World Cup 2014
By Mic Porte
There I was, Thursday morning June 12, worrying about security in my hometown of Pacific Beach, the highest crime area in the city of San Diego. I was wondering how to interpret the previous evening’s powder-puff security forum at PB Middle School hosted by the new chief of police, Shelley Zimmerman and new temporary “everyman” council person/ lifeguard lieutenant, Ed Harris. Still mulling over the layers of bureaucracy that muddle the question of “who’s in charge now?” all of a sudden, I remembered.
I remembered what I’d been telling myself not to forget for the past several busy months. The Thing. The World Cup of Football(Soccer). Yes, it was here and I am penning this “au revoir” for the next several weeks to everything else. My thoughts turn to the strivings of athletic souls and stalwart warriors of the field , team against team, nation against nation, method against method, player against player, all football, all the time, thank you FIFA!
This is the only football that I watch, the best excuse ever to ignore the security problems on Garnet Avenue. And for you body lovers, these are the best bodies in sport, so enjoy.
Each match starts with a heartfelt song of national pride conveying steadfast hope. Then there is the first defeat, which is what makes the early rounds the most poignant. It was Brazil v Croatia. Croatia’s national anthem seemed vaguely familiar with its classical strains and what seemed like parts of other national anthems. They sang with heart…like crusaders in a far away land, which they are.
The Brazil supporters sang so loud in the stadium that you couldn’t hear the music of their anthem, but it sounded as rich and diverse as their country. The cheering was on. Who’s gonna win? Brazil is always one of the best teams in the world.
11:00, 11 minutes, once minutos, the first gooooooooollllll! of the 2014 World Cup for Croatia was a big surprise. Then attack after attack by the Brazilian team and it looks like its going to be a really really really tough match for Croatia, except that for now they are winning. The Gods have given Croatia permission to lose this one with honor.
First day, first match, wild start, anything goes…
Minute 28:54 score by Brazil, tie game, everyone in the stands takes a deep breath.
Things are getting tense in the second part of the second half, still tied, until the 72nd minute when Brazil scores from a penalty in the zone free kick now 2 -1. The Brazilians are singing and it sounds like the voice of God. Twenty minutes more of intense defense. The Croatian crusaders pour on everything they have and it is a plenty. Then, at the last minute, Brazil scores again, 3-1 and the crowd is going crazy. Go Brazil!
As for PB politics, it can wait. I’m enjoying the world at play. Watch a game, never take your eye off of the ball, pick a team, and live and die with them for the duration of the World Cup. Go World!
Micaela Shafer Porte is a San Diego beach town native, a Pacific Beach activist, and artist-illustrator.
Micaela Shafer Porte
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