Lehigh University Athletics
Kyle Chin's World Cup Blog
6/15/2014 12:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Features
Kyle Chin, a rising junior on the Lehigh men's soccer team, is in Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He will be following Team USA to each of its games and will be blogging about his experiences along the way.
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Sunday
June 29, 2014
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Many fans here in Brazil booked their flights home for today. The group stage is officially over and for sixteen countries it is the end of the road. Some of the big soccer nations including England, Italy, Spain and Portugal, among others, are now on summer vacation or headed back to their club teams. For Team USA, the "group of death" that included Ghana, Portugal and Germany was supposed to be too difficult for the Americans to advance. However, after advancing out of the group in second place, I am thankful that I will not be on a flight to Los Angeles, but instead looking forward to Salvador where USA will play Belgium in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
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This past Thursday was spent in Recife for the match vs. Germany. Similar to Natal (where USA vs. Ghana was played), the city of Recife is located right on the Atlantic coast and it was raining when we arrived. However, in Natal the rain stopped. In Recife, it rained all through the night and into the morning. We were in Recife for 36 hours, all of which were spent at the hotel; we never made it to the game.
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Early Thursday morning around 7am we waited for the bus that was supposed to take us to the stadium (about an hour away) hoping to avoid traffic for the 1 p.m. kickoff. The rain continued to pour so heavily that the streets and even some of the hotel started to flood and the roads became impassable. About two hours before kickoff we were notified that the buses would not make it and we would have to watch the game in the hotel lobby.
Â
When the rain finally eased up Thursday night we made it to the airport to fly back to Sao Paulo. We met up with some of the other USA fans in the airport and everyone exchanged stories of their unexpected experiences. One group was happy to say that their bus made it to their hotel to pick them up for the game. That was until they told us that they sat on the bus for almost five hours trying to make their way to the stadium but ended up missing the game completely. They said they watched the game through score updates on their phone until the bus' Wi-Fi went out half way through the game. This made our situation watching the game in the hotel lobby not seem so bad anymore. Another group was lucky enough to make it to the game, but had to walk through flooded streets waist to chest deep holding their purses and backpacks above their head. Despite the circumstances, everyone was still excited because Team USA had advanced!Â
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After a crazy 36 hours in Recife we are back in Sao Paulo once again (which is starting to feel like home) and happy to be heading to Salvador Monday night ahead of Tuesday's match vs. Belgium. GO USA!!!
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Thursday
June 26, 2014
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With a quick turnaround and just three days between games, it has been a busy week for both Team USA and fans here in Brazil. We've traveled nearly 7,500 miles within the past ten days flying to and from USA games and the team's home base in Sao Paulo. This past week, the travel schedule has included a four-hour flight to and from Manaus for the USA vs. Portugal game. After returning back to Sao Paulo, we had roughly a day and a half before flying to Recife Wednesday morning ahead of today's match vs. Germany. Despite USA being dealt the most challenging travel schedule of any team in the tournament, the team currently sits tied for first place in the group with four points after two games.
Â
This past weekend was spent in Manaus for the USA vs. Portugal game on Sunday. Manaus was definitely the most anticipated place of the trip because of its location in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Health was a major concern with mosquitos, heat/dehydration and food all a potential risk during the two days that we were there. The bugs in the air were huge with some getting to be the size of a baseball swarming throughout the city and even in the stadium. The tunnels of the stadium were covered with moths and other bugs but thankfully weren't much of a disruption in our actual seats. The stadium itself was amazing even though the construction barely finished in time for the World Cup. Much of the surrounding area, however, did not finish in time; one thing that was missing was a parking lot. Thankfully we were dropped off by bus, but others had to walk a long distance from their car parked in nearby neighborhoods to the stadium.
Â
For the match vs. Portugal itself, there is no other way to describe the experience than absolutely crazy. In the match last week vs. Ghana, the Brazilian locals in the stadium were relatively neutral in terms of what team they cheered for. However, in the match vs. Portugal, the Brazilian locals (who generally populate about half of the stadium) heavily favored cheering for the Portuguese team. Anytime a USA chant would begin during the first half, and especially after the early goal by Nani, deafening chants for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo would immediately silence it. Although it felt like a home game for Portugal, Team USA put together a memorable comeback in the second half before giving up a game-tying goal on the last play of the game. A win would not only have meant a historic upset vs. Portugal in the "group of death," but it would have also guaranteed Team USA a spot in the round of 16. Everyone was in such shock from the goal that not even the Portuguese or Brazilian fans really celebrated the goal.
