Copa Américan 2024
Last month, Copa América drew record-breaking numbers for Univision and Fox garnering the attention of millions. Colombia’s national team secured the Copa América title once in 2001. Twenty-three years later, Colombia battled Argentina’s impressive record with 15 Copa América victories, most recently achieving a top-three finish in 2019. It’s no surprise this year’s tournament had every viewer at the edge of their seat.
Soccer is intricately intertwined with culture, heritage, and language, serving as a profound symbol of identity for communities in and outside of their home country. Beyond being a game, soccer embodies the traditions, values, and collective memories of communities worldwide. For immigrants, especially those in the diaspora, soccer represents a tangible link to their homeland—a way to preserve and celebrate their cultural roots amidst the challenges of adaptation in a new country. Whether cheering for their national teams in tournaments like Copa América or gathering with fellow expatriates to watch matches, soccer fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie. It transcends linguistic barriers, providing a universal language that facilitates connections and bridges cultural differences. Through soccer, immigrants find solace in familiar rituals, rekindle nostalgia for hometowns left behind, and forge new bonds that strengthen their sense of cultural continuity and pride.
At McEntee Law Group, we take pride in our immigrant-founded roots and deeply understand the importance of cultural experiences within communities, as well as the invaluable contributions immigrants bring to new lands. In this spirit, we’ve invited two of our staff members to share their personal experiences of watching Copa América with their families: Megan Delaney, our Operations & Analytics Manager, who was born in Argentina , and Melissa Hernández, our Digital Marketing & Accounts Coordinator, with Colombian roots.
Megan’s Experienece
There’s a reason why soccer is commonly referred to as “the beautiful game.” For so many countries and people around the world, soccer is more than just a sport; it’s a unifying source of pride, of passion, of love, that brings the people of a nation together, regardless of where they are in the world or what differences they may have. As an Argentinian immigrant living in the U.S., I rarely feel more connected to Argentina than when I am watching La Albiceleste play on the world stage. In these moments, I know that every emotion, frustration, or sense of joy that I feel is also being felt by every other Argentinian around the world. There’s a sense that we’re all watching the game together, as if we were all in the same room, holding our breath, yelling at the TV, or jumping out of our seats in unison. This, I know, is also true for so many nations across the globe. For at least 90 minutes, soccer is a way for people to tune out any sort of strife or difficulties going on around them and instead place all their faith and hope in their country’s 11 players representing them on the pitch.
I’ve been watching Argentina play in every single FIFA World Cup for as long as I can remember. Before every game, I had a tradition (or superstition) where I would have my mom braid my hair into two French braids before I put on my Argentina jersey to watch the kickoff. I refused to watch any Argentina game without wearing my jersey in my French braids. I innately believed that if I were to watch any Argentina game without either thing, they would automatically lose. Decades later, in 2021, my stubborn tradition would finally pay off. After years (and many hand cramps from French braiding my hair), Argentina would win our first major trophy in a long time, the 2021 Copa America. The overwhelming joy that I felt in that moment trumped any moment of disappointment, frustration, or sadness that I had had in the past. My heart swelled with pride, and it was truthfully one of the happiest moments I’d had in my life at that point. Little did I know that an even happier moment was to come.
I will never forget the day and the emotions that I felt on December 18, 2022, when something I at times doubted would ever experience happened; Argentina were crowned the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions! After 3 excruciatingly stressful hours of watching the game either standing up cheering or on the absolute edge of my seat, I finally took my first full breath since kickoff and leaned back into my couch with tears of unadulterated joy in my eyes. Saying it was a dream come true is an understatement; it was, and forever will be, one of the happiest days of my whole life. While I had dreamed of this moment since I was a child, it always seemed so far out of reach. The years of heartbreak that I shared with every single Argentinian fan around the world were instantly forgotten in that moment. It’s difficult to put into words just how much this meant to me and to Argentina but I’ll say that I’ve rewatched that 2022 World Cup final 3 more times since that day and still get full-body chills every single time. Even just thinking about it right now gives me goosebumps.
That’s why, coming into this 2024 Copa America, I had a renewed sense of excitement and faith in my team. Coming in as returning Copa America champs with a FIFA World Cup win in between, I believed more than ever that this was the team that could break records and go down in history as one of the greatest squads to ever play the game, though I knew it wouldn’t come without challenges and stress. We had a formidable opponent in Colombia and while there were many moments where I was watching with bated breath, I never floundered in the belief I had in my team. I knew that it would be one of our stars, Ángel DiMaria’s, last game with Argentina after an illustrious and decorated career that I had been watching since I was young, and I wanted nothing more than to see him and Messi lift a championship trophy together for the last time. And after 120 minutes of a great game, there they were, cherishing this moment as the 2024 Copa America champions and giving us Argentinians yet another reason to be proud of and love our country.
