Mexico National Team

The Mexican National team hasn’t been living up to its standards lately. They haven’t won a single game this year and they’re coming in with only 3 points for the World Cup Qualifiers. I cannot really complain because we haven’t lost either.  The Mexican National Team has been tied with opponents who don’t measure up to them. Teams like Jamaica have been able to play well enough to keep our best strikers from scoring and this is usually not the case.

In October of 2010, the Mexican National Team announced they would have a new coach. And in February of 2011, Jose Manuel “El Chepo” De La Torre made his debut.  Out of the 11 games he coached that year only 1 of them was a loss. His statistics were good, and the Mexico National team was winning big. During the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Mexico won with score lines of 5-0 although it always wasn’t the case. That summer, the Mexico National Team won the Gold Cup against the United States National Team even though they were down by 2 goals. That day will always be remembered and not only because Mexico won the Gold Cup, but because of the magnificent goal Giovani Dos Santos scored.

It seemed like we were winning by a lot but their play didn’t live up to the score in many of the matches. Two years later we see ourselves in the World Cup Qualifiers playing the way we should have always played, but now the score is the one who doesn’t live up. Although there is not much to worry about yet because we have only lost 3 games of the 32 played since “El Chepo” has been here, we have to make a few changes in our squads.  “El Chepo” De La Torre likes to experiment with new players, placing them in different positions. For the Mexico vs Peru game on April 27th, he called up the less experienced players.And even though we haven’t been winning as much as we should have, I, along with many other Mexican fans, trust “El Chepo.” I believe he will straighten up the players and bring us the joy of seeing the Mexican National team win once again.

Espanyol: The other club

Last weekend I attended an Espanyol game for the first time. I know what you´re thinking: What is a Barça fan doing at an Espanyol game? In my defense I wasn´t there for the teams I was there because two of my favorite Mexican players were playing: Andres Guardado and Hector Moreno. I don´t regret going, football is football. Its a beautiful game and it doesn´t matter who plays. I was surprised with with how many people showed up. I´m not saying they have a small fan base but I´ve seen different Espanyol games and the stadium never looked as full as when I went.

My trip to the stadium started with a funny story. I´m so bad at planning, anything whether its an important trip or a small event the next day. I showed up at the metro not knowing what metro stop to get off at but I did see a few Espanyol fans. I would just follow them, and I did. I followed them almost to the stadium until a group of Espanyol fans chanting and yelling made their way to me. They asked me if I was going to the Espanyol game and I nodded, so one of the girls grabbed my hand and dragged me into their group, accepting me as one of their own. How mad do you think they will be if they found out I was a Barça fan?, was all I kept thinking. They didn´t ask me if I was an Espanyol fan so technically I wasn´t lying. Some did look at me confused as to whether I wasn´t joining in the chants, but they just assumed I was shy. As we arrived at the stadium one of the guys handed me an Espanyol scarf. Don´t push it. I did grab it though, but I did not wear it. We had an interesting conversation about how I was from the US and they were surprised that I knew that much about football being American and a girl.

As the game was about to start I headed to my seat and realized that the Espanyol games had a different atmosphere. Espanyol is more of a  family club, most people don´t become fans because they think the club is great or because its popular. They don´t have as many titles as other Spanish teams although they have been successful. The reason why most Espanyol fans are Espanyol fans is because their parents were Espanyol fans, and so were their grandparents. The love for the team is passed down from generation to generation and that’s how they keep the club and fan base alive. It was different from other games I´ve been to. In all the Barça games I´ve been too there is a man or group of people sitting behind me yelling insults or criticizing our players when they miss a shot. During the Espanyol game I heard none. I know not all Barça fans are the same way and not all Espanyol fans are completely loyal to their club. But while I was there the fans clapped whenever a player missed, like giving them their support, even for Sergio Garcia who was not having a good game.

As minute 21 approached people started to clap. They clapped for a straight minute in honor of the Espanyol player Daniel Jarque who died at the age of 26. He wore the kit number 21. Right inside the stadium there is also a statue in his honor, he was a very loved player.

The Espanyol fans get a little too happy when the team scores. The guy next to me who I didn´t even know turned to me and hugged me and then continued to jump up and down. My overall experience was a great one. I would definitely go again maybe this time not alone.

More than a Club

The name Barcelona is mentioned and for many the first thing that comes to mind is the team. To some, it is the best team in the world. FC Barcelona or Barça as it is referred to by fans is one of the most successful football clubs not just in Spain but in the rest of the world. FC Barcelona was founded on November 29, 1899 by Hans-Max Gamper or Joan Gamper as he is known by most. The club has become more of a symbol of Catalan culture and pride. Barça is not just a club. Barça is a way of life, an inspiration, a reminder to keep fighting and to never give up. Their motto “Més que un club” means just that to many fans, more than a club.

