OpenFutbol Chicago

Open-source platform connecting pickup soccer communities

Find pickup soccer games across Chicago neighborhoods through our interactive map platform. Built with open-source principles and powered by the NBHD Soccer community.

🌟 Features

• Interactive Chicago Map with real neighborhood positioning
• Geographic Accuracy based on actual Chicago layout with Lake Michigan, Chicago River
• Frequency Indicators showing how often games happen in each area
• Professional Design with Chicago flag-inspired colors
• Mobile Responsive optimized for all devices
• SEO Optimized for discovery through search
• NBHD Soccer Integration connecting to weekly Meetup games

🚀 Technology

Built using modern web technologies optimized for GitHub Pages:

• Vanilla HTML/CSS/JavaScript - Fast, accessible, no heavy frameworks
• Jekyll - Static site generation with GitHub Pages optimization
• Chicago Flag Color Palette - Professional nonprofit design
• Geographic SVG - Interactive map with real Chicago features
• NBHD Soccer Branding - Partnership with established community organization

🛠️ Local Development

Prerequisites

• Ruby 2.5+ with Bundler
• Git
• Modern web browser

Setup

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/OpenFutbol/openfutbol.github.io.git
cd openfutbol.github.io

# Install dependencies
bundle install

# Start local development server
bundle exec jekyll serve

# Visit http://localhost:4000

File Structure

├── index.html                 # Main pickup finder (Chicago)
├── chicago-pickup-soccer.html # SEO-optimized Chicago page
├── _config.yml               # Jekyll configuration
├── Gemfile                   # Dependencies
├── README.md                 # This file
├── robots.txt               # SEO configuration
├── assets/img/              # Images and logos
└── .github/workflows/       # GitHub Pages deployment

Development Notes

• Site auto-reloads on file changes during development
• All CSS is inline in HTML files for simplicity
• Interactive map uses vanilla JavaScript

🌐 GitHub Pages Deployment

How it Works

OpenFutbol automatically deploys to GitHub Pages using GitHub Actions:

1. Push to main branch triggers automatic deployment
2. Jekyll builds the static site from your HTML/CSS/JS
3. GitHub Actions deploys to https://openfutbol.github.io
4. Global CDN serves your site worldwide

Timeline

• Code push → build start: Immediate
• Build completion: 1-5 minutes
• Global deployment: 5-10 minutes for worldwide CDN

Success Indicators

• ✅ Green checkmark in GitHub Actions tab
• ✅ New commit SHA in GitHub Pages settings
• ✅ Site accessible at openfutbol.github.io

Troubleshooting Failed Builds

If deployment fails:

1. Check GitHub Actions tab for error details
2. Test locally first: bundle exec jekyll serve
3. Common issues: Missing frontmatter, invalid YAML in _config.yml
4. Verify file structure: Ensure index.html exists in root

Best Practices

• Test locally before pushing to main
• Small commits for easier debugging
• Monitor GitHub Actions after pushing
• Check build logs if deployment fails

🏙️ Current Status

Chicago (Live): Fully operational with 8+ neighborhoods mapped

• Active Games: Weekly YMCA Rauner games via NBHD Soccer Meetup
• Neighborhoods: Logan Square, Wicker Park, Pilsen, Bridgeport, and more
• Community: 50+ regular players through NBHD Soccer network
• SEO: Optimized landing page at /chicago-pickup-soccer.html

Expansion: Framework ready for other cities - see our expansion roadmap in the main OpenFutbol organization.

🤝 Get Involved

For Players

• Join games: Visit NBHD Soccer Meetup for weekly pickup
• Explore neighborhoods: Use our interactive map to discover new areas
• Community: Connect with Chicago's pickup soccer network

For Organizers

• Start a chapter: Use our Chicago model as a framework for your city
• Community building: Learn from NBHD Soccer's grassroots approach
• Open source: All code and organizing methods freely available

For Developers

• Contribute code: Improve the platform, add features, fix bugs
• City expansion: Help adapt the framework for new cities
• Open source: MIT licensed, community-driven development

📞 Contact

• GitHub Organization: @OpenFutbol
• Chicago Games: NBHD Soccer Meetup
• Issues & Contributions: GitHub Issues
• NBHD Soccer: nbhdsoccer.github.io

🏆 Recent Updates

• July 2025: Complete redesign with Chicago map accuracy and NBHD Soccer partnership
• Professional color scheme: Chicago flag-inspired design
• Enhanced SEO: Dedicated Chicago pickup soccer landing page
• Community integration: Direct links to active Meetup games
• Mobile optimization: Responsive design for all devices

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OpenFutbol Chicago - Making pickup soccer accessible, one neighborhood at a time ⚽

Powered by NBHD Soccer 🤝 Built with ❤️ in Chicago