• Loading stock data...
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Stephen A. Smith vs Clay Travis at Tuned In on September 16 in NYC. Don’t miss it. Buy tickets now!

#StayAtHomeChallenge Revamps Tommy Thompson’s YouTube Interests

  • San Jose Earthquakes player Tommy Thompson is using YouTube to teach youngsters the fundamentals of soccer while stuck at home.
  • Thus far, the 24-year-old’s #StayAtHomeChallenge has more than 200K views across his social media platforms.
tommy-thompson-youtube
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Before becoming a professional player with the San Jose Earthquakes, Tommy Thompson remembers growing up and doing what every aspiring player does: looking to the greats for inspiration.

“I was inspired a lot by players like Messi or Ronaldinho and the videos that were put out on YouTube with the skills that they were doing,” Thompson said. “ I remember as a kid, whenever I would see those videos, I’d want to learn how to replicate it.”

FOS REPORT: 54.5% of industry executives believe that it would be at least 60 days before leagues resume play.

With the coronavirus pandemic putting a pause on the MLS just two games into the 2020 season, Thompson is using his growing social media presence to stay connected with the future generation of soccer stars.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and the kids in this area,” Thompson said. “It’s something that hasn’t been done before, and that excites me. I’m excited to continue to work on it, and now’s the perfect time to inspire kids who need the inspiration, and I’m going to do everything I can to keep that going.”

“I thought now it’d be a good opportunity for me to give back,” he said.

Without MLS matches and practices on his schedule, Thompson’s new routine is going on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to showcase moves and tricks that his viewers can work on – wherever they might be.

The idea behind the lessons came from Thompson’s dad, who runs a soccer club in Sacramento. After both realized the need for kids to have ideas of what they can do despite the current playing and practicing limitations, Thompson took to social media to keep them active.

It all began when Thompson launched his very own #StayAtHomeChallenge on March 15. Since then, the video has generated more than 200,000 views across his social media platforms, the vast majority coming from Twitter, he said. It even inspired MLS to post about the challenge on Twitter the following day.

Once he saw that the demand was there for people to watch his content, Thompson wanted to maintain that momentum.

“I took it upon myself to make a makeshift cameraman out of some storage boxes, and I put my iPhone camera up there, and then I started doing skills that I used to do as a kid,” Thompson said. “I want to give kids ideas on what they can still do at home.”

READ MORE: Utah Jazz Turn To Players For Podcast Content

While Thompson’s initial success came mostly from Twitter, he has noticed an even more significant potential on YouTube. While other YouTubers post videos of skills tutorials, none of them also play professionally, he said. 

After creating his YouTube Channel in March 2019, Thompson had only posted 12 videos nearly a year later, generating an average of roughly 99 views per post. 

But since reposting the original #StayAtHomeChallenge video on YouTube on March 16, he has created an additional 91 skills videos. More than 100 people have created their own skills tutorials and posted them on social media using the #StayAtHomeChallenge hashtag.

The clips, ranging from lessons on doing box steps to hot steppers, have generated more than 18,700 views and an average of 205 views per post. 

Overall, Thompson’s content output on YouTube since March 2019 has increased by about 667%, and his average views per post have risen 107% during that same period.

READ MORE: New York Giants Hunker Down With YouTube For Offseason Content

Already, brands have connected with Thompson to help release positive content during this difficult time. Sutter Health, a Northern California-based health system and partner with the Earthquakes, worked with him to bring the pair’s “Get Earthquakes Fit” initiative online via social media. Thompson also landed TV interviews with NBC News Bay Area and KTVU2, an Oakland-based Fox affiliate.

While Thompson acknowledges that his reach isn’t that of an NBA player, it has not stopped him from trying to reach the thousands on social media who are connecting with him through these videos.

“I’m just trying to give my fans and my followers what they want,” Thompson said. “And right now, during this challenging time, it’s clear that the tutorials are what needs to be my primary focus.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Son Heung-min Makes MLS Debut After $26M Transfer to Near-Sellout

Son played just four days after LAFC announced his permanent transfer.

LAFC’s Record Son Deal Brings Global Buzz and Local Pride

Los Angeles has the largest Korean community in the country.

The Next MLS Superstar: Son Heung-Min Joins LAFC

An official announcement is expected as early as Wednesday.
exclusive

MLS Commissioner On Apple TV Deal: Critics ‘Don’t Get It Yet’

“We’re just early,” Garber told FOS when pressed about the deal.

Featured Today

Bridgewater American 12U Little League player Micah Poulter holds a District 7 pin during a send-off rally to the New England regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, from Legion Field on Friday, August 2, 2024.

Inside the Little League World Series Pin Trade

The rare little collectibles fuel a frenzy in Williamsport each summer.
Schultz of Israel-Premier Tech
August 12, 2025

Rice Krispies Treats Are Upending the Billion-Dollar Athlete-Fuel Wars

The world’s most elite athletes are eating like first graders.
Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field
August 9, 2025

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
August 3, 2025

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Jul 19, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, UNITED STATES; Dan Ige (red gloves) fights against Patricio Pitbull (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center.

Why Paramount Deliberately Overpaid for UFC Media Rights

Analysts and experts agree the deal is a huge win for UFC.
Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; CBS Sports field reporter Tracy Wolfson interviews Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) following a win over the Denver Broncos in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.
August 12, 2025

CBS Sports Chief on Paramount Owners: ‘They Value Sports’

Network officials cite the UFC deal as immediate proof of corporate priorities.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2024 Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Civic Center, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
exclusive
August 13, 2025

Roger Goodell Addresses ESPN Employees After NFL Deal

Triple H was on the call, too.
Sponsored

‘Run With the Competition’: Ultra Trail Runner Lotti Brinks Is Back With..

Ultrarunner Lotti Brinks is ready to make her first Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix podium in her HOKA Mafate 5s.
August 12, 2025

NBA Doubles Down on MLK Day Amid NFL Christmas Competition

NBC also announced the first NBA games that will be exclusively streamed.
August 12, 2025

Tom Brady Opens Up on ‘Growing Pains’ in First Fox Season

Brady said he was “way more comfortable” by the time he called Super Bowl LIX.
August 12, 2025

NBC Extends U.S. Open Media-Rights Deal Through 2032

One of golf’s four major championships is staying on NBC.
Taylor Swift
August 12, 2025

Taylor Swift on ‘New Heights’ Could Test Sports Podcast Ceiling

It could be the most-consumed podcast ever.