WEYMOUTH, Mass. – The U.S. Amputee Soccer Cup is returning to Massachusetts for the second year in a row. From September 12-14, the nation’s top amputee soccer athletes will compete at Weymouth High School in pursuit of the coveted trophy. The inaugural tournament in 2023 saw New England’s own lift the trophy and now, with amputee soccer growing across the country, the stage is set for the biggest and best U.S. Amputee Soccer Cup yet.
Just two years ago, the first U.S. Cup was held in Columbus, Ohio, with four teams competing for the title. Since then, the tournament has continued to grow. With five teams battling it out last year in Cambridge, Mass., the competition has continued to expand as six teams from across the country are slated to compete this weekend.
Hailing from New England, New York, Miami, Colorado-Columbus, Chicago, and Delaware, this year’s tournament will showcase the talent of the nation’s top amputee athletes, while continuing to grow the impact of inclusive sports.
“It just makes me really happy. The reason I love this game is the people you meet and the places you go, and we bring in people from all over the country and the world for this upcoming tournament,” said Revolution defender Will Sands, who has acted as the club’s ambassador to the New England Amputee Soccer Association since April of this year. “I’ve heard some comments about how tough the competition is going to be, but everyone seems up for the challenge.”
The New England Amputee Soccer Association began in 2018, co-founded by captain Nico Calabria, a driving force behind the sport’s growth in the region and across the country. Calabria has proudly represented the United States on amputee soccer’s biggest stages, encouraging athletes and fans alike with his leadership and passion.
It’s quite remarkable that just six years ago, the Revolution Amputee Team played its first match at Gillette Stadium. Since that historic debut, the team has steadily expanded, welcoming new players, building a fanbase, and earning the full support of the entire New England Revolution organization.
“It’s getting better each year, and I’m excited for the guys who don’t get very many competitive opportunities. If you’re not on the national team, these are really the games that you get to play,” explained Calabria. “I’m excited as an athlete, a player on the Revs, and as a person who is helping to grow amputee soccer, because it’s just gotten so much bigger.”
For the first time, this year’s tournament will also feature women’s amputee soccer matches, in addition to youth clinics, vendors, music, and food trucks.
“Sometimes, it’s a bit hard to believe that amputee soccer has gotten where it is. Just looking back at where it was when I started playing, there wasn’t anything at all. So, it’s awesome to see it come so far,” Calabria continued. “We’re starting to get different looks at different teams. Miami’s really strong. They’ve got two golden boot winners on their team from World Cups and Amputee Football. They’re an extremely strong team and they will be a great test for us.”
Last year, Miami raised the trophy, but the Revolution are gunning for a chance to reclaim the title. New England will kick off the tournament on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET as they face Chicago, following the opening ceremonies which begin an hour prior. Preliminary games will take place through Saturday, leading into Sunday with the Amputee Cup Final at 12:30 p.m. The full schedule can be found here. It’s a weekend of soccer you won’t want to miss.