The love that I have for Argentina, for this team, and for the beautiful game is unconditional. You can see the passion that Argentinians have for soccer in the images of Buenos Aires during any match. If there’s a game going on, the streets of the city are completely deserted because everyone is inside with their eyes glued to the TV. If we score, you can hear cheers from every balcony and honks from taxi drivers listening to the game on their radios. After a win, the streets go from quiet and empty to cacophonous and overflowing in blue and white, the faces of our idols, Messi and Maradona, being showcased everywhere you look. This level of passion and devotion to soccer is shared by so many countries everywhere in the world, and it is my hope that it continues to grow as a beautifully unifying force among people that spreads joy and hope to so many.
Meli’s Experience: Copa Medio Llena
Early Sunday morning, I am drawn out of my dreams by my iPhone softly buzzing. I answer.“¡Buenos días! Meliiiii, hoy ganamos la Copa.” Despite my grogginess, I immediately recognize my dad’s voice and his excitement. It’s the first thing on his mind that morning. I’m certain he’s probably dreamt of this day for years, faithfully watching every tournament every four years. Like many dads, he was an avid soccer player in his youth, and still argues that his skills and stature are what caught my mom’s eye during recreo in 1969. At the time, an armed conflict was brewing in the underbelly of the country between the government, guerilla groups, and paramilitaries. In the 90’s, the conflict worsened leading to a crisis of displacement (6.9 million) and “disappearances” (121,768 people). This tension for territory changed the psyche of the country and its people. As a university student, my dad witnessed the first-hand effects of the political atmosphere – classmates and friends mysteriously “disappearing” after participating in student protests en contra del establecimiento of the time.
Despite its history, my parents remember their homeland well. My mom and dad often talk about the conditions of 1994 within which they left, and how things have changed now. My mom stays connected with our loved ones, the news, and any estrenos that peak her interest. If anything, it’s because of Colombia’s history that my parents have instilled so much pride in me through values, language, food, music, and culture – a warmth and joy that woke me on a Sunday morning, buzzing.
Since the previous Wednesday the plan was set: “Su mamá quiere ver el partido en La Peña, ¿se apuntan o las apunto?” was the text message pdad sent soon after Colombia’s win against Uruguay. Meaning he really wanted all of us to go, and knew mentioning my mom particularly was interested in celebrating the Copa América final – something she otherwise wouldn’t have tuned in for. One by one, my sisters confirmed they were going, “I’m down!” popped into the thread – none of us having recollection of Colombia’s last top 3 finish back in 2001. We felt even prouder and more excited for the Colombian national team’s recent accomplishments, reaching the caliber of Argentina and competing head-to-head with one of the best footballers ever, Lionel Messi.
“Parce, estoy reuniendo a la familia con el fútbol,” my dad says to his friend as he sits down at the table made for six, but that he insists 8 of us can fit, “Aquí nos acomodamos.”. La Peña fills up with yellow jerseys bumping as they move around the restaurant looking for their fellow loved ones in yellow jerseys. Picadas and beers were ordered for the table while salsa played in the background in between game announcements. On the huge TV screen, the ball moves from player to player up and down the stretch of the field. Colombia maximizes passing opportunities, containing the shifting dynamics of the players, and maintains weighty defense all the way up to the 112th minute where Lautaro Martínez scores an incredible goal – chipping the ball over the goalie and straight through his hands. Despite the tough loss, our cup remains half full.
Bridging Sports and Immigration
In the spirit of celebrating sports and cultural heritage, McEntee Law Group plays a pivotal role in transforming lives by facilitating visa options for athletes, including international players aspiring to compete in prestigious tournaments like Copa América. Just as soccer unites communities and fosters pride, McEntee Law Group enables athletes from around the world to pursue their dreams in the United States, providing essential legal support to navigate the complexities of immigration law. Whether it’s assisting with athlete visas such as the O-1 visa for extraordinary ability or the P-1 visa for internationally recognized athletes, assisting with work permit applications, McEntee Law Group empowers individuals to participate fully in the global sports arena. If you want more information on Sports Visas, or have questions about your particular circumstance, reach out to us at info@mcenteelaw.com or call us (773)828-9544.
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