Drive north from New York City into the Hudson Valley to New York Military Academy, where most buildings have fallen into disrepair and only a few dozen students remain. After dark, the campus feels uneasy, with boarded-up faculty and staff housing and a forlorn soccer field. The field has historical importance because Donald Trump took early steps toward becoming a widely described “soccer president.” Trump was in office in 2018 when the U.S., Canada, and Mexico were awarded the 2026 World Cup, and he is expected to be in office when the tournament begins. He has hosted club teams at the White House, presented the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea, and drawn attention through public appearances involving major soccer figures.
"Drive north from New York City and into the Hudson valley. Take Exit 17 and follow Route 7 as it heads south along the river, past the abandoned shipyard and the aptly named Cadet Motel. Hang a left after a few miles, wind up a long driveway and you'll arrive at New York Military Academy. It's open, barely. Hundreds of students used to attend this place, but that number has dwindled to a few dozen; most of the 50 or so buildings on campus have fallen into disrepair and many seem entirely abandoned."
"A bit further down the main drive, past the boarded-up houses where faculty and staff used to live, there's a forlorn soccer field. The school hasn't fielded a team for years, but this place holds some importance. On it, Donald Trump took some of his first steps toward becoming what some have called the United States' first soccer president. It's a title affixed to Trump in no small part because he was in office in 2018 when the US, along with Canada and Mexico, was awarded the 2026 World Cup."
"Somewhat unexpectedly, he'll also be in office when the tournament kicks off this summer. He has welcomed international and domestic club teams to the White House and presented the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea last summer before awkwardly lingering around on stage. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi have all visited with Trump; the latter was made into wallpaper while Trump went on a rant about the war in Iran. Fifa's president Gianni Infantino at times seems glued to the US president."
"It's debatable whether Trump truly cares about the sport itself or simply likes the attention it brings him. But it's a fact that in 1963/64, his senior year of high school at NYMA, Trump played on the school's soccer team. Peter Ticktin, a teammate of Trump's who sometimes describes himself as Trump's best f"
Read at www.theguardian.com
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