Soccer fans gear up for World Cup

Four years ago a soccer team made history for their country on one of the largest athletic stages in the world. The Spanish National Soccer team beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the final game of the 2012 World Cup, securing their place in history.

MBR — Brazil’s Ronaldo lines up a shoot against France in the 2006 World Cup. In addition to hosting the 2014 World Cup, Brazil is also the host for the 2016 summer Olympic Games. Over the next two years, Brazil is going to be overrun by tourists and spectators traveling to see these high levels of competition. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.

The score remained 0-0 the entire game until the last four minutes when Andrés Iniesta scored the winning goal and named the “Man of the Match.”

“I really think he deserved that award. Obviously it was because of him that Spain won the World Cup,” said Lucy Farr, 11.

As the largest sporting event in the world, the World Cup continues to draw audiences by the millions. After all, soccer is a universal sport played and celebrated in just about every country, first and third world alike.

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Now, four years after Iniesta’s winning goal, the tournament will soon begin again. The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil, officially starting on June 12 and lasting until July 13.

“I’m so excited for matches to start. I used to play soccer so watching it with my dad who used to coach me is a lot of fun. It’s also nice to have nothing to do on a summer day and just turn on the TV and watch this massive sporting event,” said Farr.

Preparing for an event that large and well attended means that preparations began shortly after the conclusion of the 2010 World Cup.

In 2011, the national teams of 31 countries advanced through qualifications rounds to determine which of those would continue to play in the World Cup three years away. Even artist Pitbull has recorded the official song for the tournament titled “We Are One.”

“I normally don’t like Pitbull’s songs, but this one is really good and it really gets you excited for the games to begin,” said Sarita Evans, 9.

As the countdown to the opening match begins, the teams are keeping in mind that in all previous World Cups held in South America, a South American team has won the tournament. Spain is definitely aware of this, entering as the defending champions.

About the Contributor

Taylor Evans, Staff Writer

My name is Taylor Evans and I am a senior this year. Four years later, I once again find myself on the amazing staff of The Leaf as an associate editor and cover story editor. I am so excited to return for my fourth and final year on The Leaf, and I can’t wait for what this year will bring. In my spare time my main hobby is to write, specifically fiction. Over the last six years, I’ve also been working on a young-adult fiction novel, "The Unknown," that has finally been published. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, and when I’m not reading I’m playing volleyball. And when all that isn’t enough, I turn to baking, which is a stress reliever- plus, who doesn’t like munching on cookies every once in a while?