NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Merlin Hernandez is the founder of the New Orleans Cup. New Orleans Cup began six years ago in 2019, after Merlin noticed organized soccer clubs in cities around the United States. He wanted New Orleans to have an organization of its own. He started with 12 teams, and now, there are over a hundred as part of the New Orleans Cup.

"I've been watching soccer since I was a baby, since I was 5 to 6 years old. My mom would ask, why I wasn't finding something else to do. When you love something, you love it! Soccer is the number one sport in the world. It's a passion. This is my favorite sport. I've been making so many friends, and they come from everywhere… people from Texas, Mississippi Alabama and Florida fly in from everywhere. We bring players from Mexico, Brazil, Chile

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