09/20/2026
Congratulations to the Vikings AA who celebrated their 100th Anniversary on September 19, 2026.
Tonight, we celebrate something truly extraordinary: 100 years of Vikings AA, one of Chicago’s most storied and resilient amateur soccer institutions.
Founded on May 20, 1926, originally as the Liberty Ball Club, the Vikings quickly grew into a powerhouse — fielding multiple teams across Chicago’s early divisions and becoming a central part of the city’s immigrant soccer culture.
By the late 1920s, they weren’t just a soccer club — they were a community.
And yet, even during the Great Depression, hardship couldn’t slow them down. In the 1934–35 season, Vikings AA captured both first team and reserve league titles, restoring pride and momentum. In 1945, they became major and state champions — and in 1946, they won the Open Cup, placing their name among the elite amateur teams in the nation.
Their influence reached far beyond Chicago. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Vikings AA helped bring international soccer to American audiences — sponsoring touring teams from Sweden and even hosting a match featuring Manchester United.
For a century, Vikings AA has represented the best of Chicago soccer: heritage, competition, community, and unwavering commitment to the game.
Tonight, we honor not just the trophies — though there were many — but the generations of players, families, volunteers, and supporters who built a legacy that still inspires Chicago’s soccer community today.
On behalf of the Illinois State Soccer Association, it is my privilege to present this award celebrating 100 years of Vikings AA — a club that helped shape the history of soccer in our city and continues to embody the spirit of the beautiful game.
Congratulations, Vikings AA — here’s to the next century!
