The Incredible Journey of Viejos Son Los Trapos FC

Four years. That’s how long it took for Viejos Son Los Trapos FC to go from a casual group of friends to a full-blown club in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Remarkable as that may be, VSLTFC is dreaming even bigger. E Pluribus Loonum observed their open tryouts this past week and got the scoop on the club’s amazing development.

It all began in the Latin leagues for Viejos Son Los Trapos, where a group of friends from MASL team La Selección Carioca came together to have some fun. They were far older than the younger generation of players, and were called viejos, or old. Their younger competition proved to be no match, however, as los viejos won the 2013-14 Latin Evolution League in West St. Paul.

Looking for a challenge, the group entered the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League (MASL) 4th division. The challenge evaded them while they gained promotion to the 3rd division as undefeated champions. The group then entered the Over 30 division of the 2015 President’s Cup in Madison, one of the most competitive indoor soccer tournaments in the Midwest. And they won.

Their 2015 campaign in the MASL 3rd division proved to be a bit more of a challenge for the club, where they lost one match en route to another promotion and championship. They continued to have success in cup competitions, defending their title in the President’s Cup and winning another amateur tournament.

The team adopted its name, Viejos Son Los Trapos, from a Spanish phrase meaning that the old are still young. Players took pride in their reputation as “too old”. Younger players began to show interest in joining VSLTFC and the time came to expand. A second team was added in 2016, beginning play in the MASL 4th division. This addition proved to be a smart one as they won their league, securing promotion alongside the 2nd division winning first team.

Nick McGinley

The time has now come for Viejos Son Los Trapos to complete their journey from Latin league team to full club. They’ll will be joining the NPSL North division this year, battling it out with fellow Twin Cities clubs Minneapolis City SC and the Minnesota TwinStars. They will also field teams in the 1st and 3rd divisions of MASL, based off the promotions won last year.

“It was a lot of hard work,” reflected Alejandro de la Mora, one of the original members who is now one of the club’s executives. It certainly looks the the hard work has paid off for Viejos Son Los Trapos FC, who continue to prove that the old truly are young.

Viejos Son Los Trapos FC will play their home games at James Griffin Stadium on the campus of St. Paul Central High School. Check out vsltfc.com and their Twitter page (@vsltfc) for more details.