Football (or Soccer, Fusbol, Futbol or Footie) is the worlds game.
I consider the game to be an international language, and the most beautiful part about it is the fact that it transcends nationality, ethnicity, cultural, political and philosophical boundaries to help people from across the globe relate to one another.
Almost every nation in the world has a national level football association, and many have leagues. Those leagues play each on a continental scale and then internationally in many tournaments. I myself have seen teams play here in Philadelphia from Mexico, Scotland, and England. Not only do these teams play each other, they also trade player on an international level.
After the jump...about teams and leagues and the possibilities of seeing competition:
What teams to see (and possibility): lets go in order of our estimated arrival dates...
Nation: Colombia
FIFA Ranking: 50th
National League: Liga Postobon
Teams of Interest: Cali (Cali), America (Cali), Millionarios (Bogota), Independiente (Medillen), Once Caldes (Manizales)
League timetable: league play starts in Feb, playoffs should be happening in November when we arrive.
Very interested to see a team in Colombia, specifically Cali or America de Cali because of their links to the Union. Deportivo Cali was the training grounds for Union newcomer Faryd Mondragon, as was America de Cali for incoming defender Carlos Valdez and 2nd year midfielder Roger Torres (a big fan favorite here in Philly) also player for America. I am unsure if I will be making a stop in metropolitan Cali, from what I hear it is not the safest place. I hope to be able to make a match somewhere, even if it is not a well known team. Unfortunately I will have to wait til later in the year for a more conclusive time table on games.
FIFA Ranking: 14th
National League: Chilean Primera Division (Campeonato Nacional Petrobras)
Teams of Interest: the National Team (what a blast to watch them in WC'10), Colo-Colo, Universidad de Chile.
League Timetable: (from wikipedia) First, the Apertura tournament is played (usually held between January and June), and then is followed by the Clausura tournament (between July and December). For each Apertura and Clausura tournament, a single round-robin tournament, called the regular phase, is played first. Afterwards, a post-season play-off begins, where the best eight teams in each single-round tournament eliminate each other in the knockout tournament format in two-leg aggregate-score. In this way, there are two champions per season.
This is more than likely as the seasons will be converging during our time in Chile. It seems that most of the clubs are based in or around Santiago, so that will most likely be our best bet. I have a contact there (a lady named Yoli) who may be able to get more information for me.
FIFA Ranking: 5th
National League: Argentina Primera Division
Teams of Interest: River Plate (Union med Eduardo Coudet player here), Boca Juniors (world famous club), Independiente, and several others.
League Timetable: (from wikipedia) The 20 teams play two single round-robin tournaments each year: the Apertura from August to December and the Clausura from February to June. The format for each is identical and each crowns a national champion. The names of the tournaments literally translate to "Opening" and "Closing", respectively, although the English translation is rarely used. This scheme was introduced in 1990 to replace the austral season, and was at the time, alien to Argentines — who live in the Southern Hemisphere and are used to sports seasons that span a single calendar year (for example 2004, as opposed to 2004/05).
This is honestly what I am most interested in, seeing one of the world famous Buenos Aires based clubs would be awesome. The passion here is intense, and sometimes very violent. I have planned to make my 2 week break in the trip be in Argentina and had been thinking of doing so in Metro B.A. I think I will hate myself if I do not make it to a match in the homeland of Lionel Messi and Maradona.
Other possibilities and unfortunate schedules:
Brazil seems to play any other month but which we will be there, so outside of international level fixtures we may be out of luck if we want to catch a Corinthians or Flamengo. Ronaldihno is back in his homeland, so any chance to see him would be a plus. Violence and corruption are also rampant amongst football in Brazil so this may be another factor in not being able to see a fixture.
Other possibilities include:
Copa Libertadores - an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the most prestigious club competition in South American football and one of the most watched events in the world, broadcast in 135 nations worldwide. The tournament is named in honour of the Libertadores (Portuguese and Spanish for Liberators), the main leaders of the South American wars of independence.
Copa Sudamericana - an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. Despite being organized by CONMEBOL, CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004 and 2008. Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues and cup competitions.
Next week I will see my first match of my favorite game this year when I see the Union, play my hometown club, Orlando City, back home where I grew up and where I first watched this most beautiful of games with my grandfather Gordon (who passed when I was 12). Its very fitting considering Orlando will be the launching point for this trip.
Ole!
No comments:
Post a Comment