Episode
Blind Soccer’s Rise in America
- Published
- Jun 21, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 122
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Summary
Charles Catherine, the lone pro blind soccer player in New York City and captain of the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team, is training hard for the 2028 Paralympics in LA — the first time the U.S. will send a team. Played with bells inside the ball and guided by audible cues, this unique sport originated in Brazil in the 1960s and became Paralympic in 2004. Though popular abroad, the U.S. program only began in 2018, facing hurdles like scarce fields and few players — especially in a city already short on space. Catherine, a former triathlete and marathoner who discovered blind soccer in 2019, now balances his athletic career with a VP role at the National Organization on Disability. He practices alone most days, but sees growing youth interest in adaptive sports — and believes early exposure is key to expanding the game. For him, soccer transformed his life, lifting depression and building community — and he’s convinced getting kids with disabilities into sports is vital for a more inclusive world. Support the show: Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/6e00e875f717e028