Since I’ve been following soccer, I’ve only watched four World Cup tournaments before Brazil 2014.
In that time, I’ve never watched a national team game at a real supporters hangout… until today.
However rather than watch one of the major nations that has a mixture of die-hards and casuals, I was fortunate to be invited by fans of a nation that as I’ve witnessed has pure passion and national pride for its team.
(Image courtesy of TorontoHispano.com)
For my first genuine experience, that nation was Uruguay and the venue was Club Uruguay in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada (just outside Toronto).
The South American nation has a relatively small population of about 3 million people, but with what they lack in numbers they make up for in emotion and devotion.
Being an outsider, I came into this match thinking the fans would exude confidence against a side like Costa Rica.
This was way off base.
Whether it has to do with past history or being one of the last teams to qualify for the big dance in both 2010 (advancing 2-1 on aggregate against Costa Rica) and 2014 (advancing 5-0 on aggregate against Jordan), there was a feeling of nervous energy and anxiety.
Uruguay vs. Costa Rica
(Photo courtesy of The Guardian.com)
Part of this is knowing that the matches only get tougher, with England and Italy to come in the next two group games.
Even though the result wasn’t favourable, I did come away with an appreciation for the soccer supporters of Uruguay.
I’m particularly impressed with the soccer intelligence of the people, not only cheering when Edinson Cavani scored the team’s lone goal on a penalty but doing so at other less obvious moments as well. The place erupting when the team won throw-ins and corners, made smart tackles that gained possession and on clearances out of the penalty area.
Being a nervous fellow by nature, I’m not sure if my heart can handle watching another Uruguay game with Uruguayans, but if I do I’ll now be prepared and ready to hopefully experience the joy that I’m all too sure would be pouring out of the supporters with a win.
Be sure to keep up with my World Cup experience on the War Room Sports Blog and catch the Gaffer & Hooligan World Cup mini-shows on the War Room Sports Podcast Network.
