As I recall, over thirteen years ago I first set foot in the highest place, not knowing exactly what captivated me and the rest of devoted aficionados.
As we try to make sense of it all, some will argue that it was the energy of the place – and the power – others will argue that it was the friendship as we would make our way through the wee hours of the morning; some would even come to say that it was the convenience of transportation having the TTC Subway, but undoubtedly, we all come to agree that what got us, and kept us together, coming back summer after summer is the love and respect for the universal language, the binding spirit, the common denominator: Football!
From my point of view it has been over thirteen years in the making. We have seen babies come to life and grow into adults as they pass and tackle the next generation – people like José’s son, Daniel, P. Ditty, Julio’s son, José, and many others. We have seen families grow; we have seen people come and go from different cultures with very different personalities and characters, this at times making it very difficult to harness and organize, so we could step into another level.
Thirsty and craving for guidance, many ask the highest power for a guide, someone that could lead us. All of us are aware that it is a hard task “to wear the pants” and serve as our leader and guide.
Already noted, no one had the courage and ability before, until someone said “I will build it and they will come”. Well, some of us were already here, supporting and constructively criticizing, making sure that we don’t forget that it takes a tremendous amount of energy and effort, not only physically and mentally but also financially.
A man has taken the responsibility of progress upon his shoulders; he has always been impartial in situations where impartiality was urgently needed. He is the island in the middle of our ocean; he is the link. Some of us call him “The Matrix II”. I hope some day he will give me the chance to interview him and give me permission to post his interview so we all get acquainted with this character from whom we are going to be learning so much in the near future. He is the organizer of the once-said impossible task of giving genesis not only to a well-organized team but also to a Hispanic soccer league.
That man is Alfonso.
Alfonso has already built a few teams and brought together many others – eight teams in total, I believe. These include teams from all corners of the globe: From the far Africa – Senegal and Cameroon – to the distant Asia – Iraq – and to the renowned continent of Europe – Portugal – back to our American hemisphere with the presence of Club Guadalajara of Mexico, and Club “El Diablo” from El Salvador.
Our team membership is so diverse to include members from Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua, Korea, Senegal, Russia, The Ukraine, the Caribbean islands, Great Britain, Morocco, French Canada, Ethiopia, and elsewhere.
Let the above serve as an example of how hard coordinating these events must be, but it’s nothing to an industrious man with exceptional leading ability and forever patient like Alfonso.
Progress, now a word of the past, is measured by the excitement that all this has brought to our lives; the week-end gives us butterflies in the stomach, makes your heart pound a bit more forcefully because you know you can represent your team’s pride, hoping to bring that trophy and with it glory to the colors of your shirt.
Alfonso has given us the present that encourages the human condition to excel.
Tyrone "Nica"
Barcelona's Mid-fielder
