Soldier Field was home to the Chicago Fire – Chicago’s major league soccer team, from 1998 to 2005, although Chicagoans tend to know Soldier Field as home of the Bears. But, while the Fire’s home stadium is now in Toyota Park in Bridgeview, it didn’t stop Spain and Mexico from lighting another fire with soccer fans at Soldier Field this past Sunday.
That’s right, while on their 2008 USA Tour, FC Barcelona played an exciting game against CD Guadalajara Chivas in Chicago.
While I’m not a soccer — or futbal fan, (or anything fan for that matter), who would want to miss the opportunity to watch a sport that generates more than American football, Basketball, or any American sport combined? I mean, why the heck did Beckham get sponsored by numerous advertising names all for a whopping $250 million a year to come to the U.S.? Well, while I’ve seen him without a shirt, I’m sure there’s more to it than that. In fact, I initially assumed it was because soccer, a global entity, not only generates income for every country, but, ironically, no matter what country you’re from, soccer also happens to be an inexpensive sport to play. No shoulder pads and helmets. No ice skates or hockey sticks. Just cleats and the opportunity for all to participate and compete, no matter who you are, or what your standing is on the socio-economic ladder.
During the match, the FC Barcelona and CD Guadalajara fans, crowned with jerseys in support of their favorite players, taught me that while money may still have something to do with it, Love’s got more to do with it than that. And, a little tear-jerking, but, soccer is a sport that unites so many cultures together to share a common thread or threads; a soccer ball, a field, and the love for the sport. Not only do teams from England and Brazil get to compete, but, often, you’ll find that players on each team’s roster may even originate from the country of the opposing team. Trading, without discrimination which may be a lesson our country can learn in the face of recent adversity.
Anyway, I am happy to see that America is doing its supportive part to get more involved globally, that other countries are reciprocating, and that I’m learning more about sports (although I still maintain that $250 million is a little steep just to see some hot guy with a sexy accent in an underwear add). Oh, yeah, and in case you’re wondering, Barca won 5 -2 Chivas.
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