WEYMOUTH, Mass. – For the second year in a row, the U.S. Amputee Soccer Cup was held in New England, where the Revs’ own amputee team advanced to the championship match, finished as runners-up, and continued to grow the fanbase of amputee soccer. While the Revolution squad was disappointed not to bring home the trophy, it was hard to leave the pitch feeling anything but pride.
“This is the idea slash dream I had 10 years ago. To be doing this, be able to play at a high level, with so many different teams, it’s making everyone in the country better and it’s giving people something to train for,” said New England Amputee Soccer Association captain and co-founder, Nico Calabria regarding the competition at this year’s tournament. “More and more is going to keep happening in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. We’re moving in the right direction, for sure.”
The competition kicked off on Friday, September 12 at Weymouth High School, where the Revs wasted no time finding their way into the win column. It took only two minutes for Calabria to get on the scoreboard as they took the field against Chicago, ultimately rolling to a 5-1 win in the tournament’s opening match.
New England continued to climb the standings all weekend, with another big 3-1 win over Colorado-Columbus on Saturday afternoon. Continuing to gain momentum, they drew 1-1 with Metro New York in Sunday morning’s semifinal, and clinched a spot in the championship after a tense penalty shootout.
“We did good. We tried our best and we did make it to the final, we just couldn’t secure the goal. We did good. I think it was a really great opportunity to play and represent the Revs,” said Musabwa Nzirimwo, who scored a total of four goals for New England throughout the Cup.
In the final, New England – winners of the inaugural U.S. Amputee Cup in 2023 – faced reigning champions Miami. Despite their efforts, the Revs couldn’t find the net and fell 3-0, finishing the weekend as runners-up.
While performances and results do matter, the Revolution amputee players know that the tournament is currently about more than just the scoreboard. This third edition of the Cup was the largest and most competitive yet, and the excitement of watching the sport grow can feel just as rewarding as lifting a trophy.
From the first Cup featuring just four teams to this year’s six – plus the addition of a women’s showcase game – amputee soccer is gaining momentum. Events like the U.S. Amputee Soccer Cup continue to expand inclusivity in sports, and that’s something everyone can celebrate.
“We’re getting support, we’re getting momentum from the able-bodied community around us. They like to see us perform and play,” explained Vinny Fischer, who netted three goals for the Revolution over the weekend. “I hope it picks up more and more, and that they see us as a professional league, not just something to show support to, but that they’re encouraged to come and watch.”
