Inspiration: Panyee FC

Inspiration: Take it to the Next Level

Still can't get over how powerful this ad was that released in 2008 for the European Championships. This is the full length director's cut featuring some moments that obviously needed to be cut to shorten the commercial. Take another look and enjoy.

Inspiration: Brickell Roof Top Soccer

I made a great discovery tonight. I was watching the Celtics lay down another beating on the Miami Heat when I noticed something on the television broadcast. During the segment where they thank their sponsors against a backdrop of the city, I noticed what looked to be a soccer field on a rooftop. I looked at my roommate who was watching the game with me and said "Dude, that was a soccer field on the roof." He didn't believe me obviously, so after he left they showed the same backdrop and I snapped a photo of the TV.

With a simple google search I quickly found the website for Brickell Roof Top Soccer. This facility features 2 fenced-in pitches on the mid-level roof of the Rivergate Plaza in Brickell. Both are standard indoor soccer sized fields with FieldTurf meeting the highest FIFA rating. The fields feature lights for evening and late night leagues running as late as 2 AM. Walls are padded for protection and nets keep balls from nailing innocent bystanders below. Men's and women's locker rooms with saunas are a nice feature that most indoor fields never have. Lastly, there is a lounge area with plenty of seating, HD televisions, and free wi-fi. All of this makes for the most unique facility I have seen so far in the states.

I hope that I can visit this facility someday and have the pleasure of playing a few games. For $100-120 you can rent one of the fields for one hour. Not a bad price considering if you have 12-15 guys your looking at paying less than $10. The experience itself of playing under the lights on a roof top overlooking the city of Miami is worth the price. This is exactly the kind of unique atmosphere I hope to create with Pitch Black. A spot that players from all across the country wish they could play at someday.

Inspiration: Scorpion Tournament

The secret scorpion tournament was a Nike advertising campaign that ran during the 2002 World Cup costing around $100 million dollars. It included a series of ads featuring 8 fantasy teams made up with 24 of the top footballers at the time.

I have always considered the possibility of trying to work with Nike in the creation of Pitch Black. By constructing a street court for Portland players to visit they would be able to promote the brand through the unique experience and atmosphere. Having a boot room featuring the latest Nike5 shoes would be a bonus. Nike ads have always been more about telling product stories rather than showcasing product features, and Pitch Black would be no different. Maintaining that "cool" factor is what Nike does best and it keeps consumers brand loyal. Who wouldn't want to play on a court that was sponsored and promoted by Nike? Let me know what you think about this idea and any other features you would like to see at Pitch Black.

Inspiration: Court Types

Inflatable courts, rooftop fields, and urban cages. There are so many options when it comes to building a small sided pitch. My vision for Pitch Black may be different than all these photos, but these courts still inspire me to step outside the box and create a special venue for Portland area soccer players.

Inspiration: Brooklyn FC

I stumbled upon the website for Brooklyn FC a few months back when I was looking for modern soccer facilities. Obviously this indoor center hasn't been built yet, but if it turns out anything like the concept art shows, it will be a special place to play. They created the website to generate interest in the project and to conduct market research. I figured I could use a similar approach by starting this blog as a means of getting my ideas written down in a format that people could view and comment on. I hope to have some concept art posted soon that will illustrate my vision for a street soccer court here in Portland.

"Brooklyn F.C. is a New York City indoor soccer arena mixing the best of sport, lifestyle, and technology."

Inspiration: Thirsty Lion 3v3

During the summer of 2009 on the streets of downtown Portland I got my introduction to competitive street soccer. A collaboration between UNEEK Projects and The Thirsty Lion Pub brought a 3v3 street soccer tournament to town. I found out about the tournament online and quickly called up my friends from the University of Oregon. The tournament schedule was poorly organized, but when we did make it on the court it was an unreal experience.

Team Pelada: Tournament Champions

The crowd at the event was always quite large. There were two fields being played on within the closed street block outside the pub. Both courts always had a full ring of spectators lining the plywood boards that were used to construct the walls.

It was once it got dark that the event became a surreal experience. It was a beautiful Saturday night and the regular bar hoppers started filling the streets. A DJ was doing his thing on top of a old army truck adjacent to the fields. Lights beamed down on the courts attracting people to the scene from nearby pubs. The crowd was no longer a single ring around the walls. People poured out of The Thirsty Lion with drinks in hand and their focus directed towards the court. Every time someone pulled off a trick the crowd would erupt in cheers. Many of these people were probably not fans of soccer, but that night they drank and enjoyed the event. Watching the raw talent and creativity on the court was something they had probably never seen before. I had the opportunity to play in the Semi-Final in front of the crowd. It was the must captive crowd I have ever played for.

If I can recreate the atmosphere that I experienced outside Thirsty Lion that night I am confident it can be a successful court/pub. A place where anyone can come watch a different brand of soccer being played by some of the best players in the city. Where a young aspiring player can make a name for themselves by showcasing their skills and love for the game.

The tournament took place again this year at Pioneer Square in July. I was unfortunately unable to attend due to the Timbers U-23s conference playoffs in Kitsap, WA. Once again it was a very successful event for the city of Portland. Here is a video of the 2010 3v3 tournament.