Â
The next morning we flew back to Sao Paulo base camp where we spent the next day and a half. We took the opportunity to walk more 
of the city and experience the Estadio Municipal and Museo de Futbol. Estadio Municipal is the former home to Corinthians FC who will now play at the new stadium in Sao Paulo that was built for the World Cup. The Museo de Futbol has been integrated into the stadium and shows much of the history of soccer in Brazil. The most interesting part for me was the goal post section for each World Cup explaining "por que ganhamos?" (why we won) or "por que perdemos" (why we lost). The country of Brazil expects to win every World Cup and for the five they have won so far, they give much of the credit to a "genius" that led the team. In the past it has been Pele, Ronaldo, etc. This year they believe Neymar is the one who will be able to win them a sixth World Cup. For the years they didn't win, the reasons (or excuses) were actually pretty funny and clever.
Â
Team USA will now play Germany (ranked No. 2 in the world) today in the third and final group match here in Recife controlling its own destiny – a win or tie and Team USA is through to the round of 16. If I've learned anything during this World Cup so far, it's that rankings mean absolutely nothing. Having been just seconds away from beating the No. 4 ranked team in the world, Portugal, and other top teams, including top-ranked Spain, being eliminated early in the group stage, anything can happen. Prior to the World Cup, many doubted Team USA's ability to even get a point out of this group; and now they have four points after two games. Hopefully we can grab another point, if not three, today vs. Germany. GO USA!!!!
Friday
June 20, 2014
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It's been three days since the USA v. Ghana match and I'm still speechless (literally). I lost my voice during the game and I have barely been able to talk since. I guess that's a good thing though as I lost my voice from all the screaming and celebrating after the two USA goals. I'm not one to really celebrate when I'm watching a game but after Clint Dempsey and John Brooks' goals I was screaming, celebrating and running up and down the aisle in the stadium hugging and cheering with fans. The atmosphere was electric and it was one of those nights you wish would never end; if you watched the game then you probably have an idea of what I'm talking about.
Â
Natal was a great city and the people were very receptive to Americans. One Brazilian kid who I had made friends with during the game asked me afterwards if I would trade jerseys with him like the players do as a way to remember the game. I declined, but offered to take a picture with him instead (picture to the right).
Â
In Natal there was also a turf soccer cage near the hotel where I got to play with both visitors who were staying at the hotel and local Brazilian kids. One Brazilian kid was maybe 11 or 12 years old but had some of the best ball control I've ever seen for someone his age and he easily kept up with some of the older guys. Once or twice, in his broken English, he would even get mad at some of the guys for trying to shoot too much and not controlling the ball and passing it around first.
Â
Following the USA v. Ghana game in Natal, my family and I flew to Sao Paulo where we've spent the past few days. Sao Paulo is a huge city with a lot to do; that is unless Brazil is playing. The first day we arrived in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian team was playing Mexico. With more than 11 million people in the city, the whole city seemed to be shut down except for places where there was a TV. Almost everyone was wearing the bright yellow Brazilian jersey or had the flag waving from their car.
Â
The people live and breathe their country's team, but the people of Sao Paulo also have great passion for their local club as well. Yesterday was a memorable experience getting to visit Sao Paulo FC's training grounds, which is also where Team USA trains and uses as a base camp during the World Cup. Sao Paulo FC is a legendary club in Brazil and is one of the most well-known and successful teams in South America. My cousin and I got to kick around in the free kick arena located next to the training fields where Rogerio Ceni spends much of his time. For those who aren't familiar, Ceni is a legend in Sao Paulo scoring more than 100 goals as a goalkeeper during his career. He is a free kick and penalty kick specialist and runs up the field to take free kicks during games for the team (many of which he scores). According to Sao Paulo FC staff, he spends hours and hours in the free kick arena kicking against the wall perfecting his shot.
