Futbol

Soccer makes me happy. I'm not sure why or at what point this might have come to be. My earliest memories of the sport are from playing in the local Boys & Girls Club league in Chula Vista. I played in this amateurish indoor soccer league and never developed any real talent as a result. Nevertheless, I always enjoyed my time playing in that league and even practiced on my own time in the backyard of my house with my brother. I am surprised that the fence posts that I would kick the ball against were still in tact after all those years of being kicked against.

While playing a sport is always the most important factor in determining one's appreciation for it, I think that I was also able to establish an appreciation based solely on the spectator side as well. Growing up I vividly recall the soccer viewing parties that we would have with family and friends around the neighborhood. I remember the 1994 World Cup and thinking to myself how amazing it would be to go and cheer on one of my preferred teams at the stadiums. I remember everyone in the house going wild whenever that goal came, or didn't. I remember the camaraderie and solidarity amongst people from all over. I remembered how people from different parts of the world would care about a team from another part of the world, even if they normally wouldn't think twice about it. Soccer brings people together. It may sound trite to say that, but I firmly believe that this is true.

When I was in Mexico for the 1998 World Cup, I remember being completely caught up in the fervor once again. Nostalgia about the sport already pervaded my memories, but this time I was in a country with a culture that actually had a passion for it. I played soccer video games, played soccer in the streets, in the backyard, and when the time came for Mexico to play, I couldn't imagine a viewing party that could be more fun and passionate. This is probably why I love the Mexican national team.

Tomorrow "El Tri" takes on Uruguay. While I am not down in Mexico or with friends and family to enjoy what is sure to be an incredibly exciting match up, you can trust that I will wake up in the early morning to watch. Even by myself, whether I am watching the Red, White, and Blue or the Green, White, and Red, I am always brought back to those days in my child hood living room with friends and family screaming their lungs out for those very same colors.