Barcelona is considered one of the greatest clubs in the world but not only for their titles and victories. FC Barcelona is a club of values. Many values are instilled in the players at a young age. Many of the players playing in Barcelona are homegrown players, those who have been playing for FC Barcelona their whole life. Barcelona has a youth academy called La Masia where education is taken very seriously. Boys are admitted at a young age where they not only practice and play football but they also attend school. La Masia takes education very seriously because they know that most players admitted to La Masia do not make it to Barça. They want those who do not make it to be able to go on and do something else with their life, sometimes it’s things that do not relate to football.  It was started by one of the best players to have played for FC Barcelona, Johan Cruyff. The majority of the players currently playing for FC Barcelona went through La Masia.

As Francisco Franco came into power, the Catalans suffered greatly under his rule. He preferred current rival team Real Madrid and they were even referred to as “Franco’s white army.” He banned the use of Catalan and often times used to his power to help Real Madrid achieve their goals. Many FC Barcelona fans are proud of the team because even through the hardships they have had to overcome they have still become one of the most successful clubs, teaching fans that even when the world is against one, one has to keep fighting. To this day the Clásico, the match between FC Barcelona’s biggest rival Real Madrid, is one of the most important matches in the world. It is not just two teams playing a game; it represents the hardships the Catalans had to suffer. It is a game to let everyone know, that even after everything FC Barcelona has been through they are still here and they are still strong.

Credit to http://azul-grana.tumblr.com

FC Barcelona has become a symbol of Catalan culture and pride. During the minute 17:14 of each half many fans, Catalan or not, start yelling “Independencia!” At a Barça game, it is not uncommon to see people with the independence flag. When FC Barcelona plays, it is not just representing great football, it represents the many Catalans who suffered. It represents the current Catalans that have certain problems with identity, that they feel more Catalan than Spanish. It represents the discrimination many Catalans still suffer and the many other fans that even though they are not Catalan they believe in justice.

The hardships Barça has had to overcome are not all relating to the banning of their language and the discrimination. A couple years ago one of Barcelona’s player Eric Abidal was diagnosed with a tumor in his liver. He underwent surgery just a few days later. Just when it was thought that he had beaten it, it came back once again. The club announced that Abidal would have to undergo a liver transplant. His cousin was the donor and in April of 2012 Abidal underwent surgery. On April 6, 2013, 406 days later, Abidal was finally able to play again against Mallorca in a 5-0 home win. Mallorca was not the only defeated that day. Barcelona’s coach Tito Vilanova was also diagnosed with cancer in 2011. It was thought that he had beaten it but in December of 2012 the club announced that Vilanova was suffering from parotid gland cancer for the second time. He too underwent surgery once again and during the Mallorca game Tito Vilanova made his return.  Barcelona did not just win that game 5-0 they also beat cancer 4-0. If one asks any Barcelona fan, they will say that the victory does not matter what matters is the health of the players. Tito Vilanova told Abidal something that applies to most of the Barça fans, “Your fight is our strength.” And it is.

Although Barcelona has won their fair share of trophies and championships, every fan knows that is not what makes the club one of the greatest. Barcelona has won many trophies from the Champion’s League to the FIFA Club World Cup. Championships are not always the most important. What makes the team great are the values instilled in the players, to play fair, to be determined and to never give up.

Manchester

As spring break approached all I kept hearing was my classmates speaking about traveling to different places during their break. Going from Ibiza to Paris to Rome sounded a bit exhausting. I opted for a different option, why not just go to one place for a whole week? It would give me much more time to get to know the city and I wouldn´t be rushed.

As a child I had always been a Manchester United fan. My brother who is two years older than me introduced me to Manchester United while I was very young. Although now, it isn´t my favorite team it still holds a special place in my heart. I grew up watching Manchester United games and dreaming about one day going to Old Trafford. I decided that for my spring break I would take a week long trip to Manchester.

Manchester was not at all as I thought. It wasn´t the way many of my friends described London to me. London  is much more of a touristic spot and Manchester, well Manchester doesn´t seem to have many tourists. In the week I was there I did not find one souvenir shop. Don´t tell me that´s not strange. I felt so at home in Manchester for a simple reason. It reminded me too much of Chicago. There were times where I would walk around the city center, look around and think to my self: Am I in Chicago?

As anyone can imagine my first stop was definitely Old Trafford. It is such a beautiful stadium, one of my favorites to say the least. And I´ve gone to many football stadiums in my lifetime. The whole experience was amazing, I can´t really point out a specific event that happened or a specific section of the stadium I liked because I loved it all. The museum was a lot smaller than I would have thought, its definitely not as big as other ones I´ve visited but  it is very informative. If you want to learn about the club´s history, the museum does a spectacular job in showing it.