Â
Tomorrow my family and I will fly to Manaus ahead of the USA v. Portugal game on Sunday. Many of the stadiums for the World Cup are located on or near the Atlantic coast but Manaus is much further west and lies in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Weather conditions for the game are expected to be the most difficult a team will face in the tournament and there are many small things we must pay attention to. Mosquitos are a big concern along with food choices, as anything that is not cooked including fruits and vegetables are risky and advised against. Besides that, there is a great buzz among USA fans here in Brazil, and from what I've seen on social media, there is quite a buzz back in the United States as well following the exciting victory over Ghana. Hopefully we will experience another exciting match v. Portugal this weekend. GO USA!!!
Sunday
June 15, 2014
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I have just arrived in Natal, Brazil ahead of Team USA's opening match against Ghana on Monday and finally have a moment to relax. I left Los Angeles International Airport Friday afternoon and arrived here in Natal late last night making it more than 24 hours of travel which included a 5 hour layover in Sao Paulo. The airports here were filled with fans from all over the world and it seems like almost everyone was wearing their country's jersey or colors. Sao Paulo airport seemed to be complete, but you could tell that the Natal airport was still yet to be finished. Infrastructure has been a race to the finish line for much of Brazil. The country has spent billions in preparation for the World Cup and despite the tournament beginning a few days ago, there is still some construction in progress.
Â
Fro
m what I've seen so far (which isn't much), Natal is a beautiful city and located on the Atlantic coast of Brazil roughly 1,500 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. The city typically has warm and humid weather although it has been pouring rain here the past week and it is expected to rain through the USA v. Ghana game. The people have been very friendly so far and you can sense the World Cup buzz everywhere you go. Even though I barely speak any Portuguese, it's always easy to tell when someone is having a conversation about the World Cup talking about the latest game or score. Fans are all over the streets and fill the hotel lobby and many are wearing USA jerseys ahead of tomorrow's match.
Â
Since we arrived late last night, I haven't had much of a chance to take pictures but stay tuned for more stories and pictures to come after tomorrow's USA v. Ghana match. GO USA!!!
Â
In the mean time, check out the mini-clip U.S. Soccer recently published about the USMNT's arrival in Natal here.
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Sunday
June 29, 2014
Â
Many fans here in Brazil booked their flights home for today. The group stage is officially over and for sixteen countries it is the end of the road. Some of the big soccer nations including England, Italy, Spain and Portugal, among others, are now on summer vacation or headed back to their club teams. For Team USA, the "group of death" that included Ghana, Portugal and Germany was supposed to be too difficult for the Americans to advance. However, after advancing out of the group in second place, I am thankful that I will not be on a flight to Los Angeles, but instead looking forward to Salvador where USA will play Belgium in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Â
This past Thursday was spent in Recife for the match vs. Germany. Similar to Natal (where USA vs. Ghana was played), the city of Recife is located right on the Atlantic coast and it was raining when we arrived. However, in Natal the rain stopped. In Recife, it rained all through the night and into the morning. We were in Recife for 36 hours, all of which were spent at the hotel; we never made it to the game.
Â
Early Thursday morning around 7am we waited for the bus that was supposed to take us to the stadium (about an hour away) hoping to avoid traffic for the 1 p.m. kickoff. The rain continued to pour so heavily that the streets and even some of the hotel started to flood and the roads became impassable. About two hours before kickoff we were notified that the buses would not make it and we would have to watch the game in the hotel lobby.
Â
When the rain finally eased up Thursday night we made it to the airport to fly back to Sao Paulo. We met up with some of the other USA fans in the airport and everyone exchanged stories of their unexpected experiences. One group was happy to say that their bus made it to their hotel to pick them up for the game. That was until they told us that they sat on the bus for almost five hours trying to make their way to the stadium but ended up missing the game completely. They said they watched the game through score updates on their phone until the bus' Wi-Fi went out half way through the game. This made our situation watching the game in the hotel lobby not seem so bad anymore. Another group was lucky enough to make it to the game, but had to walk through flooded streets waist to chest deep holding their purses and backpacks above their head. Despite the circumstances, everyone was still excited because Team USA had advanced! Â
After a crazy 36 hours in Recife we are back in Sao Paulo once again (which is starting to feel like home) and happy to be heading to Salvador Monday night ahead of Tuesday's match vs. Belgium. GO USA!!!
