THE SOCCER TOUR LAUNCHES WITH 34-WEEK ROAD TRIP OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Soccer enthusiast Steven Bernasconi to spend 2017 on a cross-continent tour to experience games in all 22 major league markets, film and produce soccer-themed travelogue

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- Lifelong soccer fan Steven Bernasconi is loading his belongings into a van as he prepares to spend the next eight months on the road, embarking on a North American road trip to experience the continent’s diverse soccer culture and chronicle his journey.

Throughout the 20,000 mile trip, called The Soccer Tour, Bernasconi will interact with people closest to the sport to film and produce a travelogue as well as create digital content that tells the stories of the continent’s clubs — large and small — and the network of people that have built, and continue to grow, the World’s Game in our backyards.

The Soccer Tour leaves Fort Lauderdale in late February and wraps up October 15 in Los Angeles. The trip is the first of its kind.

“The Soccer Tour is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to combine my love of soccer with a journey to explore the U.S. and Canada,” said Bernasconi. “Domestic soccer has established itself across all levels over the last few years and I’m eager to witness its development in cities coast to coast. This trip is about gaining perspective, meeting the interesting people in the American soccer ethos and sharing their stories.”

Bernasconi, 25, is the former director of media and communications for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional soccer team. During his six years in the industry, he has developed meaningful relationships with colleagues, media, fans, and players across the soccer world.

The Soccer Tour schedule is centered on watching a professional soccer game in each of the 22 major league markets in the U.S. and Canada. The schedule can be viewed here.

Bernasconi will also visit teams, fans, and matches from the other soccer leagues in the country, including Women’s Professional Soccer and the lower divisions of the men’s game.

Part road trip, part soccer travelogue, and part vandwelling experiment, The Soccer Tour relies on the network of contacts that Bernasconi has built, as well as the support from fans of the project across the U.S. and Canada.

“The concept of The Soccer Tour has resonated with many in the soccer community, and I am humbled by their interest and backing,” said Bernasconi. “Despite being a complete stranger, fellow soccer enthusiasts from all over have reached out to lend their assistance and expertise to the project, even offering a warm meal or a place to stay when I am in town. The initial support received is a testament to the close-knit community the sport has fostered here.”

Funding for The Soccer Tour will come from Bernasconi, with additional financial support through patrons of the project on website Patreon. Followers can make a modest financial pledge per month to make The Soccer Tour possible and receive unique and exclusive rewards in the process. Click here to find out more about Patreon.

An integral part of The Soccer Tour is the collaborative nature of the project. Anyone interested in helping out or participating is encouraged to contact Bernasconi here.

Those who wish to keep up with the tour can follow @TheSoccerTour on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Videos will be uploaded to The Soccer Tour’s YouTube channel. Additional information and answers to frequently asked questions can all be found on thesoccertour.com.