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For as long as Chris Hill can remember, soccer has been more than a game.
It has taken the Farmingdale native from the playing pitches of Howell High School to Division I soccer, professional stadiums and countries around the world. It introduced him to lifelong friends while shaping his career and eventually brought him back home, where he's now helping develop the next generation of players.
This weekend, the game is giving him something else.
Hill was selected as the winner of the Michelob Ultra "Superior Player of the Match" contest, earning a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final Sunday (July 19), when Argentina and Spain play at MetLife Stadium (3 p.m., FOX). Along with receiving $90,000 and serving as the tournament's ceremonial Chief Trophy Officer, Hill will share the experience with the person who helped start it all — his father, Chris Hill.
"It's unbelievable," Hill said. "I'm still waiting to wake up from this dream. It's becoming more of a reality with each passing day."
The timing makes the moment even more meaningful.
The World Cup final falls on his father's birthday.
"I've always wanted to be able to give something back to him," Hill said. "To be able to do this, and it also being on his birthday, is legitimately a dream come true."
His father, a retired Howell police sergeant and current chief executive officer of the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, spent countless hours driving the younger Chris to practices, kicking the ball around after school and encouraging the boy's love of sports.
"Sports has always been our thing," Hill said. "Whether it was soccer, football, basketball — whatever it was — sports has always been what we did together."
Hill's soccer journey began after watching his older sister play. Before long, he was playing for Howell's local soccer club before joining Tab Ramos' academy powerhouse NJSA 04 during his high school years.
At Howell High School, the 2012 graduate cracked the varsity lineup as a freshman, a moment he said helped convince him he could compete at the Division I level.
"I think probably in high school I realized Division I was possible," Hill said. "Playing varsity as a freshman and academy soccer gave me that confidence."
Not everyone shared that belief.
"I had plenty of people tell me I wouldn't play Division I," Hill said. "They said I'd only go Division II or Division III. I kind of used that as motivation."
After graduating, Hill began his collegiate career at the University of Richmond. When the program was discontinued, he transferred to Villanova, where he spent three seasons developing into one of the Wildcats' most versatile players.
Originally playing as a winger, Hill led Villanova in goals and points during his sophomore season before transitioning to outside back for his final two years. The move helped anchor a Wildcats defense that ranked among the nation's top 12.
More than anything, though, Hill said he remembers the culture.
"It didn't matter if you were a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior," he said. "We were all family. We were all there for one another."
Following his senior season, Hill signed his first professional contract with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League, where he played for three seasons.
Even during the offseason, soccer continued taking him across the globe as he trained in countries including Italy, Germany and Argentina.
"The game has given me so much and continues to give me so much," Hill said. "I've met some of the best people in my life because of this game. I've gotten to go to so many countries because of this game and have experiences I don't think I would've had otherwise."
After his professional career, Hill returned to Monmouth County and co-founded the ART Soccer training group, where he now helps develop young players throughout the Shore.
"I feel like it's my duty now as someone who's played the game and continues to love it to give back to the players in the community," he said.
Hill first learned about Michelob Ultra's contest while scrolling through Instagram.
Applicants were asked to submit a 90-second video explaining why they deserved the opportunity.
For Hill, entering wasn't much of a decision.
"I would legitimately put myself up against anybody when it comes to the love for the game," he said. "I'll stay up and watch games from other countries. There's no limit to the amount of soccer I want to consume."
Despite knowing thousands would apply, he believed he had to try.
"I'd rather have a whole bunch of 'oh wells' in my life than a bunch of 'what ifs,'" he said.
That mindset has followed him throughout his soccer career.
"When I see a chance for something, I'm 100 percent going for it."
In his application video, Hill leaned into his roots.
Growing up in Farmingdale, he wanted young athletes to know that big dreams don't require a big city.
"I think people get caught up thinking if you're not from a big city, your chances are slim," Hill said. "Who would've thought that me, growing up in Farmingdale, New Jersey, would go on to play Division I soccer, play professional soccer and travel the world because of a game where I get to run around and kick a ball?"
His message to the next generation is simple.
"If it's something you're truly passionate about, just do it," Hill said. "It's going to be hard. You're going to have to make sacrifices. But if you really want it, you have to go all in."
Hill attended the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, watching Lionel Messi lift the trophy.
This time, he'll be much closer to the action.
With the tournament's biggest match being played practically in his backyard, Hill will be on the field before kickoff as part of his ceremonial role.
"The World Cup final is everything," Hill said. "I don't care what sport you're talking about. Nothing compares to that atmosphere."
As he prepares to step onto soccer's biggest stage alongside his father, Hill hopes his journey resonates with young players throughout the Shore Conference.
"It doesn't matter where you come from," Hill said. "If you dream big and believe in your dreams, you can truly make anything happen."
For the kid who first chased a soccer ball on the fields of Howell, the sport has already given him more than he ever imagined.
Now, it's giving him another unforgettable chapter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore soccer fan wins $90,000, 2 tickets to World Cup final: 'It's unbelievable'
Continue reading...
