SJM_WorldCupDepartment_0526_Dept 5 / 19 / 26 3 : 03 PM Page 1 L I F E S T Y L E S Just for Kicks WITH PHILADELPHIA SERVING AS ONE OF THE HOST CITIES FOR THE UPCOMING FIFA WORLD CUP , L OCAL SOCCER FANS ARE GEARING UP FOR WHAT COULD BE A ONCE - IN - A - LIFETIME EVENT . By Matt Cosentino he first time George Rhea attended the FIFA World Cup , back in 1986 , his rollicking adventure included a five - hour flight , a two - week stay Tin Mexico and several long bus trips between Mexico City and Guadalajara to see multiple matches from the stands in both cities . It was well worth it , too , because he had the time of his life with his closest friends and got to witness what is considered to be one of the greatest championship games of all time : Argentina’s 3 - 2 win over West Germany . Forty years later , the experience will Ryan Franks are not only major soccer becomewildly popular for kids in the past be a heck of a lot easier for Rhea — and fans but also highly successful high threedecades , and even the younger gen - hopefully just as memorable . school coaches — Matozzo for the girls eration is hyped for the World Cup . Emma This summer , the United States will team at Clearview and Franks for the boys Davidson , 13 , of Williamstown plays for welcome the most popular sporting event team at Shawnee . They’ve seen a growing oneof the premier clubs in the region , the on the planet for just the second time ever interest in the World Cup from their South Jersey Elite Barons , and traveled as it co - hosts the World Cup along with players as well as other students in class . with her team to England two years ago Canada and Mexico . Philadelphia is one “ I think all the soccer fans in the world and to Spain earlier this year . Now she is of 11 locations in the U.S . where games are ready , ” Matozzo says . “ In South Jersey , looking forward to having squads from will take place , with four matches in the everyone is talking about it : The kids in other countries competing right in her Group Stage being played at Lincoln school are talking about it , and every - backyard . Financial Field : Ivory Coast vs . Ecuador where you go for soccer , everyone is “ I think it’s really cool that countries on June 14 ; Brazil vs . Haiti on June 19 ; asking , ‘ How do you think the U.S . is from all around the world are coming to France vs . Iraq on June 22 ; and Croatia vs . going to do ? ’ The hype is there and we’re play in the World Cup right here in Ghana on June 27 . just hoping the team does well . ” Philadelphia , ” she says . “ When we visited A Round of 16 game will also be held “ A lot of the kids have said they’ll be Spain , in the airport there was tons of at The Linc on July 4 to coincide with the more into the World Cup than they nor - World Cup merchandise . My team is nation’s 250th birthday , and the final is mally would be because it’s here in the really excited that the World Cup is so scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium U.S.and it’s nearby , ” Franks adds . “ I think close to home and we hope we get a in North Jersey . those of us who are soccer guys are really chanceto see it . ” Needless to say , soccer fans across excited . The last time it was here in ’ 94 , I Of course , getting tickets , even with South Jersey — and even locals who don’t was 10 , and I really feel like it marked a several games being played right across follow the sport so closely — are looking cultural shift in soccer back then . … I def - the bridge or up the turnpike at MetLife , forward to a truly unique occasion . initelyfeel like with the World Cup and the isn’t so easy . FIFA held a random draw “ There’s so much excitement , ” says advent of MLS shortly after in ’ 96 , soccer leadingup to the tournament to give fans Jamie McGroarty , the longtime girls took off and went from an afterthought to the opportunity to purchase tickets , but soccer coach at Eastern Regional High oneof the leading youth sports in the U.S . not many had luck with the lottery School . “ You can go to MLS games or an today.I’m hopeful that for a lot of the kids system . occasional friendly , but to see a World in my class and my buddies who are Fortunately for Rhea , his daughters Cup game in person is a once - in - a - life - casualfans , this helps them catch the bug Veronica and Jocelyn were able to get time thing , and not many people get to go a little bit and makes them more inter - through and surprised him with tickets to other countries to watch it . To have it ested in the game of soccer year round , for Christmas . Rhea , who retired a few on your home soil [ is special ] . ” not just when the World Cup is going on . ” years ago after 36 seasons as the boys Like McGroarty , Dan Matozzo and As Franks points out , soccer has soccer coach at Penns Grove , also SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 23 issue 2 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 24 |