An experience that began with strangers from eight cities across the United States traveling to Cardiff to participate in the Homeless World Cup ended with lasting friendships, new perspectives, and even a trophy lift! Street Soccer USA, the exclusive American partner of the Homeless World Cup, sent a men’s and women’s team to join more than 500 participants from more than 50 countries for the event from July 27-August 3.
The tournament was a great success. After group play, the coachable and talented women’s team advanced into the Celtic Cup division, the lower half of the 16-team tournament, and beat Norway 6-0 to finish 9th and win the Celtic Cup! The men’s team, full of skillful and extremely competitive players, finished 3rd in the group stage placing them in the top-half of the tournament for the next round. The men played in multiple nail-biting matches against formidable opponents, losing twice by one goal and with three matches decided by penalties. They finished 22nd overall, in the top-half of the 48-team field, for one of their best results ever.
The tournament, however, is about much more than results on the pitch. It unites people with a shared passion for soccer and similar life experiences and celebrates a mix of cultures and countries that manifests itself in unmatched sportsmanship and camaraderie.
The camaraderie started within the U.S. team. The players and coaches didn’t know each other when they arrived because they came from Street Soccer USA programs across the country. The first few days in Cardiff were focused on team bonding including a trip to a local swimming hole, pick-up games and park visits. Together the group set the tone for being playful, fun, and passionate about soccer. “This group, better than most groups, bonded extremely quickly and became a family in a day and a half,” Men’s Coach Reed Fox said.
The Opening Ceremony kicked off the tournament formally, and it was a wonderful celebration of cultural diversity. Teams were singing, dancing and chanting, and the U.S. players recognized their own connections to people from other countries. “My favorite moment would probably be when I’m chanting with the Mexico team because I feel like that resonates very well with my culture, and it feels like I’m not only cheering for my team, for USA, but it’s cool how we can all cheer for each other,” Morelia, one of the players, said.
Opportunities to explore differences and similarities with players from around the world arose during structured team bonding trips, like one sponsored by FC Give to a local carnival with the teams from England and Zimbabwe. Organic moments of connection were also a frequent occurrence at the Homeless World Cup, like dancing and singing in the Players’ Tent during a rain delay as well as a kickball game in the gym that included players from at least 15 different countries, many of whom don’t speak English, trying to learn the rules of a game they’d never seen or played. Many of the SSUSA players commented that their favorite part of the tournament was meeting all the different people from different cultures and countries.
Teams warming up with opponents and cheering together after matches is a regular occurrence at the Homeless World Cup, and a good reminder that despite language, culture and background, people are able to unite over shared experiences and passions. Many of the players for Street Soccer USA are marginalized in the U.S., but they proudly represented their country while simultaneously exploring their ties to others. Lisa Wrightsman, Street Soccer USA Program Manager in Sacramento and coach of the women’s team at the Homeless World Cup commented that she was most proud of how well the teams represented the United States. So much so that when the women’s team lifted the Celtic Cup after earning 9th place, the entire audience, including opponents and fans, started chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” demonstrating the power of sport to bring people together. We’re already looking forward to the tournament in Tampere, Finland next year!
