Imperfect Paradise: From immigrant roots to celebrities, how LA became a soccer city

Imperfect Paradise: From immigrant roots to celebrities, how LA became a soccer city

From California Love (old feed) by LAist Studios

June 12, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

The episode explores Los Angeles' rich history with soccer, highlighting its immigrant roots and celebrity connections as the city prepares for the FIFA World Cup.

Los Angeles is hosting eight matches for this year’s FIFA World Cup. Today, LA is home to three professional soccer teams and one of the biggest soccer youth organizations in the nation, but did you know its history with soccer goes back over a century? With the world cup at our doorstep, LAist correspondent Adolfo Guzman-Lopez traces LA’s relationship with soccer, from its celebrity scene to its immigrant roots. Check out more of Adolfo’s reporting and LAist’s World Cup guide at LAist.com/WorldCup Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

People in this episode

Host: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez

Topics covered

  • soccer
  • Los Angeles
  • immigrant roots
  • celebrity culture
  • FIFA World Cup

Keywords

  • soccer
  • Los Angeles
  • FIFA World Cup
  • immigrants
  • celebrities
  • professional teams
  • youth organizations

Sponsors

Shopify

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LAist

Places: Los Angeles

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