Â
Thursday
June 26, 2014
Â
With a quick turnaround and just three days between games, it has been a busy week for both Team USA and fans here in Brazil. We've traveled nearly 7,500 miles within the past ten days flying to and from USA games and the team's home base in Sao Paulo. This past week, the travel schedule has included a four-hour flight to and from Manaus for the USA vs. Portugal game. After returning back to Sao Paulo, we had roughly a day and a half before flying to Recife Wednesday morning ahead of today's match vs. Germany. Despite USA being dealt the most challenging travel schedule of any team in the tournament, the team currently sits tied for first place in the group with four points after two games.
Â
This past weekend was spent in Manaus for the USA vs. Portugal game on Sunday. Manaus was definitely the most anticipated place of the trip because of its location in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Health was a major concern with mosquitos, heat/dehydration and food all a potential risk during the two days that we were there. The bugs in the air were huge with some getting to be the size of a baseball swarming throughout the city and even in the stadium. The tunnels of the stadium were covered with moths and other bugs but thankfully weren't much of a disruption in our actual seats. The stadium itself was amazing even though the construction barely finished in time for the World Cup. Much of the surrounding area, however, did not finish in time; one thing that was missing was a parking lot. Thankfully we were dropped off by bus, but others had to walk a long distance from their car parked in nearby neighborhoods to the stadium.
Â
For the match vs. Portugal itself, there is no other way to describe the experience than absolutely crazy. In the match last week vs. Ghana, the Brazilian locals in the stadium were relatively neutral in terms of what team they cheered for. However, in the match vs. Portugal, the Brazilian locals (who generally populate about half of the stadium) heavily favored cheering for the Portuguese team. Anytime a USA chant would begin during the first half, and especially after the early goal by Nani, deafening chants for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo would immediately silence it. Although it felt like a home game for Portugal, Team USA put together a memorable comeback in the second half before giving up a game-tying goal on the last play of the game. A win would not only have meant a historic upset vs. Portugal in the "group of death," but it would have also guaranteed Team USA a spot in the round of 16. Everyone was in such shock from the goal that not even the Portuguese or Brazilian fans really celebrated the goal.
Â
The next morning we flew back to Sao Paulo base camp where we spent the next day and a half. We took the opportunity to walk more of the city and experience the Estadio Municipal and Museo de Futbol. Estadio Municipal is the former home to Corinthians FC who will now play at the new stadium in Sao Paulo that was built for the World Cup. The Museo de Futbol has been integrated into the stadium and shows much of the history of soccer in Brazil. The most interesting part for me was the goal post section for each World Cup explaining "por que ganhamos?" (why we won) or "por que perdemos" (why we lost). The country of Brazil expects to win every World Cup and for the five they have won so far, they give much of the credit to a "genius" that led the team. In the past it has been Pele, Ronaldo, etc. This year they believe Neymar is the one who will be able to win them a sixth World Cup. For the years they didn't win, the reasons (or excuses) were actually pretty funny and clever.Â
Team USA will now play Germany (ranked No. 2 in the world) today in the third and final group match here in Recife controlling its own destiny – a win or tie and Team USA is through to the round of 16. If I've learned anything during this World Cup so far, it's that rankings mean absolutely nothing. Having been just seconds away from beating the No. 4 ranked team in the world, Portugal, and other top teams, including top-ranked Spain, being eliminated early in the group stage, anything can happen. Prior to the World Cup, many doubted Team USA's ability to even get a point out of this group; and now they have four points after two games. Hopefully we can grab another point, if not three, today vs. Germany. GO USA!!!!
Friday
June 20, 2014
Â
It's been three days since the USA v. Ghana match and I'm still speechless (literally). I lost my voice during the game and I have barely been able to talk since. I guess that's a good thing though as I lost my voice from all the screaming and celebrating after the two USA goals. I'm not one to really celebrate when I'm watching a game but after Clint Dempsey and John Brooks' goals I was screaming, celebrating and running up and down the aisle in the stadium hugging and cheering with fans. The atmosphere was electric and it was one of those nights you wish would never end; if you watched the game then you probably have an idea of what I'm talking about.
