How do you say Jogo Bonito?
All the World’s a Futebol
By Bob Boyle
“People say football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” — Scottish Football Manager Bill Shankly
Sports fans around the globe know the late Bill Shankly’s epic quote well. The punchline packs a dose of fun and fury for even the most reluctant or skeptical would-be soccer fan.
Best known for his dynamic personality and prolific success as the manager of England’s iconic Liverpool Football Club from 1959 to 1974, Sir Shankly’s contribution to sport ranks among the great leadership legacies. His quip about the centrality of football earns its rightful place alongside classic words of sports wisdom.
This month, beginning on June 12, nearly two billion soccer fans will gather in cities, villages and remote outposts around the world for the month-long world championship competition that is the 2014 FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup in Brazil.
While it may be cliché to describe the world’s most popular sport as the ultimate game of many forms, cultures, languages and nicknames – American “soccer,” Brazilian “futebol de salão or futsal,” British “footy,” Portuguese “futebol,” and Spanish “fútbol” – its marquee event commands a disproportionate share of the world’s attention every four years.
This year, FIFA anticipates a cumulative audience of more than 25 billion viewers. Were he around to experience the global phenomenon his beloved football has become, Bill Shankly would not be disappointed.
One game, one rhythm
“Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string.” – Pelé (Brazil’s 2014 World Cup Ambassador)
19th century English schoolmasters, students and servicemen “invented” Association Football (soccer) – as most of the world knows the game today. That spawned offspring sports such as Rugby, Gaelic Football, American Football and Australian Rules Football. Brazilians brought soul, rhythm and their own ingenious interpretations to the game in the form of Jogo Bonito – The Beautiful Game.
And no conversation about Jogo Bonito would be complete without a salute to the greatest athlete to ever lace up a pair of futebol boots, the great Brazilian Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé.
As the driving force and creative spark behind three World Cup champion teams, Pelé introduced a distinctly Brazilian flavor and intentionality to the game. His mastery of the ball, drive to dazzle opponents and fans and his hunger to win and inspire his teammates serves as a historic response to more conservative, linear or systematic styles taking shape in Europe.
When asked to contrast the European and South American styles and systems of play, Pelé didn’t miss a beat. “Our football comes from the heart, theirs comes from the mind.”
O say can you see
“I tried to show that the fans are the people that matter. You’ve got to know how to treat them (and) have them on your side.” – Bill Shankly
Despite somewhat sobering statistics regarding America’s lukewarm interest in the World Cup, there is no shortage of healthy debate as to whether American sports fans will ever fully embrace soccer beyond the amateur, youth and grassroots level.
Nonetheless, mainstream US media powerhouses such as ESPN, FOX Sports, Univision and NBC Sports are going all in for soccer as attendance at 2014 Major League Soccer (MLS) events climbs to just over 19,000 fans per game, and domestic TV viewership increases by more than 50 percent over the 2013 season.
Credible data streams show American soccer interest and participation is trending upward. This is the result of a combination of measurable factors – not the least of which includes youth participation, which stands at nearly four million registered players.
Helping to fuel this trend are better domestic players, better play, top foreign talent and expanded access to global matches via the Internet.
Simply put, soccer is gradually carving out a sustainable and resilient fan base in North America.
Preparing for the festivities
Leading US soccer advocates and critics insist the American sports psyche, with a few notable exceptions, demands winners. Following a recent first-place World Cup qualification campaign among regional powers Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica and Panama, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) stands at #14 on FIFA’s global power ranking (out of over 200 nations).
All odds of the US winning or losing considered, let’s grant the typical American sports fan credit. Many are actually more interested in how their American teams play, fight or honor the competition.
As US Olympic athletes and teams have demonstrated over the years, US athletes do in fact bring home lots of medals, trophies and cups. But the ones fans seem to revere and respect most do so with class and style on the world stage. And perhaps most importantly, American sports fans harbor a chronic soft spot for underdogs.
So as the USMNT prepares to battle the world’s elite soccer teams and players in Brazil in June and July, local fans, coaches and players are preparing for the festivities.
Park Hill is no exception. Whether it’s a Rapids game being played at Quebec and 60th, pick up futsal at Holly Peace Park, club and school team practices at Smiley Middle School, or viewing live action at Three Lions Pub, Oblio’s or GB’s Fish & Chips, Jogo Bonito is alive, well and on the move in northeast Denver.
Bob Boyle is a Park Hill resident, dad, lifelong soccer fan, player, coach and youth sports advocate. All feedback, questions and soccer story ideas welcome and appreciated via email at reboyle7@gmail.com
Resources and Local Summer Soccer Events
June 5 – 8: World Football Film Festival
A multi-day festival of film and special programs around “World Football” (Soccer) in celebration of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Features a diverse slate of 8-10 soccer-oriented films, events and social activities. More information at denverfilm.org
June 16 – 20 / Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to noon: Summer SOCCER and a MOVIE Kickoff Camp
AGES 6 – 10. Participants play games and learn basic soccer skills with experienced coaches at City Park in the mornings, followed by lunch and soccer-inspired films. All campers receive a tee shirt and a ball.
Fees: $275 per player. All proceeds benefit America SCORES Denver and 303 FUTSAL. For registration: soccerelectric.com
June 17 – 19 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. STREET FEET Attacking Soccer Clinic at McAuliffe International School.
AGES 11 – 15, all levels. All campers receive a tee shirt. Fees: $125 per player. All proceeds benefit America SCORES Denver and 303 FUTSAL. Registration: soccerelectric.com
America SCORES Denver (ASD) @
americascoresdenver.org
ASD provides soccer, poetry and service learning programming to over 300 Denver Public Schools students. Over the course of the school year, poet-athletes engage in more than 60 hours of poetry workshops and engage in more than 100 hours of physical activity.
Colorado Rapids Soccer Club @ coloradorapids.com
World-class professional soccer in Commerce City as Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni leads the 2010 Major League Soccer champions.
Rapids Youth Soccer @ rapidsyouthsoccer.org
Young soccer players from diverse backgrounds are inspired to reach their full potential. The club provides youth development, education, and inspiration through the sport. info@rapidsyouthsoccer.org
Soccer for Success @ rapidsyouthsoccer.org
United States Soccer Foundation’s youth development program provides free programming to nearly 1,200 youth in northeast Denver and Aurora at 18 schools.