RSS
ATOM
advertisement
International Spirit On Display At Copa NYC
New York City is in the midst of the first annual Copa NYC, keeping the city's soccer fanatics in a buzz. Goal.com Whitney Warren has the scoop.
Jul 26, 2009 7:40:50 PM
The first annual Copa NYC soccer tournament kicked off Saturday morning in Flushing, Queens, to sparse but enthusiastic crowds. Organized by Chris Noble and Spencer Dormitzer, the two-week tournament was conceived as a means to promote an “appreciation of urban soccer” while encouraging dialogue between “as many groups of people as possible.” Sixteen countries took to the fields for the inaugural tournament, divided into four groupings of four in the traditional round robin format. And while the Ronaldos, Kakas, Messis, and other elite talents were missing, filling the void of internationally recognized players were sixteen teams playing with the passion, energy, and fervor that have long defined global soccer competitions.
Consisting of players local to the NYC region, many had already been playing together through various leagues. As several members of the United States team noted, most of them had been playing with or against each other in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and had joined forces for the tournament. Others, such as the French delegation, had practiced just once as a team before the tournament. French captain Zohair was admittedly a bit relieved to see his team through to the next round, citing the “shaky” practice as reason for concern heading into the day’s matches.
The beauty of the event was perhaps best emphasized by the plethora of matches to whet any soccer enthusiast’s appetite. Three games continuously in action -- save for the fifteen minutes separating the final whistle from the kickoff of yet another match -- made for a healthy dose of footy. Flags flapped in the wind atop each of the three field’s stands, indicating which teams were in the midst of battle. What fans did make the trek out to Flushing made their presence known. From the large Irish contingent of spectators urging on their boys in green to a handful of vocal Argentinean supporters, complete with drums, the tournament’s first day was ripe with the colorful blend of cultures that makes international soccer events such unforgettable experiences.
The competition held up its end of the bargain as well. Each team -- with the slight exception of a visibly exhausted Korean team practically laying down in their last game, a 6-0 defeat, against Jamaica -- played inspired, creative, and competitive soccer. It was nearly impossible to keep track of all the action taking place. Perched at the top of one of the stands, my friends and I were forced to keep our heads on a swivel. Watching one game while keeping our ears tuned to the oohs and ahhs emanating from the fans taking in the action to our backs, we found ourselves regularly whipping around to try to catch a scoring opportunity only to miss one right in front of us.
As impressive was the players’ ability to deal with the heat. Sun and humidity were out in force, and save for rain’s brief appearance, there was little respite during the grueling matches.
As the day came to a close, Jamaica, Albania, Cyprus, France, England, and Mexico appeared favorites heading into matchday two. Similar to many soccer tournaments, the two teams from each group with the highest points advance to Sunday, whereupon quarterfinal eliminations begin. Next weekend will see the winners of this Sunday’s matches meet before the final on Sunday, August 2, 2009.
Ireland played in two of the most exciting matches of the day. In their first match, they raced to a 3-0 lead over Colombia before Los Cafeteros answered with two long distance strikes to make things interesting. With mere seconds left, Colombia put several shots on goal, one off the post, before the referee mercifully -- at least for Ireland -- ended the game. In their second against a visibly and audibly passionate French side, the two teams took a 1-1 game into the dwindling minutes of the game. Two strikes by the French seemed to have the game decided, but Ireland made Les Bleus sweat it out, scoring in a scrum to make it 3-2. With seconds left, Ireland watched as their last goal scoring opportunity trickled left of the goal, sealing the game’s fate.
Throughout the day, goals were plentiful, and in the spirit of “Copa” competition, celebrations were rarely understated. A Liberian team salute, a Ghanaian shoe shining, and a French pile-on couldn’t help but remind everyone -- including, I would think, the tournament organizers -- just why everyone was there.
Whitney Warren, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Consisting of players local to the NYC region, many had already been playing together through various leagues. As several members of the United States team noted, most of them had been playing with or against each other in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and had joined forces for the tournament. Others, such as the French delegation, had practiced just once as a team before the tournament. French captain Zohair was admittedly a bit relieved to see his team through to the next round, citing the “shaky” practice as reason for concern heading into the day’s matches.
The beauty of the event was perhaps best emphasized by the plethora of matches to whet any soccer enthusiast’s appetite. Three games continuously in action -- save for the fifteen minutes separating the final whistle from the kickoff of yet another match -- made for a healthy dose of footy. Flags flapped in the wind atop each of the three field’s stands, indicating which teams were in the midst of battle. What fans did make the trek out to Flushing made their presence known. From the large Irish contingent of spectators urging on their boys in green to a handful of vocal Argentinean supporters, complete with drums, the tournament’s first day was ripe with the colorful blend of cultures that makes international soccer events such unforgettable experiences.
The competition held up its end of the bargain as well. Each team -- with the slight exception of a visibly exhausted Korean team practically laying down in their last game, a 6-0 defeat, against Jamaica -- played inspired, creative, and competitive soccer. It was nearly impossible to keep track of all the action taking place. Perched at the top of one of the stands, my friends and I were forced to keep our heads on a swivel. Watching one game while keeping our ears tuned to the oohs and ahhs emanating from the fans taking in the action to our backs, we found ourselves regularly whipping around to try to catch a scoring opportunity only to miss one right in front of us.
As impressive was the players’ ability to deal with the heat. Sun and humidity were out in force, and save for rain’s brief appearance, there was little respite during the grueling matches.
As the day came to a close, Jamaica, Albania, Cyprus, France, England, and Mexico appeared favorites heading into matchday two. Similar to many soccer tournaments, the two teams from each group with the highest points advance to Sunday, whereupon quarterfinal eliminations begin. Next weekend will see the winners of this Sunday’s matches meet before the final on Sunday, August 2, 2009.
Ireland played in two of the most exciting matches of the day. In their first match, they raced to a 3-0 lead over Colombia before Los Cafeteros answered with two long distance strikes to make things interesting. With mere seconds left, Colombia put several shots on goal, one off the post, before the referee mercifully -- at least for Ireland -- ended the game. In their second against a visibly and audibly passionate French side, the two teams took a 1-1 game into the dwindling minutes of the game. Two strikes by the French seemed to have the game decided, but Ireland made Les Bleus sweat it out, scoring in a scrum to make it 3-2. With seconds left, Ireland watched as their last goal scoring opportunity trickled left of the goal, sealing the game’s fate.
Throughout the day, goals were plentiful, and in the spirit of “Copa” competition, celebrations were rarely understated. A Liberian team salute, a Ghanaian shoe shining, and a French pile-on couldn’t help but remind everyone -- including, I would think, the tournament organizers -- just why everyone was there.
Whitney Warren, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
4 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no Mr. February
The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
Advertisement
Advertisement