Passing Pattern - Vol 3 Launch @ Skyline Pitch

I was excited to attend the release of Passing Pattern Vol. 3. I love what these guys are doing—it’s the perfect mix of local and international perspectives on the beautiful game. The event took place at the stunning Skyline Pitch and featured free matches organized by Wolcott FC, vintage apparel curated by Crossbar, and music from Guesst. It was a perfect example of the cohesion within Chicago’s soccer community. 

I’ve been following Alex and Rohan’s work ever since I saw the Brandi Chastain Sports Bra poster for the Vol. 2 release on an electric box in my neighborhood. This time around, they’ve added a new contributor, Ernesto, rounding out the group of football narrators. Passing Pattern has been a consistent champion of inclusion and diversity—not only in football but also in writing about football. 

I asked Alex what he was most excited about in this volume, “What I'm most proud of is being able to realize my ambition of growing Passing Pattern into a proper magazine. This latest issue represents the ambitions of the project. We're building a strong team and a passionate community, which makes me excited for the future!” 

Ernesto also shared, “I’m pretty excited about the cábalas piece... because when I wrote it, my intention was to connect people to those multicultural traditions that hide in plain sight—especially today, when you’ve got folks policing other cultures.” I loved that too—though I had to look it up. Cábalas is Spanish for superstitions or rituals; for example, Cruyff used to spit his gum onto the opposition’s side before kickoff. I digress—but the graphics in that section would render incredible Passing Pattern sticky's.

This new volume is a great example of the work and passion Alex, Rohan, and Ernesto have invested. I’ve always been impressed by how they weave together so many different aspects of football—connecting Chicago to the wider world, past to present, and, if you open the first article in Vol. 3, even into the future.