty-One Life newsletter, This week our guy Anthony Ledgeyard breaks down his thoughts on the “Weston to MLS” rumors that were circulating earlier this summer, We preview Max Ornstil’s Dare to Dream short film and put you on to your new favorite soccer drinking game + more as we continue to bring you unique stories and news at the cross section of creativity, lifestyle and culture from around the CONCACAF region.
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On Tap This Week
FEATURE
Europe vs The States: Weston’s MLS rumor causes a divide.
Written by Anthony Ledgyard
One of the reasons football is called “The Beautiful Game” is the many ways that it has brings excitement to its fans. Last minute goals, derby wins, jaw dropping free kicks, unpredictable upsets, are just few examples. On June 20th , I found another as an FC Cincinnati fan. I would login to twitter to see that my home team had a stunning transfer link to my favorite USMNT player, Weston McKennie, from the Italian giant Juventus FC.
At first, I thought the rumor was bogus. This is a great player still developing as he enters his prime years. Weston is coming off a mixed season with Juventus. He made 35 appearances in Serie A, contributing five goals and three assists from the midfield and securing the teams 15th Coppa Italia…However, with Juventus undergoing tactical shifts with a new coach among other squad changes, McKinnie’s role has become less defined, leading to increased speculation about his future.
ART
Former Pro Max Ornstil releases short film about the ending of his professional career
Dare to Dream is a story that is very close to my heart and represents the end of one dream and the beginning of another. As a kid, all I aspired to be was a professional football player and I worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Through a long journey as detailed in the film, I ultimately got to live out some of my wildest childhood dreams. But as my career ended sooner than I had hoped, I had the choice of being bitter about what I didn't get to do or grateful for the dreams I was able to achieve.
This film was an opportunity for me to choose gratitude in reflecting on my professional football career and remind myself of how happy and proud the younger version of me would be to find out about the dreams that he gets to live out in his future. The film also alludes to the opening of new chapters, finding new purpose and passion as a creative and co-founder of NEIGHBORHOOD SPORTS CLUB.
-Max Ornstil
Accolades:
Selection at New York Indie Short Awards, San Francisco International Film Awards, Toronto International Nollywood Film Awards, Hollywood ShortsFest
Winner of Best Inspirational Film at Top Shorts Film Festival and Best Narrative Short & Best Director at San Francisco International Film Awards
ON THE PITCH
Michael B. Jordan designs new Bournemouth kit
AFC Bournemouth has unveiled their first product line in collaboration with club owner, actor, director, and producer Michael B. Jordan, which will serve as the club's pre-season kits for the upcoming US tour in California.
The 'Black Panther' and 'Creed' star has been a minority shareholder in the club since Bill Foley's takeover in 2022. Jordan designed the kits, which are manufactured by Umbro, the club's kit maker since 2017.
Two special edition kits in the club's iconic red and black colors have an eye-catching interlocking cherry pattern. Each piece in the collection will include an exclusive MBJ x AFCB tag, indicating the collaboration with Michael and his Outlier Society Ventures.
The limited-edition Umbro AFC Bournemouth 2024-2025 MBJ pre-season black and MBJ pre-season red football shirts are available from July 20, with the Adult-sized kit retailing at £85 GBP ($110)
Admiral and JPL celebrate Jamaican culture with new kits
Admiral and the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) unveiled a collection of iconic team kits to commemorate Jamaican football's vibrant spirit ahead of the 2024/2025 season. These jerseys, created by local artist Dwayne Jureidini, capture the essence of each club by intricately weaving together their individual stories and cultural heritage.
A fusion of art and sports. The Admiral "What Makes Champions…What Makes The Jersey" project aims to preserve the captivating stories of the JPL and its clubs. This project aims to revolutionize the league's visual identity by creating bespoke player team kits for the top six JPL teams, all of whom have won the JPL title.
CHARLY drops new Liga MX kits for 2024/25 season
CHARLY, a leading soccer brand established in Mexico City in 1949 and with its US headquarters in Irvine, announced its 2024/25 Liga MX collection for its five clubs – Atlas, León, Xolos, Pachuca, and Santos Laguna.
To learn more about CHARLY, visit charly.com. To shop the Liga MX collections, visit charly.com, Fanatics, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
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STYLE
photo credit: Gabe Nava
“Like with everything I do, the epitome of this shoot was to evoke a feeling of nostalgia. I think as football fans we can all say we remember the original yellow T90 Laser and how impactful those boots came to be. The Total 90 line has always made me feel connected to the sport of football on an artistic and creative level—placing me right at the heart of the mid 2000s.
Photo Credit: Gabe Nava
As a Y2K baby this was what I grew up with and as luck would have it, the famed Kill Bill: Volume 1 would release right around the same time. This felt like a seemingly natural combination of the equally iconic & striking style moments of the film, along with the already cutting edge design of anything T90. In short, this could be seen as a completely representation of the prime of my youth.“
-Gabe Nava
GAMES
GIVE&GO: Your new favorite Soccer drinking game
Photo Credit: GIVE&GO Games
GIVE&GO Games, a dynamic soccer card game company, announces the launch of its flagship product, GIVE&GO, designed for both the casual enthusiast and the die-hard soccer fan. With an innovative blend of quick thinking, wit, and a dash of humor, GIVE&GO transforms the on-field excitement into off-field revelry.
At GIVE&GO Games, we believe in fostering camaraderie and sparking conversations among soccer aficionados of all ages. Our first product drop is and ode to how this all began; a few friends coming together to create a soccer card drinking game that was simple, fun, and easy-to-learn. Most importantly it became a way for us to bring people together and spark discussion around the sport we love.
Our collection will include a suite of uniquely designed and licensable products that promise to delight fans worldwide. Through collaborations with soccer content creators, brands, and local businesses, we're not just building games; we're building connections around the sport we live and breathe.
Get 10% off of your purchase with code: WHEREVERYOUGO
OUTSIDE
GIVE&GO x Football Boutique game night in LA
CATCH A VIBE
Xavi is creating his own lane in Latin Music
Xavi, a 19 year old rising star in Mexico's music industry, captures the nation's dynamic spirit through his innovative blend of pop, reggaeton, and regional Mexican sounds.
Born Joshua Xavier Gutiérrez, the Phoenix and Sonora, Mexico, raised artist claims that his bicultural upbringing had a significant impact on his music, which combines Mexican corridos traditions with current rhythms.
Xavi’s songs, including "No Me Conoces" and "La Vida Es Un Carnaval," mirror the flair and resilience of Mexico’s national soccer team. El Tri is celebrated for their strategic and passionate play, qualities that are also evident in Xavi’s music. His tracks resonate with the same energy and determination that the team brings.
For fans, Xavi’s music offers a vibrant connection to Mexico’s cultural heartbeat. He coins his style tumbados romanticos, a sub-genre he credits to his upbringing on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
Xavi Essentials:
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