Â
Natal was a great city and the people were very receptive to Americans. One Brazilian kid who I had made friends with during the game asked me afterwards if I would trade jerseys with him like the players do as a way to remember the game. I declined, but offered to take a picture with him instead (picture to the right).
Â
In Natal there was also a turf soccer cage near the hotel where I got to play with both visitors who were staying at the hotel and local Brazilian kids. One Brazilian kid was maybe 11 or 12 years old but had some of the best ball control I've ever seen for someone his age and he easily kept up with some of the older guys. Once or twice, in his broken English, he would even get mad at some of the guys for trying to shoot too much and not controlling the ball and passing it around first.
Â
Following the USA v. Ghana game in Natal, my family and I flew to Sao Paulo where we've spent the past few days. Sao Paulo is a huge city with a lot to do; that is unless Brazil is playing. The first day we arrived in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian team was playing Mexico. With more than 11 million people in the city, the whole city seemed to be shut down except for places where there was a TV. Almost everyone was wearing the bright yellow Brazilian jersey or had the flag waving from their car.Â
The people live and breathe their country's team, but the people of Sao Paulo also have great passion for their local club as well. Yesterday was a memorable experience getting to visit Sao Paulo FC's training grounds, which is also where Team USA trains and uses as a base camp during the World Cup. Sao Paulo FC is a legendary club in Brazil and is one of the most well-known and successful teams in South America. My cousin and I got to kick around in the free kick arena located next to the training fields where Rogerio Ceni spends much of his time. For those who aren't familiar, Ceni is a legend in Sao Paulo scoring more than 100 goals as a goalkeeper during his career. He is a free kick and penalty kick specialist and runs up the field to take free kicks during games for the team (many of which he scores). According to Sao Paulo FC staff, he spends hours and hours in the free kick arena kicking against the wall perfecting his shot.
Â
Tomorrow my family and I will fly to Manaus ahead of the USA v. Portugal game on Sunday. Many of the stadiums for the World Cup are located on or near the Atlantic coast but Manaus is much further west and lies in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Weather conditions for the game are expected to be the most difficult a team will face in the tournament and there are many small things we must pay attention to. Mosquitos are a big concern along with food choices, as anything that is not cooked including fruits and vegetables are risky and advised against. Besides that, there is a great buzz among USA fans here in Brazil, and from what I've seen on social media, there is quite a buzz back in the United States as well following the exciting victory over Ghana. Hopefully we will experience another exciting match v. Portugal this weekend. GO USA!!!
Sunday
June 15, 2014
Â
I have just arrived in Natal, Brazil ahead of Team USA's opening match against Ghana on Monday and finally have a moment to relax. I left Los Angeles International Airport Friday afternoon and arrived here in Natal late last night making it more than 24 hours of travel which included a 5 hour layover in Sao Paulo. The airports here were filled with fans from all over the world and it seems like almost everyone was wearing their country's jersey or colors. Sao Paulo airport seemed to be complete, but you could tell that the Natal airport was still yet to be finished. Infrastructure has been a race to the finish line for much of Brazil. The country has spent billions in preparation for the World Cup and despite the tournament beginning a few days ago, there is still some construction in progress.
Â
Fro
m what I've seen so far (which isn't much), Natal is a beautiful city and located on the Atlantic coast of Brazil roughly 1,500 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. The city typically has warm and humid weather although it has been pouring rain here the past week and it is expected to rain through the USA v. Ghana game. The people have been very friendly so far and you can sense the World Cup buzz everywhere you go. Even though I barely speak any Portuguese, it's always easy to tell when someone is having a conversation about the World Cup talking about the latest game or score. Fans are all over the streets and fill the hotel lobby and many are wearing USA jerseys ahead of tomorrow's match.Â
Since we arrived late last night, I haven't had much of a chance to take pictures but stay tuned for more stories and pictures to come after tomorrow's USA v. Ghana match. GO USA!!!
Â
In the mean time, check out the mini-clip U.S. Soccer recently published about the USMNT's arrival in Natal here.
Â
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