Salvador Fan Fest

We have arrived in beautiful Salvador, Brasil and are staying at a wonderful hotel in the Itapua area.  Yesterday was a great day as we woke up basking in the glory of the USA win over Ghana and headed to the Pelourinho in the old part of the city.  It was totally decked out for the Cup, as most of the country is, in the  yellow and green of Brasil. After exploring, checking out the cathedral, watching some Capoeira and some Oludum (sp?) drumming, and doing a little shopping, we grabbed another cab down to the Fan Fest.  When we got there it was relatively quiet, with a few hundred people sitting around, watching the Belgium-Algeria match on the GIGANTIC screen.  The two Algerians went ballistic when their team took an early lead on a PK.We quickly found a small group of four Mexicans and joined them.  Anytime we saw another verde or rojo we called them over and our group quickly grew.  By kickoff of the Brasil-Mexico clash we were numbering 40 or so, but that number continued to increase as the game went on and I believe there were over a hundred by games end.  The entire area was standing room only for the match and felt as if we were in the actual stadium.  Our group, especially with some very cool Lucha Libre masks, was the subjuect of countless photo and even video requests from fans and media alike.We sang all the songs and chants (got to clarify some of the words before Croatia) and had a really great Puuuu-Tooooo! for all of Julio Cesar´s goal kicks.  It was an absolutely electrifying environment and I can´t wait for the Croatia game in person next week.

The game itself was a classic, hard-fought 0-0 draw between two hungry teams.  Brasil started out much stronger as Mexico appeared to be very amped for the game.  Memo Ochoa stopped an early shot (one of many on the day) and El Tri started to settle down.  Miguel Herrera´s strategy was aggressive, tackling hard and makingit difficult for Neymar, Oscar or anyone else to do a whole lot in the middle of the field. While some of the Mexican stars like Miguel Layun and Orribe Perralta were quiet throughout most of the match, others like Gallito Vasquez and Andres Guardado had excellent games.  Captain Rafa Marquez played very well, marking Neymar often and pushing upfield on offense.  Keeper Ochoa was phenomenal and earned millions of dollars for hisnext contract with the performance, as well as relegating an outstanding Jesus Corona to the bench for the forseeable future-I think even Senora Corona would agree here. Twitter exploded with references and tributes to him and his is now known worldwide. As I expected, Mexico ripped numerous long rockets but could not keep them on goal, narrowing missing left, right and over the crossbar numerous times.  Even late in the game, they kept pushing for the win, refusing to sit back and settle for a draw.  All three substitutions were offensive minded. When the game ended in a tie, we celebrated a well-earned point as if it was a win.  When we got back to the hotel the game was being replayed on TV and I got to relive it following it on my twitter timeline. This now sets Mexico up to advance with a tie or win against the Croats. That game should blow this one away in terms of excitement.

It's here!

The last week or so has flown by very fast and our departure day is finally here!  The first two days of the 2014 World Cup have been fantastic, full of goals, controversy (stress and pronounce as you please) and most importantly, a Mexico win and three points! The team played very well and the game was well attended by Mexicans and the Croatia game should be quite a party. The energy and atmosphere at the stadiums, and the Fan Fest sites that have been shown, have appeared and sounded phenomenal and I can't wait to be there.  I had planned on writing a little more before I left but this is the last tidbit from the States (I will expound on my experience with Portuguese upon my return). We won't actually arrive until tomorrow after three flights (Denver-Houston, Houston-Rio, Rio-Salvador).  I have some more soccer mags and many books on the Kindle to read on many hours of airport and plane ahead of me.  Although we will miss a few games today and tomorrow (we'll see parts of some before we go and at airport bars), we come home on the off days after the knockout games, before the quarterfinals. We kick off the trip with a bang on Monday with the Germany-Portugal match up at the same beautiful venue in which the Netherlands crushed Espana 5-1 Friday. I am hoping to find some American Outlaw or other Unitedstatesian fans at that game (I'll be wearing my USA shirt) to join after the match to view the Ghana game in a bar somewhere, or maybe we will able to make it out to the Fan Fest.  We have a couple of days to explore Salvador.  We will certainly spend one day in the Pelourinho, the old section of town that includes the markets, many of the historical slave sites and many other points of interest. The other day will likely be spent exploring the beaches to the north of the city, along the Linha Verde (Praia do Forte, Arembepe).  We will definitely sample the local food, especially the regional specialty acaraje and moqueca de peixe.  Salvador is supposed to have some really great ice cream as well. Unfortunately, when we leave, we have a 6:20 AM flight, but we will arrive in Recife with the whole day to chill on the beach.  I will post more from the Cup!  Vamos Mexico!  Go USA!

