{"id":5061566,"date":"2023-02-28T03:12:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T03:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/illatinonews.com\/?p=5061566"},"modified":"2023-02-28T03:12:05","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T03:12:05","slug":"latino-soccer-leagues-help-steer-youth-away-from-violence-in-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/illn\/2023\/02\/28\/latino-soccer-leagues-help-steer-youth-away-from-violence-in-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"Latino Soccer Leagues\u00a0help\u00a0steer youth away from violence in Chicago<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cRun!\u201d \u201cKick!\u201d \u201cPass it!,\u201d shouted the players of the Cosmos and Club Marquenze teams during the game of the Latino Soccer League in Humboldt Park. The crowd cheered every time they scored goals, and there was an atmosphere of fun, community and sportsmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match ended with a 10-4 victory for Club Marquenze. However, this league is about more than scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Latino Soccer League gathers more than 20 teams every weekend at the Miguel A. Barreto Boys and Girls Club in Humboldt Park, a space where people share their passion for soccer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the goals is to help young people steer clear of violence and the dangers of Chicago’s streets,said Ferm\u00edn Ju\u00e1rez, owner and director of the soccer league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ju\u00e1rez, highlighted the importance of sports for young people, learning values such as discipline that team organizers consider fundamental for  personal growth and development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“With soccer, I have kept my sons and other young people entertained in something so that their minds don’t go down another path, and it fills me with satisfaction to see many guys like my sons fulfilled,” Ju\u00e1rez said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicago youth are among the prime victims of crimes and shooting deaths each year. However, while some of the city’s young people are plunged into violence, others escape it thanks to soccer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ra\u00fal Hern\u00e1ndez, 55, is <\/strong>one of the players on the Cosmos team, a participant in the amateur league. He stressed that “the sport is very good and helps young people a lot because they avoid being in gangs.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Latino Soccer League has both male and female categories and players starting at 16 years old can participate. Although in its beginnings the league was made up only of Latino players, it now includes people from different cultures and races, promoting respect and team spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing soccer and participating in competitions has also benefited young people in other aspects of their lives since it creates the habit of doing a physical activity that is healthy for their body and mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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