Finding Fútbol and Fireworks

I have never been a sports fan, not really.  There was a time in high school when I cheered on our football team on Friday nights.  And I was an avid basketball fan for a short time in college, but I am not the type to tailgate and have a team to follow, whether that be football, baseball, basketball, or hockey.  However, this summer changed all that.  At first, I wasn’t even sure what FIFA was and thought soccer was something kids played in the park.  A few short weeks in June and July, and I’m now an avid fútbol fan.  I am on a southern coast road trip, and along the way I’ve been watching FIFA matches and learning the game.  It is quite intense.  I am in awe of each team’s athleticism.  I never realized how hard it is to kick a ball into a goal.  The first game I watched was the USA playing Bosnia-Herzegovina.  USA won 2-0, with Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman scoring. It was exciting to see the USA win, but tonight they lost to Belgium 4-1, a disappointing showing.

Another game I watched was Argentina play Cape Verde.  I was amazed at both teams.  Argentina’s Lionel Messi is an incredible player.  Before I began following fútbol, I wondered why many of the little boys in Miami wear blue-and-white jerseys with the number 10 Messi on the back.  Now I understand their admiration.  Argentina won 3-2 in extra time and will play Egypt on July 7^th. I can’t wait to see that game while still in Miami – Messi country!

On Sunday, I watched England versus Mexico while walking down South Beach in Miami. Most of the fans in Miami were rooting for Mexico. England won playing with only  10 men. This was Mexico’s first-ever World Cup loss on home soil. England will play Norway on July 11 in Miami.  I will be heading home by then, but will still watch the game.  I am now an official fútbol fan!

Another highlight of this trip was celebrating our country’s 250^th anniversary.  When you think about it, the USA is still a young country compared to countries like China, Japan, India, Egypt, and Iran.  I am optimistic about the USA, even given our present polarized political situation.  It was a grand experiment of a democratic republic, and that was a very bold move in 1776.  I remember the 200th celebration in 1976. I was a sophomore in college, and my father was the public relations director of the Port Authority of New York. We got to go on a cruise on the Hudson River to view the fireworks. That was an amazing experience that I will never forget. So on the 250th July 4^th, I celebrated in Miami with delicious food, good company, and amazing fireworks. I kept clicking photos, trying to capture this special moment.