It has taken the Farmingdale native from the playing pitches of Howell High School to Division I soccer, professional stadiums and countries around the world. It introduced him to lifelong friends while shaping his career and eventually brought him back home, where he's now helping develop the next generation of players.
This weekend, the game is giving him something else.
Hill was selected as the winner of the Michelob Ultra "Superior Player of the Match" contest, earning a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final Sunday (July 19), when Argentina and Spain play at MetLife Stadium (3 p.m., FOX). Along with receiving $90,000 and serving as the tournament's ceremonial Chief Trophy Officer, Hill will share the experience with the person who helped start it all — his father, Chris Hill.
"It's unbelievable," Hill said. "I'm still waiting to wake up from this dream. It's becoming more of a reality with each passing day."
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images
The timing makes the moment even more meaningful.
The World Cup final falls on his father's birthday.
"I've always wanted to be able to give something back to him," Hill said. "To be able to do this, and it also being on his birthday, is legitimately a dream come true."
His father, a retired Howell police sergeant and current chief executive officer of the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, spent countless hours driving the younger Chris to practices, kicking the ball around after school and encouraging the boy's love of sports.
"Sports has always been our thing," Hill said. "Whether it was soccer, football, basketball — whatever it was — sports has always been what we did together."
Shore Conference beginning
Hill's soccer journey began after watching his older sister play. Before long, he was playing for Howell's local soccer club before joining Tab Ramos' academy powerhouse NJSA 04 during his high school years.
At Howell High School, the 2012 graduate cracked the varsity lineup as a freshman, a moment he said helped convince him he could compete at the Division I level.
"I think probably in high school I realized Division I was possible," Hill said. "Playing varsity as a freshman and academy soccer gave me that confidence."
Not everyone shared that belief.
"I had plenty of people tell me I wouldn't play Division I," Hill said. "They said I'd only go Division II or Division III. I kind of used that as motivation."
After graduating, Hill began his collegiate career at the University of Richmond. When the program was discontinued, he transferred to Villanova, where he spent three seasons developing into one of the Wildcats' most versatile players.
Originally playing as a winger, Hill led Villanova in goals and points during his sophomore season before transitioning to outside back for his final two years. The move helped anchor a Wildcats defense that ranked among the nation's top 12.
More than anything, though, Hill said he remembers the culture.
"It didn't matter if you were a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior," he said. "We were all family. We were all there for one another."
Taking the game around the world
Following his senior season, Hill signed his first professional contract with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League, where he played for three seasons.
Even during the offseason, soccer continued taking him across the globe as he trained in countries including Italy, Germany and Argentina.
"The game has given me so much and continues to give me so much," Hill said. "I've met some of the best people in my life because of this game. I've gotten to go to so many countries because of this game and have experiences I don't think I would've had otherwise."
After his professional career, Hill returned to Monmouth County and co-founded the ART Soccer training group, where he now helps develop young players throughout the Shore.
"I feel like it's my duty now as someone who's played the game and continues to love it to give back to the players in the community," he said.
You must be registered for see images
'Oh wells' rather than 'what ifs'
Hill first learned about Michelob Ultra's contest while scrolling through Instagram.
Applicants were asked to submit a 90-second video explaining why they deserved the opportunity.
For Hill, entering wasn't much of a decision.
"I would legitimately put myself up against anybody when it comes to the love for the game," he said. "I'll stay up and watch games from other countries. There's no limit to the amount of soccer I want to consume."
Despite knowing thousands would apply, he believed he had to try.
"I'd rather have a whole bunch of 'oh wells' in my life than a bunch of 'what ifs,'" he said.
That mindset has followed him throughout his soccer career.
"When I see a chance for something, I'm 100 percent going for it."
You must be registered for see images attach
From a small town to soccer's biggest stage
In his application video, Hill leaned into his roots.
Growing up in Farmingdale, he wanted young athletes to know that big dreams don't require a big city.
"I think people get caught up thinking if you're not from a big city, your chances are slim," Hill said. "Who would've thought that me, growing up in Farmingdale, New Jersey, would go on to play Division I soccer, play professional soccer and travel the world because of a game where I get to run around and kick a ball?"
His message to the next generation is simple.
"If it's something you're truly passionate about, just do it," Hill said. "It's going to be hard. You're going to have to make sacrifices. But if you really want it, you have to go all in."
Back where it all began
Hill attended the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, watching Lionel Messi lift the trophy.
This time, he'll be much closer to the action.
With the tournament's biggest match being played practically in his backyard, Hill will be on the field before kickoff as part of his ceremonial role.
"The World Cup final is everything," Hill said. "I don't care what sport you're talking about. Nothing compares to that atmosphere."
As he prepares to step onto soccer's biggest stage alongside his father, Hill hopes his journey resonates with young players throughout the Shore Conference.
"It doesn't matter where you come from," Hill said. "If you dream big and believe in your dreams, you can truly make anything happen."
For the kid who first chased a soccer ball on the fields of Howell, the sport has already given him more than he ever imagined.
Now, it's giving him another unforgettable chapter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore soccer fan wins $90,000, 2 tickets to World Cup final: 'It's unbelievable'
Continue reading...
