Interviews
JUE 30.03.2023
Like many children in the United States, Matt Litt played soccer growing up. Then like many children in the U.S., he shifted his focus to American football. But lacking a timely growth spurt for potential success on the gridiron, Litt rediscovered soccer in high school and still continues to play in men’s and co-ed leagues to this day.
Not only did he fall back in love with the beautiful game, but he began following European clubs and leagues more, specifically Manchester United because they were typically featured in the lone Premier League match on TV each Saturday.
Today, soccer is more accessible to watch and play in the United States than ever, which opened up new avenues of involvement and fandom for Litt and his family in Lincoln, Nebraska.
A father of six with another baby on the way, Litt is fully invested in Villarreal. Four of his children play on teams for the Villarreal Nebraska Academy with Litt serving as coach. He coaches a U11 boys team, U9 girls, U7 boys and recently began coordinating for the academy’s U7-8 Yellows Program.
“With four of our kids playing, a parent’s going to be there one way or the other and I love soccer and coaching, so it works out for our family really well,” Litt says. “Our club director is very excited for this new baby because that means I’ll oversee the Yellows Program for the next eight years.”
Opened in 2018, the Villarreal Nebraska Academy is the first official academy in the United States to team up with the 2020-21 Europa League winners affectionately known as El Submarino Amarillo.
Litt, who says his family is excited to hopefully go to Spain and visit Estadio De La Ceramica in the near future, is thankful for the hands-on investment of Villarreal at the Nebraska academy, not only appreciating what the club offers to him and his players as a coach, but also as a father.
“To be able to have a resource like what Villarreal is providing is hugely important because I feel I can give so much to the kids in the program,” he says. “For the kids to have a pathway to an international club is really unheard of here in the middle of the country. And as a dad, it’s cool to know if my kids want to continue to pursue something like this, there’s an opportunity there.
“I’ve been very thankful for our local leadership as well as the whole team at Villarreal over in Spain for this investment.”
FULL SERIES:
A Breakaway from Household Support
Real’s remontadas roped in this fan
Unexpected Encounter Leads to Unforgettable Experience
Sevilla Fandom Comes Full Circle
UD Almería unites community in New Jersey
Basque Roots Grow in Meaning for Boise Student
Local peña helps Celta Vigo fans overcome morriña
San Diego, the Birthplace of the first Cádiz Peña in the U.S.
Fate, luck and curiosity brought this fan to Atleti
Real Sociedad fandom blossoming in Boise
Growing up in awe of Sánchez, Real Madrid
Ortegas proudly promote Real Betis around the globe
¡Vamos mi Sevilla! ¡Vamos Nueva York!
Mexico’s Márquez Converted This Culé
Covid can’t stop this Valencia CF socio
Living near the Bernabéu led to this fan loving Real Madrid
How a U.S. Elementary School Principal Helped Save Real Oviedo
Growing the Beautiful Game in Montreal and Beyond
Uruguay’s Forlán Helped This Fan Fall in Love With Atleti
Ready to stick with RCD Mallorca through thick and thin
Behind this Barça Fan’s Pregame Ritual
A Fan’s Growing Barça Obsession in Toronto
Villarreal Academy Creates New Fans in Nebraska
© LALIGA - 2023