¡¡¡¡Arriba con la Selección!!!!

A few days ago it was my birthday, and to celebrate the day I suggested going to an upcoming soccer game at Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador – the biggest soccer stadium in Central America and home to ``la Selección´´, El Salvador´s national team. The game turned out to be so incredible that I decided that a blow by blow was in order.
The game was a World Cup qualifying match – underdog El Salvador playing against Panama, to whom they had lost 1-0 in Panama the week before. We knew that in order to advance to the next round, not only did El Sal have to win, but they had to win with a total number of points overall for both games. Clearly they had a minimal chance, but we weren’t going just for the soccer – it was all about the cultural experience. Everyone and their father were at the game. It was packed, with what seemed like a ratio of 20 guys to 1 girl! Latin American soccer games are crazy, as I have experienced before in Ecuador. El Sal was no different - everybody there was wearing blue or white (Salvadoran colors) and waving flags, signs, showing off painted faces, throwing paper and water balloons onto the field and at Panama fans. We quickly learned Salvadoran cheers as well as swear words and homophobic slurs to yell at the referees and Panama players. We had decided to pay for more expensive tickets to avoid seats in the really rowdy areas – everyone warned beforehand about drunken men throwing cups of urine and pulling peoples´ clothing off and a general reign of chaos. Along with me were my roommates, and a random group of friends – going in a big group was a great choice. We found ourselves a place high up and in the shade to watch the sideshow.
The beginning of the game was mediocre, neither side playing well and Panama scoring very early on. About 30 minutes into the game it started to rain, and by rain I mean it POURED. The water fell so hard that everyone started crowding upwards to the roofed areas (we stayed dry!) or huddled miserably in the non-roofed areas. Despite this, the game continued but things were looking very bad for El Salvador. When the rain finally lets up, the puddles make play difficult. By halftime, the crowd is looking depressed. In the second half El Salvador comes back with some offensive energy, but Panama holds onto the lead for the first 3/4 of total game time. Then, with about 20 minutes left to go El Salvador scores the equilizer on a free kick. The crowd goes wild. Absolutely wild. Everyone is singing and screaming and dancing and cheering and yelling and banging on drums. The speakers start blasting the most famous Salvadoran soccer song ``Arriba con la Selección´´ and everyone joins in. The game is getting increasingly more heated, with El Salvador keeping the ball on Panama's side of the field and repeatedly taking shots. Soon enough, a close bout erupts near the Panamanian goal that ends with players on the ground injured. The referee awards a red card to Panama and a penalty to El Sal. At this point the crowd's mind is collectively being blown. Our ears are ringing with the noise of everyone yelling ''SI SE PUEDE'' (yes, you can) over and over. No silence can be heard as the player shoots... and scores. Now everyone is just going ballistic - with confetti in the air, blue smoke rising in the distance and the Panama supporters getting bombarded with water balloons (adding insult to the injury of getting soaked in the rain). El Salvador, against all odds, is now ahead and the energy is pulsating all around us. Everyone is standing up and yelling with everything they have... and then... with only 5 minutes left to go, the crowd gasps at a long curving beautiful shot... El Salvador scores their third goal and advances to glory, clinching a placement in the next round. When the game ends moments later, it's like a group orgasm. By this time, my head is pounding and my voice is hoarse from screaming, Denis has taken his shirt off and is waving it in the air happily, Chloe is videotaping everyone, people are hugging left and right, and suddenly the speakers start playing ''we are the champions''. Watching a team turn a game around and win is definitely one of the most amazing things to see in any sports match. The moment is EPIC!

Click for more info on the game and its repercussions!