The 3 best cities for pick-up soccer {& 1 game you create yourself}

Ahhh – summer time! I know that many of you are traveling this summer. If you feel up to the challenge, I encourage you to check out the pick-up games in the areas you are visiting. Some of the best small-sided games I ever played came courtesy of pick-up soccer games. One great thing about soccer is it’s international so you can pick up and play regardless of the language or location. Here are 3 of my favorite U.S. cities for pick-up soccer – if you disagree, let me know on Facebook what city you think should have made the list.

#1 Palo Alto, CA

The great thing about Palo Alto is not only its host to great tech names and an awesome school but its culture is part-hipster, part-international, part-techie, part-student and BIG athletics. The soccer fields just past Stanford University on El Camino Real always have at least 70 people there at all times of day. The languages and playing styles are different but the game is always being played. You always know someone will be there, and the diversity represented means only that you understand others and yourself a little more. More often than not you realize you know who you’re playing against or with; once it was an ICU doctor who worked with my wife.

#2 New York, NY

Pick up games are especially big in NY. The great thing here is that pick-up soccer is its own subculture, with entire sites and scheduling apps devoted entirely to the game. It is also very diverse in its welcoming culture and has teams for both genders as well as co-ed games. In addition you will find the games are not limited to good weather as there are also indoor leagues in all parts of New York proper and the surrounding areas.

#3 Indianapolis, IN

I think for anyone who has not been to Indianapolis you might be surprised they made the list but Indy is HUGE for pick-up soccer. In addition to regular meetups there seems to be a constant push toward even more soccer, with new start-ups vying for first place in scheduling / being in-the-know. Soccer is big in Indy and only growing; finding a game for any level of play or age group is easy and while competitive, they keep it fun.

Where to find pick-up soccer in America

If none of these cities are on your visiting list this summer or fall, you have the option to find out more about the soccer culture in your area by using great websites such as pickupsoccer.meetup.com; if you still can’t find what you’re looking for then try calleunderground.com, the site that lets you send out a notice that you’re looking for a pickup game and ask others to sign up. They’ll even let you post ahead of time.

Have fun and respect the game

Simple rules: have fun, respect the game and others, and be open to learning. I can assure you that the game you know at your level in your location will look different in another place but try it and you’ll find that you grow as a person and a player.