The crisp, fresh air with an ever so subtle breeze makes for the perfect combination of an autumn game played under lights. The excitement is palatable. Fans converge to cheer their team to victory donned in their teams color of scarves, hats, jerseys, flags, and even body paint. The self-proclaimed “team band” plays adds to the evenings thrill as the beating of bongo drums and chanting voices creates a concordance of sound that rings through stadium. Conversations of player and team stats; discussions of the best players and the reasons why; children excitedly talking about their own skills for and love of the sport; husband’s/boyfriend’s explaining to their wife’s/girlfriend’s the rules of the game; discussions of previously watched matches and amazing goals all softly circle around where I sit with growing anticipation for my team and hopefully their victory.
The whistle blows, the game begins. The players vying for possession. Dribbling, passing, crossing, heading, trapping, fouling, shooting, and cards are all a part of the game. The fans cheer for their team, boo at the refs with nervous anticipation and hopes that their team finds the ball in the back of the goal. The game remains scoreless for both teams until the 80th minute when a cross from the right side finds the foot of the player running up the flank on the left side. A second goal came about the 90th minute when a player simply beat the goalie.
As a player of the sport myself, I tip my hat for both goals--even though it was not my team scoring them. They were the kind of goals all players love to have and make the sport exhilarating; perfect play making and passing created the opportunity for the perfectly executed finishes. Well done boys, well done.
Although watching New York Red Bulls lose to Real Salt Lake didn’t really meet my “to do list” of watching a game in Brazil, maybe the fact that I sat by a guy that used to help coach Flamingo sort of makes it Brazilian. Sort of but not really. Either way, I am back from Brazil and win or lose I love the sport. Love it!
Macacos me mordam!
J