I was so glad I spent a week, even though that week clearly wasn´t long enough, in that city. I can´t imagine spending just two days there and then having to go to another city. I enjoyed my stay. The only bad part? It was so cold! I was so used to the Barcelona weather and then I end up in Manchester. I will definitely be going there again, maybe this time when its a bit warmer.

El Clasico

On Tuesday February 26th one of the biggest matches in the world occurred, El Clasico. El Clasico is a match between the biggest Spanish rivals, Barcelona and Real Madrid. This rivalry has been an ongoing rivalry for many years, traced back to the Franco dictatorship. Franco used Real Madrid as a way to advertise himself. He made sure Real Madrid became one of the best clubs in Europe so the Spanish had something to be proud of. And in that sense make himself look as ‘the good guy.’ He also used it as an excuse to oppress Catalans, banning their language and culture. Real Madrid became Franco’s ‘pure and white ambassadors.’ There have been different myths about Franco using his power to have Real Madrid beat Barcelona as well as other teams. Since then, Real Madrid not only represents a team it represents the suffering, the injustice, and hardships faced during that era.

I was lucky enough to find tickets to the game just a few hours before the game. They were very expensive but definitely worth it. I sat on the second level and was only a few rows away from the players. A Clasico is like no other game I’ve ever been to, you see the worst and the best in people during these kind of matches. Barcelona during this game was not the Barcelona I knew. They weren’t playing the way they always played. They made many mistakes and at times they seemed to be a bit confused on what they should be doing. Although Barcelona didn’t win, I had so much fun and I was so close to the players. It was an experience I will never forget.

Ronaldinho – Olympic Museum

The Olympic Museum in Barcelona is one every sport fan has to see. From basketball to gymnastics you’re bound to find something relating to the sport you enjoy. As a huge Barcelona fan, the item that stood out to me the most was Ronaldinho’s boot.

Ronaldinho was born, Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1980. He is often linked to Barça’s success. Ronaldinho not only scored 70 goals with the team but he also led them to victories and titles. He is also known for being the one to take the great Lionel Messi under his wing. Messi has said that Ronaldinho was more or less of a mentor to him; he often tried to copy his style of play. Lionel Messi was only a teenager when he first came to Barcelona, and Ronaldinho helped him settle in. Although Barça’s success isn’t owed only to Ronaldinho, we can agree that with his skills and talent, he played a big role.

At the time of his signing I was only 10 years old, and just starting to like Barcelona. He not only managed to become my favorite player but he managed to become, my idol, my inspiration, and the reason for me to start playing. I wanted to play like him, be like him, and do everything he did. It was no surprise to me that Messi felt the same way. When I first saw his boot, I had so many emotions. It was the thought that he used those same boots to score his many goals bringing Barcelona many victories, and bringing me pride and happiness.

The more time I spend in this city the more I feel like this is the place where I might belong. I came here thinking all I wanted to do was go to the Barcelona games and that’s about all Barcelona could offer. It’s not that I didn’t know about all the history, the culture, the beautiful language, or the countless beautiful buildings, I just didn’t want to open myself too much to this city because I knew I was going to completely fall in love with it. And when the time came to leave I wasn’t going to be able to do it, that’s what I was afraid of. I guess it’s a bit too late now. Maybe one day I’ll come back and live here but right now I’m just going to focus on the time I have here. Yesterday my roommates and I went to yet another Barcelona game, and each time I walk into that beautiful stadium it never ceases to surprise me. The Barcelona game against Getafe was at noon. The last time Camp Nou had a game at that time was in 1965 but I don’t know why. Out of all the games I’ve attended, this one was my favorite. It was more family oriented. I think the best thing about going to Barcelona games is seeing  people from all ages, backgrounds, etc, coming together to show their support for this amazing club. We are all coming together to enjoy a game, a sport, that to me isn’t only a sport but a way of life.

Més Que Un Club

It’s been more than two weeks since I first arrived to Barcelona but it seems like a lot longer. So much has happened since I stepped off that airplane.  The first few days are a blur; I barely remember the airport, or the day I arrived here. I´m still trying to get used to it all, the culture, the language, the city in general. When I first arrived, I felt so out of place, like I didn’t belong here but each day that goes by convinces me that this is where I belong.  I can definitely see myself living here for the rest of my life, maybe not now but later. Who knows?  I’m so in love with the city and everything it has to offer. Barcelona is the home of greatest team, and as a big Barça fan, I am where I need to be. Since I’ve been here I’ve attended every home game. Each time I step foot into the stadium it takes my breath away; I don’t think anything I see here can top Camp Nou. It looks even better when it’s filled with people chanting “Barça!” Gives you the chills. I will not get tired of repeating how much the people get into the game. Soccer here is not just a sport. And to many, Barça is not just a club. Barça is a way of life, an inspiration, a reminder to keep fighting and to never give up. Barça is ‘més que un club.’