Less than two weeks!

I actually can't believe how fast time is flying now as school is basically over and we are preparing to leave. I am getting so damn excited, especially after watching a bunch of friendlies this week. Most everything is in place. Most importantly, the dogs are set to be watched at home by our dog walker and spend a little time at their kennel; we have all of our documents with copies ready to go and are just putting together the last details.  I made a few last purchases this weekend, buying one of those awesome Mexico pregame windbreakers they have been wearing, as well as a simple white USA soccer T-shirt, then I finally upgraded to an iPhone5 today so that hopefully I can keep up with the world as well as update our trip, dependent on local internet services.  Since we have a tight turnaround in Rio to catch our flight to Salvador, and for traveling ease in general, we are going with just a carry-on and small backpack each, so we have to pack smartly and we have already begun to set everything out, debating what will make our final suitcase roster. My cheap polyester Spain jersey has been cut due to terrible breath-ability.  We have to bring enough toiletries for the 18 days (which are super expensive in Brasil) in one zip-lock bag, so that should be interesting. I also have to decide what I am going to read and download a few more books as it looks like we won't be bringing many real ones. Otherwise, it is just amping up and soaking in every piece of information on Brasil or the Cup.

USA and El Tri: I was surprised but not necessarily shocked that Landon Donovan was left off the USA 23, but like most, I still think he could have been an asset off the bench. There has been more than enough analysis of this so time to move on with the guys who have tickets to Brasil.  The USA still looked shaky in a win over Azerbaijan but they have yet to field their actual starting eleven, and with the cuts of Parkhurst and Goodson, it is unclear who the four starting four defenders will be and how they will line up. Dempsey was held out as a precautionary measure with a tight groin, but he should be fine.  Against Turkey the team showed some offensive prowess but was shoddy defensively and was lucky to only give up one goal. It is unlikely Ghana, Germany or Portugal will be as soft finishing.  The three youngsters-Brooks and Yedlin in back and phenom Green on the wing-but none of them really impressed. And I never thought I would say or write this (although maybe I did once before), but Kyle Beckerman just might be a better option over Jermaine Jones in the midfield. I also wouldn't mind seeing Diskerud play from the outset instead of Zusi.  Altidore had his best game in a while, but is still stuck in a finishing funk and needed to be subbed late as he was visibly tired. They have one more friendly against Nigeria and then a closed door scrimmage with Belgium in Brasil before they take on Ghana on June 16.

 

Even with the awful injury to Luis Montes, I still like Mexico's chances of beating Cameroon and Croatia and advancing to the knockout rounds.  Fortunately, Marco Fabian is playing very well and is hardly a step down from Chapo Montes, if at all.  Javier Aquino (the expected replacement) will add some speed and creativity on the wing off the bench.  After a slow start, the team generally played very well against Ecuador, a much stronger and more physical team than they had previously faced but they more than held their own won, dominating possession and winning quite easily 3-1, even after watching their teammate go down.  There is still some uncertainty in the midfield, but I expect them to settle on using Gallito Vasquez as the defensive guy in the middle, with  Hector Herrera and Marco Fabian flanking him (even though only a month ago I would have steadfastly held that Gullit Pena would be starting, but his play has fallen off some of late). However, I also like Andres Guardado coming off the bench into that defensive mid role to provide some offensive push if they are down late in a game. Up front I think it will be Gio alongside Oribe, with Chicharito becoming the super sub.  Captain Rafa Marquez also hurt his foot, but it is expected he will be fine for Cameroon.  Mexico has a few guys who like to take big shots from outside the box and this Brazuca ball seems to be to their liking.  I think we will see a lot of long rocket goals in this World Cup. El Tri has two more friendlies against Bosnia Herezgovina and Portugal before they head to Brasil to prepare for Cameroon.

Next up will be a couple of posts on language and hopefully a preview of the three cities we are going to visit.