New Community Pitch Launch in the South Bronx: EA SPORTS FC and LALIGA in partnership with South Bronx United

BRONX, NY — May 19. In partnership with EA SPORTS FC (FC FUTURES), LALIGA, and love.fútbol, South Bronx United joined the unveiling of a newly constructed, state-of-the-art community soccer pitch at P.S./M.S. 31 The William Lloyd Garrison School in the heart of the Bronx, on May 6th. This initiative goes beyond infrastructure, pairing the new facility with a multi-year academic and football development program designed to empower local youth both on and off the field.

Central to the partnership is South Bronx United’s holistic approach to youth development, which will guide the delivery of long-term educational programming, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.

“It’s important, in these kinds of places in America, to provide young people with the opportunity to play together, and this pitch is a fantastic way to help them develop as human beings as well as soccer players,” said Patrick Kluivert. “I can only support these initiatives; I grew up playing on concrete, and now they have a proper pitch. It’s fantastic.”

Jorge de la Vega, LALIGA’s Executive Director of Business, added: “The FC FUTURES initiative reflects our belief that the future of soccer is built from the grassroots level up. This project in New York is especially meaningful because it brings together access to sport, long-term community impact, and a strong local identity.”

The grand opening was marked by a community event at P.S./M.S. 31, featuring youth clinics led by SBU coaches, alongside representatives from EA SPORTS and LALIGA, signaling the start of a new chapter for soccer in the Bronx.

“My hope is that every student who steps onto this field leaves not just a better athlete, but a more confident, determined, and hopeful young person,” said Katina Yesnick, principal of the William Lloyd Garrison School. “Because this pitch is not just about soccer, it’s about building futures.”