The World Cup!

While I may still be a bit disappointed, and sadden by the fact that I could not afford to go to the World Cup I am totally embracing the WC culture right here in Salt Lake! For yesterday's match between England and the US, I along with my friend Michelle watched the match with three fellow Brits. It was so much fun to watch the game with them because they were able to bring a small dosage of English soccer culture with them. Since I have never been able to fully capture the English soccer culture in person, it was fun to capture a bit of it yesterday. I was able to see bits and pieces of their rowdy vocals, their over the top intelligent-conscious remarks, and a bit of the "typical" apparel one Englishman or woman might wear. I really enjoyed every moment of it especially more so because of the tie and the goal blunder by the England goalie Green.

Days leading up to the WC thought that I would not be able to capture the emotions, the excitement, the disappointments, and the anticaption that other US cities would have as well as all around the world, but I was wrong! Little Salt Lake just like NY, Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland and LA is just as vibrant and embracing the WC culture as those other US cities! It has been absolutely lovely watching Salt Lake emerge as a city that is excited. Now living on the west side of SLC, I see the WC culture even more vibrant! Local businesses all around my neighborhood have soccer ball cut outs decorating the store's windows. I have seen different families put up American flags on their property with signs next to the flag saying "GO USA!" It truly has been a joy seeing SLC find it's soccer excitement, especially because of the Real Salt Lake's own and former Oregon Stater, Robbie Findley is on the US team. It's been wonderful seeing normal people walk around Salt Lake wearing a Real Salt Lake Findley jersey.

I am so happy to be engaging, and embracing the WC culture myself! I bought a USA World Cup t-shirt to show my support as well. I am trying to watch and or listen to as many games as possible, and I am trying to meet as many excited about the WC Utahans as I possibly can meet. So I end this blog post with this insight...you don't have to be in South Africa, or New York, or Mexico, or even Europe for that matter, to have a large group of people really EMBRACE, show excitement and follow USA soccer, or England like my fellow British friends intensely do right here in Salt Lake City. GO USA!