Turkey
Club History
Does your country have a saying/slogan?
Egemenlik, kayitsiz, sartsiz milletindir (Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the people!)
Can you tell us your team’s make up? How did your team come together?
We are mostly friends who grew up playing in Levittown (Lower Bucks County, PA) and Delran (Burlington County, NJ) for many years. To supplement our roster, we all reached out to other Turkish friends from NY and DE.
How do you think soccer in general (and the Unity Cup in particular) promotes inclusivity?
I think the fact that it’s a global game can bring many nationalities together with minimal effort. Futbol runs in our blood from a young age, and we can all identify with the game, whether it’s supporting the top clubs in the world, best players we idolized, and the unity [and] the diversity [it] brings about.
What places (such as restaurants, cultural centers, or groups in Philadelphia) would you recommend to someone if they wanted to learn more about the culture of the country your team represents?
Isot Restaurant, Giresun Turk American Dernegi (in Burlington County, NJ), and Sofra Restaurant (Levittown, PA).
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your team’s country?
It is a major tourist attraction to Europeans that North Americans, South Americans, and Africans may not have yet to discover. Relatively inexpensive, amazing food, great history, and beautiful beaches.