Where are they now?

The Inspirational Story of Grant Schafer.

From CUSC to the Global Game

For many former Cincinnati United SC players, soccer remains an important part of life long after their final club game. For Ilias Boujlil, however, the game has become much more than a pastime. It has shaped his education, career, travels, entrepreneurial ventures, and even his connection to cultures and communities around the world.

Today, Ilias lives in New York City, where he works in technology and artificial intelligence at Morgan Stanley while also pursuing a variety of entrepreneurial and soccer-related projects. He serves as Director of Technology for the International Street Football Association (ISFA), has developed platforms designed to connect soccer communities, and has traveled extensively through the global street football scene.

Yet despite the impressive résumé, many of the foundations for his journey were established years earlier at Cincinnati United SC and Lakota East High School.

Cincinnati United SC Foundations

When Ilias reflects on his playing days, his first memories are not necessarily the games themselves, but the friendships that surrounded them.

"The memories I always come back to are the road trips with my teammates before tournaments," he recalls. "The jokes, the banter, and everyone waiting for the first person to fall asleep so we could prank them."

Those moments helped build lasting bonds and created experiences that still stand out years later.

Several coaches also played a significant role in shaping his future. Ilias credits Jon Caldwell with introducing him to street football, futsal, and Brazilian football culture, opening his eyes to a more creative and expressive way of playing the game. At the same time, Scott Bower [current CUSC Director of Soccer but then in his role as CUP Boys Director of Coaching] challenged him with a different approach.

"Scott brought a level of organization, professionalism, and tough love that pushed me to improve and become the best version of myself as a player," he says.

His experiences with the U.S. Youth Futsal National Team further broadened his perspective, exposing him to talented players from across the country and helping elevate his game.

Looking back, there were already signs that soccer would remain a lifelong passion. As a young player, Ilias admits he spent an unusual amount of time checking weather forecasts, hoping rain would not cancel a practice or match.

"I was always looking for any possible way to make sure the game could still happen," he says.

A New Chapter in New York

After graduating from Lakota East, Ilias chose to attend New York University, drawn by the city's energy and opportunities.

"I wanted to study in a place where there was always something happening," he explains. "New York offered access to technology, finance, entrepreneurship, and people from all over the world."

The move proved transformative.

Leaving Cincinnati pushed him outside his comfort zone and introduced him to people with vastly different backgrounds, perspectives, and ambitions. It also exposed him to one of the most vibrant soccer cultures in the United States.

Whether playing pickup games at Pier 40, competing on rooftop courts, or finding matches in unexpected corners of the city, Ilias discovered a version of soccer that felt limitless.

"The location almost didn't matter," he says. "If there was a ball and enough room to play, we found a way."

Those experiences helped deepen his appreciation for street football and the unique communities that form around the game.

Building Through Technology

While soccer remained a constant presence, Ilias also developed another passion: building things.

That curiosity led him to study computer science and eventually build a career at the intersection of technology, AI, and financial services.

"I've always had a builder's mindset," he says. "I love taking an idea and turning it into something tangible."

Today, he works in AI and technology at Morgan Stanley and was recently promoted into a leadership role. Many of the lessons he learned through sports continue to influence how he approaches his professional career.

"The most successful team is not always the one with the most talented individuals," he explains. "It's often the team where everyone understands their role, communicates well, trusts one another, and is willing to do the less visible work that helps the group succeed."

His entrepreneurial mindset has also led to projects such as Play Anywhere, a platform designed to help players discover pickup games, tournaments, leagues, and soccer events in their local communities.

For Boujlil, technology is not about replacing human interaction. It is about creating more opportunities for it.

"The goal is not for people to spend more time looking at football on their phones," he says. "The goal is to use technology to help them find the game, put their phones away, and go experience it."

The Global Language of Street Football

Perhaps no part of Ilias' journey has been more unique than his involvement in the global street football movement.

As Director of Technology for ISFA, he helps build systems that connect street football communities around the world, providing players and organizers with greater visibility, opportunities, and pathways for competition.

His travels have taken him far beyond traditional soccer environments.

One of his most memorable experiences came in Alexandria, Egypt, where he participated in a Ramadan street football tournament that transformed an entire neighborhood into a stadium.

"People gathered along the street, watched from their windows, and even stood on top of cars," he recalls. "The energy was unbelievable."

Another unforgettable experience came in Medellín, Colombia, where he played on a sloped mountain street known as Jhon's Barrio, home to one of the city's most respected street footballers.

For Ilias, those moments highlight what makes street football so special.

"The location, the people, and the culture surrounding the game become just as important as the match itself," he says.

It is a version of soccer that celebrates creativity, expression, and community while remaining accessible to anyone with a ball and a place to play.

Culture, Identity, and the World Cup

Recently, Ilias had another unique opportunity when he participated in PUMA's Morocco World Cup jersey launch campaign.

As a Moroccan-American, the experience carried deep personal meaning.

"Growing up in the United States with Moroccan roots, the national team has always represented much more than football," he says. "It represents family, culture, and a connection to home."

The campaign was filmed in Astoria, New York, within the local Moroccan community, making the experience even more meaningful.

"It wasn't just about wearing the jersey," he explains. "It was about celebrating Morocco in a place where the culture is visible, familiar, and alive every day."

The project served as another example of how soccer continues to connect the different parts of his identity and life experiences.

Looking Ahead

When asked what advice he would offer current Cincinnati United SC players, Ilias encourages them to think beyond traditional pathways.

"My biggest piece of advice would be to remain curious and avoid placing limits on where soccer can take you," he says.

While he encourages young players to pursue excellence on the field, he also believes some of the greatest opportunities come from the relationships, experiences, and interests developed along the way.

For Boujlil, soccer has been far more than a game.

It has introduced him to lifelong friends, taken him around the world, connected him to different cultures, and inspired many of the projects he works on today.

"What started as simply loving to play has grown into a way for me to explore the world, express myself, and create opportunities for others," he says.

From Cincinnati United SC to New York City, from youth futsal to global street football, and from technology leadership to World Cup campaigns, Boujlil's story serves as a powerful reminder that the impact of soccer often extends far beyond the field.

- Thanks to Ilias for taking the time to speak with us! If you want to learn more about any of this projects or ventures, we will include links at the end of the newsletter!