Meet Mesaball | Founders

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mesaball and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mesaball, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind Mesaball’s success is our community. From the very beginning, Mesaball wasn’t just about creating a new sport—it was about taking aspects of the beautiful game of soccer and building a movement that brought people together.

Our community has helped us refine the game through feedback, spread the word to new players, and even created their own moments of innovation, like trick shots and gameplay styles we couldn’t have imagined on our own. We have Mesaball Sundays in Santa Monica, something everyone really looks forward to – hanging out in the sun by the beach, playing Mesaball, and just enjoying the opportunity to be around one another, from midday until sunset!

At the end of the day, it’s not just a game; it’s a shared experience that thrives because of the people who’ve embraced it and made it their own. Mesaball is about connection—connection through soccer, through competition, and through shared experiences. Our community isn’t just part of the journey; they are the journey. The growth of our community is the growth of Mesaball, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Mesaball, we are all soccer players who love anything soccer related. Our sport is extremely community driven, and the business started because of a small group of dedicated players.

In the early days we were playing on a piece of wood with some PVC pipe legs, but the tables were not very portable and the gameplay was subpar. This drove us to iterate over and over, and as the tables got better the community grew. We had many ideas fall flat, but our one constant was the community. They were eager to be our Mesaball guinea pigs, and happy to give honest feedback.

Through this process, we realized something powerful: Mesaball isn’t just fun—it makes you better at soccer. The best players in the world grow up playing small-sided games like futsal and teqball, using skills that traditional American soccer development often overlooks. We believe Mesaball can be part of that missing link—a game that sharpens first touch, reaction speed, and creativity in a way that translates directly to the pitch. It’s no secret that our country is a step behind the elites of world soccer, so we hypothesize that games like Mesaball are the difference maker in developing world class soccer players.

As we move forward, our small group has become a true community filled with people from all walks of life. We’ve come a long way, but we’re just getting started. Our goal is to see Mesaball played everywhere—from parks and backyards to training facilities and tournaments across the country. This isn’t just a game; it’s a new chapter in soccer culture.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Cobi’s restaurant in Santa Monica is a must, I take everyone who vists there. We would have to go to Ye Olde King’s Head – great Premier League culture in LA. Proper Guinness, great atmosphere. Would have to catch a sporting event at the new COSM!. Tiki Taka soccer league at Pan Pacific Park is the best adult league in LA. Hike Los Liones Trail for the best ocean views. Finally, a day in the beautiful town of El Segundo – for breakfast, Wendy’s Place (the best old-school diner serving breakfast & lunch in a homey space with red booths & Norman Rockwell art) and La Paz Mexican Restaurant for dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We owe everything to our community and the larger soccer culture that has supported us. But if we had to name one person who has played a pivotal role, it would be Mark Milan. Mark has dedicated his life to the game. A former pro soccer freestyler, futvolei enthusiast, and street soccer connoisseur, Mark is more than just a player—he’s a mentor, an innovator, and a true leader within the soccer community. He has inspired and guided so many of us, including our team at Mesaball.

Huge shoutout to the Don himself, Mark Milan—thank you for everything.

Website: https://www.mesaball.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mesaballofficial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louie-buchen/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCelMCg7X-3qkfXsOK07hEfA

Image Credits
Kique Holguin, Louis Pei