"It's like a holiday in Brazil when the soccer team plays," said Colegio head coach Marco Antonio Pereira. So the youth soccer team at the Continental Cup might be a little distracted.
View full sizeThe boys from Brazil, the Colegio Santo Americo, march into Don Shula Stadium at John Carroll University with other teams participating in the Continental Cup on Thurs. July 1, 2010. The 12 year old boys play soccer in the international youth tournament.UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- There's 56 international youth soccer teams competing at the AC Milan Continental Cup Soccer Tournament today through Sunday but only one team -- Brazil -- still has a personal interest in the World Cup.
Not good news for Rodrigo Carvalho and Luiz Eduardo, since both will have their personal streaks broken when Brazil plays Netherlands at 10 a.m. today in a World Cup soccer game.
That's because Carvalho and Eduardo and their 12U teammates will be playing Columbia at about the same time in a Continental Cup soccer game at Willoughby's Lost Nation Sports Park.
"This will be the first time we won't be able to watch Brazil play in a World Cup game this year," said Carvalho, who, like his cousin, is 12 years old and a defensemen for Colegio Santo Americo.
No big deal to the average American, but it's huge to a Brazilian.
"It's like a holiday in Brazil when the soccer team plays," said Colegio head coach Marco Antonio Pereira, through interpreter/team host Roberta Barbur.
"Stores, factories, businesses, schools, everything closes because everyone is somewhere watching the game," he said.
Seems like the perfect time to pull a robbery.
Not.
"Ten guys dug a tunnel between a house and the bank when Brazil played last Friday," said Pereira. "Their intention was to rob the bank as soon as the game started.
"Fortunately, law enforcement found out and caught the guys right before game time."
The Carvalho family has watched every World Cup game at Eduardo's house.
"There's tons of food, beverages and a lot people over the house," said Eduardo. "Fireworks go off all over the place whenever Brazil scores a goal.
"It's one big party."
This is one party Colegio Santo's 16-player, two-coach, one-chaperone contingent will miss the game because accommodations were not made in order to watch the ESPN-televised game either live or tape-delayed.
They're hoping their Continental Cup game will be finished in time to catch the second half.
"I will be focused on my game, but in my heart, I will be hoping Brazil wins in the World Cup," said Eduardo.
Updates during halftime of their game are planned, but nothing's certain. Two players have cell phones, making it a sure thing they'll be the most popular individuals on the team.
"Texting is not a big thing in our country, but they'll probably try to call their parents to get the score," said Pereira. "Those players have been informed their cell phones are to be turned off and in their bags once the game starts."
Pereira isn't worried the players might try to hide the phones, because their game uniforms don't have pockets.
"We trust they will do the right thing," Pereira said.