By Riley Kaminer
Sebastian Duque never imagined that what started as a local Miami solution for playing pickup soccer would transform into a platform with over 500,000 players across 27 U.S. cities. Today, his company, Plei, stands as the largest pickup soccer app in the world.
But this success didn’t happen overnight. It took a sharp focus on building community, listening to users, and staying true to their roots in Miami.
“We’ve created something that players genuinely need: a convenient way to find and play quality soccer games without overthinking it,” Duque told Refresh Miami. “You can finish work, find a game nearby, join with just two clicks, and be playing in no time.” This straightforward experience has resonated with players nationwide, fueling Plei’s organic growth as users invite friends and spread the word.
With over 5,000 games happening monthly and partnerships like one with Spain’s La Liga to boost soccer’s presence in North America, Plei has seen significant traction since we last caught up with Duque.
“Our partnership with La Liga is helping us bring the entire soccer community together,” Duque explained. “We’re even hosting massive soccer festivals with corporate sponsors to amplify that experience.”
At its core, Duque attributes Plei’s success to its team. “Our leadership team and everyone at Plei are laser-focused on our mission,” Duque said. The company has grown to 50 employees, including 17 based in Miami, where the company has deep roots.
“Miami has this incredible energy – it’s more than just nightlife,” Duque asserted. “There’s a hunger to succeed, a desire to build something meaningful, and we’re proud to represent that.”
A year ago, Plei closed a $1.2 million crowdfunding round, which Duque described as a key inflection point. “Since then, we’ve doubled the size of the company,” he said. Now, the team is preparing for a Series A raise, targeting $8 million in 2025. “This will be our first institutional funding round, and we’re excited to take Plei to the next level.”
That next level involves ambitious plans. A complete app redesign is set to launch in January, along with an international expansion to Europe, where soccer is deeply ingrained in the culture.
“The U.S. is still an emerging market for soccer, but Europe is established. The opportunity there is massive,” Duque said. Beyond Europe, the company is eyeing Canada and South America, with a vision to create a global soccer network. “We want to build the Facebook of soccer, where players can connect, communicate, and grow their communities.”
As Plei scales, Duque remains committed to the principle that helped the company grow: putting the user first. “You’re in service of your customers,” he said. “We’re constantly talking to players, gathering feedback, and iterating based on what they tell us. It’s not about what we think is best; it’s about what they need.” This customer-centric approach has driven Plei’s high retention rates and a loyal user base.
For Duque, Miami’s influence is inextricable from Plei’s story. “I grew up in Kendall, and now our office is in Brickell. Miami is part of who we are,” he said. “There’s something special about the mix of cultures here. People from all over the world come to Miami to make their mark, and we want to show that Miami is much more than what people think. It’s a hub for innovation and startups, and we’re proud to carry that flag.”
Looking ahead, Duque is optimistic about Plei’s potential to unite soccer enthusiasts globally while continuing to represent Miami on the world stage. For him, the journey is as much about building a great company as it is about inspiring others to dream big.
READ MORE IN REFRESH MIAMI:
- Goal! Pickup soccer platform Plei scores $1.22M to kick off global expansion
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- To transform sports-betting communities, Winible raises $6M from Inspired Capital, Ray Lewis and others
- Miss a game? No worries, just check out The Highlights App
- Inter Miami partners with Polkadot to bring blockchain technology to the soccer fieldoria
