CASA Soccer League
Despite limited games during the COVID pandemic, varsity’s season started strong. The chemistry among players is apparent, as is the maturity of these seniors.
The future for CASA looks bright. The league is expanding its women’s and coed divisions, and Bair hopes to connect the company with amateur soccer leagues in other cities.
CASA is the largest amateur soccer league in the United States
At 7 pm on a Thursday, a soccer field in South Philadelphia begins to come alive. People start to lug in their gear, greeting each other with hugs or fist bumps as they put on their cleats and shin guards. Many of them are members of the same team, Oaklyn United, which is a part of CASA, the largest amateur soccer league in the country. The club was created to give adult players of all backgrounds and skill levels a place to play. It has seven 11v11 divisions and a variety of 7v7 and 5v5 leagues for adults who want to play in a competitive environment.
CASA’s success results from its focus on giving back to the community. The organization partners with local organizations and gives scholarships to students in the area. In addition, the organization provides free equipment for those who need it. This helps to keep participation costs low for everyone. It also helps to create a sense of belonging in the community.
In addition to its local programs, CASA is expanding its reach nationally. It is partnering with US Youth Soccer to help support its local clubs. This collaboration will allow the two organizations to work together to ensure that boys and girls are introduced to the game of soccer in developmentally age-appropriate ways.
One of the most critical aspects of CASA is its commitment to coaching education. The organization is a leading provider of coaching courses, including the LaLiga Formation Methodology Level 3. This training is essential for both new and experienced coaches.
CASA offers a limited-season option for those who don’t have the time to commit to playing for an entire season. These leagues are great for meeting new people and trying out different teams. For those who are more serious about their soccer, CASA has a system of promotion and relegation that allows the best teams to compete against each other.
The men’s league in Philadelphia is divided into six divisions, with the top team in each getting promoted to the subsequent division. The Kelly Cup, named after a former CASA board member, culminates each fall and spring season.
Nolan Bair’s’ life project.’
As he looks to the future of CASA, Bair envisions expansion in Philadelphia and beyond. He thinks it’s possible that a women’s league and coed division could be added shortly. He also hopes to see clubs from South Jersey join the company, so they can play games in their hometowns. In addition, he hopes to create a cup tournament that includes all six divisions of the men’s league.
Bair says he wants to connect CASA with amateur soccer leagues around the country and even Europe. He says this will help the company grow and improve its level of competition. He likens it to Sunday leagues in England, where players can have fun while still taking their game seriously. He says that a promotion and relegation system would benefit society.
The league’s expansion
A few of the city’s premier amateur soccer clubs have joined CASA this spring. FC SouthHouse and FC Misconduct, which took their name from a local South Philly bar, are perennial prime contenders for the Kelly Cup in Philadelphia’s Primera Division. Their rosters feature players from several colleges and universities, including Colonial SC, Drexel, and Indiana U. Outside of soccer, they enjoy long walks with their rescue dogs and good glasses of scotch.
Both teams are competing in a new Casa division that will provide a path to the EPSL, a regional league that occupies the fifth tier of the American soccer pyramid. This will allow them to compete in state and national cup competitions. The champion of the new Casa division will be eligible to earn a promotion to the EPSL, while the runner-up will play in a promotion playoff against the second-from-the-bottom EPSL team.
Although CASA’s primary focus is the Philadelphia area, it has expanded into other parts of the country. The league currently has ten teams and is overgrowing. This growth is because the institution provides affordable, high-quality soccer competitions for both men and women. It also offers flexible scheduling to accommodate the needs of individual clubs and players.
CASA’s future
Founded in 2005, CASA is dedicated to providing the opportunity for all people to enjoy soccer. The league, which spans from Boston to South Jersey and Philadelphia, is made up of more than 16,000 members. It partners with local communities to provide the resources and support needed for the players to thrive.
In addition to soccer, the organization focuses on community development and provides a safe space for children and adults to express themselves. This unique approach makes the league a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. It also strives to develop leadership and work ethic through soccer training. It hopes to eventually expand its programs nationwide.
Bair has been involved with the club for five years and has seen it evolve into his “life project.” It is a busy time for him, as he manages three teams while running a full-time job and overseeing the program’s expansion. He believes the league has much to offer its current and future members.
Another of Bair’s goals is to build a stronger connection with the city’s immigrant communities through soccer. This is one of the reasons he created the Neighborhood Cup, an international soccer tournament that celebrates Philadelphia’s diversity and brings together soccer clubs from all over the world.
The inaugural tournament occurred in the summer of 2018 and included 20 teams from Kensington to South Philly. The teams competed against each other in a round-robin format and played two games each. The winning team won the championship trophy.
While there are many challenges to running a sports league, Bair and his staff are optimistic about the organization’s future. He says he hopes to expand the partnership by offering more opportunities for players and coaches. He would also like to connect the league with amateur soccer leagues in other cities.
The Harrisburg-York branch of CASA recently announced a partnership with Soccer Shots, a nationally recognized intro to the soccer program. The partnership will help ensure that kids in the Harrisburg area can access soccer. In addition, it will establish a player pipeline for CASA’s soccer programs once the kids outgrow Soccer Shots.
