Rhode Island's Hidden Soccer Legacy

Providence News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 27, 2026 · 1m

Rhode Island’s soccer legacy runs deep—thanks to immigrant workers in textile mills who turned Sundays into soccer Sundays, fueled by Massachusetts’ blue laws. A new exhibit, “How Immigrants Became Icons,” traces how Portuguese, Italian, British, and even Black pioneers shaped the game, with artifacts donated by local families. And yes, Rhode Island-born Bert Patenaude scored the first World Cup hat trick. Don’t miss this tribute to global icons forged right here, running through Labor Day. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on…