Youth Soccer Thrives at Nike's Toma La Noche LA Finals

LOS ANGELES – The Toma La Noche LA Finals, hosted by Nike at Griffith Park Pool on June 7, 2026, brought together 60 of the city's best young street footballers vying for the chance to represent Los Angeles in the North America Toma Finals. Competitors showcased their skills in 1v1, 3v3, and 4v4 formats, culminating in a celebration of street soccer that has been building through a series of local tournaments.

This event marked the finale of a months-long tournament series that included competitions at various LA locations like The Lawn, The Hill, The Beach, and The Bridge. "Nike is putting such a big emphasis on youth soccer, especially in the states, that a lot of people overlook," noted Abdiel Pagan, a soccer content creator affiliated with the brand. "I wish that when I was a kid, these opportunities were around."

The ambiance at Griffith Park Pool was electric, transforming the venue into a vibrant football arena. Among the cheering crowd were notable athletes including Zlatan Ibrahimović and Clint Dempsey, who showed their support for the participants. The girls' tournament kicked off the evening, followed by the boys’ matches, with the top teams ultimately earning their titles and custom trophies designed by local artist Georgina Treviño.

LA Hooligans FC's girls and Best LA's boys emerged victorious, with 17-year-old Mina Nagashima scoring the decisive goal in the girls' finals. The winning teams sported jerseys created by the Kids of Immigrants brand, which previously hosted a Toma La Noche event at Melrose Hill.

As the tournament concluded, the atmosphere shifted to a musical celebration with performances from artists like Chino Pacas. Attendees also enjoyed product drops featuring community-designed futsal jerseys, highlighting the cultural connection between the sport and the local community. Joey Barba, co-founder of the streetwear brand PAISABOYS, emphasized the importance of such events in providing opportunities for youth who might not have access to traditional soccer clubs.