By Katie Mayock, Journalism Intern – Sports
The Pittsburgh Latin Soccer League is a highly anticipated summer soccer tournament where the Latino community gathers for a day full of exciting soccer matches every Sunday from June until November. The league has 16 teams and is played in a round-robin format–every team plays each other once. The teams bear a variety of names, from Las Palmas FC, after the local Pittsburgh business, to Real Madrid, inspired by the well-known professional team.
The league plays at the AHN Montour Sports Complex–where the Pittsburgh Riverhounds train–in Coraopolis. Coraopolis has a large Latino population, and the league has become a fundamental part of the social life of the town’s Latino residents. Many work Monday through Saturday and take advantage of Sundays to connect with their culture through enjoying a day full of soccer. Iván Ortiz, a member of reigning champion Las Palmas FC, describes the atmosphere during the matches as “spectacular”.
Although soccer is a unifying factor for different Latino communities, non-Latinos/Hispanics are also welcome to participate in this tournament. “Everyone is coming from all around,” said Armando Campos, lead commissioner for the league. “Everyone is welcome to play.”
The league also brings in people from out of town who come to enjoy the games, fill up on traditional Latino foods, and stock up on authentic Latin American imports. Among the people coming from out of town are well-known people in the world of soccer. Carlos Pavón, a Honduran soccer player who is considered the best player in the country’s history, was at the championship match on November 4th. In addition, Saúl Silva, a former referee in La Liga MX, supervised the matches.
Las Palmas FC beat Pittsburgh in the final, 2-0, despite Pittsburgh finishing the regular season in first place and with an undefeated record (15-0-0), while Las Palmas finished in fourth place. Las Palmas took home a $16,500 prize and will represent the league in the Delaware Super Cup 2025, which will be held on May 31st and June 1st, 2025. The Delaware Super Cup is considered to be the largest amateur soccer tournament in the United States.
The Pittsburgh Latin Soccer League is not only a soccer tournament, but a celebration of the Latino community, a space where the community comes together and shares its passion for sports, food, and culture.
