Connor Attinella, a six‑year‑old from Tampa Bay, has been watching the World Cup with wide‑eyed fascination, dreaming of the day he might guard a net just like his father, Jeff Attinella, who once wore the same jersey in professional soccer.
A Family’s Soccer Legacy
Jeff Attinella hopes the global spectacle will spark a new generation of young fans, encouraging his children and other kids to fall in love with the sport while the tournament’s popularity continues to rise across the United States.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have turned that momentum into action, organizing a series of World Cup watch parties that double as community gatherings, where children can meet players, learn basic skills, and discover the joy of reading through the Score With Stories program.
Growing the Game from the Ground Up
Jahmali Waite, the Rowdies’ goalkeeper, says the tournament’s success in the U.S. underscores a pivotal moment for American soccer, and the club plans to keep the watch‑party tradition alive as long as the U.S. team keeps advancing.
Partnering with local groups such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Tampa Bay, the Rowdies aim to blend literacy and sport, giving kids a holistic experience that extends beyond the pitch and into the classroom.