How Bodegas and Block Parties Teach Us to Be Better Soccer Players
Who’s dropping by The Chopped Cheese Classic this Saturday? Credit: @choppedcheeseclassic
What do bodegas, block parties, and soccer teams have in common?
They're all built on community. They thrive off crowds. And they know how to triumph when the pressure is on.
On Saturday, July 12, the first-ever Chopped Cheese Classic kicks off at McCarren Park. The Chopped Cheese Classic isn’t just a soccer tournament. It’s a borough-wide tribute to the corner stores that keep NYC running, wrapped in the adrenaline of 7-a-side footy and served with a side of block party beats. With all the excitement surrounding this action-packed day, it’s easy to forget there are life lessons bodegas and block parties teach us that direclty apply to the soccer pitch.
🗽 Bodegas: The Heartbeat of the City
If you’ve lived in NYC long enough, you know your local bodega better than your own extended family. The guy behind the counter knows your snack order, your hangover cure, and your weird brand of seltzer. He probably gave you credit once when you forgot your wallet. Bodegas are more than stores—they’re lifelines. Refuge during late-night cravings, go-to spots for emergency Advil, and yes, a place to gather neighborhood gossip and watch cats roaming the aisles provide much-needed relief in the city that never sleeps. If you’re team is giving you the comforting feels like your local bodega, it’s time to cut ties.
⚽ Soccer: The People's Game
Soccer doesn’t ask for much. A ball, some space, and a will to win. It’s the world’s most democratic sport—no expensive gear, no country club required. Just like a good chopped cheese, it’s accessible, satisfying, and somehow always better when shared.
The Chopped Cheese Classic celebrates that ethos. The tournament’s street-style format—7-a-side, co-ed, all-boroughs—mirrors the pick-up games we grew up with, but with higher stakes and way more flavor.
🎉 Why a Soccer Tournament Is the Perfect Showcase
Pairing local bodegas with a city-wide soccer tournament isn’t just clever—it’s perfect. It puts the spotlight on two of the city’s most unshakable institutions: small businesses and the beautiful game.
It’s borough pride on display.
It’s teamwork fueled by neighborhood rivalries.
It’s a pitch full of culture, grit, and homegrown legends.
And when the final whistle blows? The celebration spills into a full-on block party on Richardson Street. DJs, food vendors, streetwear drops, and a mobile soccer museum parked on the curb. This isn’t just another event—it’s a reminder of what NYC does best: community, creativity, chaos (the good kind), and homegrown street food classics.
✨ Show Up, Rep Hard, Eat Well
Whether you’re lacing up or just pulling up, the Chopped Cheese Classic is a chance to root for the real NYC. The bodega owners, the local players, the weekend warriors, and the neighborhood kids who’ll grow up thinking this was normal (and it should be).