5 Reasons to Play Soccer in Fort Collins
Far away from the bright lights and multi-tiered stadiums of European soccer folklore, the sport finds a home nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Although not America’s pastime, soccer has slowly risen up the popularity charts within the nation as the game has continued to expand worldwide. Thanks greatly in part to the ease of access, Fort Collins and the surrounding Northern Colorado areas are certainly no exception to this. Year-round, Fort Collins provides both avid and beginner players with numerous opportunities to get touches on the ball, so here’s a few reasons why you should get out and find a pitch in town near you!
- The People
Colorado is known to be home to some of the country’s most relaxed, easygoing, and welcoming individuals. This environment of sociable residents translates directly to the soccer fields.
The first place to look for these amiable athletes? The Fort Collins Soccer Facebook group is home to over 800 members, all ranging from various skill and experience levels, ages, and backgrounds. The group participates in pick-up soccer games at several parks throughout the area and are always welcome to anyone! Additionally, they typically see several new members joining each week, meaning there’s no bad time for your first time.
Local youth and adult leagues are also full of fair and fun-oriented players and referees that are guaranteed to make any season enjoyable!
2. The Altitude
For the vast majority of American’s, exercise is just exercise. However, here in Fort Collins the activity alone just isn’t enough. The oxygen, or lack thereof, that comes along with the roughly 5,000-feet above sea level altitude of the city means that every cleated step you take is that much more beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing.
Who doesn’t love burning a few, or even a few hundred, more calories for the same amount of work? Kicking the ball around with other friendly, likeminded players is of great enjoyment on the surface already. Thanks to increased barometric pressure and thinner air here in Northern Colorado, the perks of exercise come even more “naturally”.
3. The Scenery
Soccer, being such a simple sport, typically requires only a round ball and a surface to play on. The ease of access to the sport is one of the major factors in its global success.
However, as is customary, Fort Collins blesses its soccer players with something a little extra. The beautiful parks filled with lush greenery and open spaces would be plenty sufficient on their own for any kick-around. With that being said, there’s not much on this planet quite like scoring a goal during a casual, yet competitive game with your fellow Coloradans and looking up to see a wide intense orange-and-pink sunset fading below the jagged horizon lines created by Rocky Mountain foothills.
Typically, to find soccer on a stage with such grandiose stands in the background you have to be Lionel Messi playing in the shadows of the famous Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Or you could be in Fort Collins, Colorado playing at a park.
4. The Availability
Whether you’re new to town or a longtime FOCO resident, it’s never necessary to look too far to find soccer.
For any prospective player, the first place to turn is the aforementioned Fort Collins Soccer Facebook group. Participating in pick-up games typically each Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM, and Tuesday and Thursday at 5 PM, this group is essential to anyone with an interest in fun and friendly competition.
If you’re more in search of organized teams and leagues, Fort Collins and the surrounding Northern Colorado area certainly won’t sell you short. The Edge Sports Center, located in Fort Collins, is the home of the largest indoor field in the area, as well as numerous indoor leagues that operate year-round. From adult leagues for varying age groups and skill disciplines, to youth leagues for children as young as five years of age, everyone can find their spot at The Edge. For even more indoor league options, check out Integrity Sports Arena, also in Northern Colorado, but found just down the road from Fort Collins in Windsor.
Finally, if the sport of soccer is your thing, but playing it isn’t, Fort Collins and the surrounding area recently announced big news for any fútbol fan: the new Northern Colorado FC will be bringing the professional game to town! “Kicking-off” their inaugural season in 2022, NOCO FC will participate in the United States Soccer League One, the third-tier of American professional soccer. Home games will be held at the in-construction Future Legends Complex in nearby Windsor.
Whether you prefer to be on the field or in the stands, the game of soccer is always close by in Fort Collins.
5. The Fun
As the world’s most popular sport, there’s no question that soccer has shown to be humanity’s first choice game. Soccer allows people to discover an outlet. The sport gives its players momentary respite from all the troubles and concerns they may face off the pitch. It is the universal game with its own universal language.
This universality of the game is part of what makes it so enjoyable, and this aspect is very apparent with the diverse melting pot of players in Fort Collins. Pass the ball to the left and there’s a smiling face from Yemen, to the right and there’s another from Peru. The diplomacy that occurs between different backgrounds on the soccer field here in Fort Collins should be noted by the world’s leaders.
I can personally attest there is nothing quite like the unbridled joy experienced by playing soccer in Fort Collins. Running through the fresh Rocky Mountain air, with green grass below rubber studs and the ball under control, you’re surrounded by 20 or so otherwise unrelated strangers that immediately become best friends whenever stepping foot on the pitch. This is what makes soccer in Fort Collins so special.
