For weeks, immigrant soccer fans in New York City have been plotting where to watch their home country's World Cup games — and honing excuses should those games conflict with work or personal obligations.
Andre Hudson is a Brooklyn College student from Jamaica, he roots for England, and has already lined up fictional scenarios in case his team plays when he's supposed to be someplace other than in front of a TV: "I'm probably going to go with something like, 'Uh, my dog is sick.' Or my favorite one, 'My sister has an emergency and I'm the only one that can go there and rescue her.'"
Smiling, he added, "I have a lot of them."
Hudson spoke after playing in a pick-up soccer game in Prospect Park on Sunday — an event that has endured for at least 30 years. Besides Hudson, we talked to a dozen players from seven different countries about their World Cup-watching strategies. Among them, a doctor from Germany who is an expert on never missing a game.
Andreas Cohrssen, a doctor, pulls for Germany. (Jim O'Grady/WNYC)
Prospect Park's pick-up soccer game, which has endured for decades, is as multi-national as the World Cup. (Jim O'Grady/WNYC)
WNYC wants to know who you're rooting for and how you're showing your team spirit. Share your selfies with us on Twitter or Instagram: wearing your jersey, waving your national flag, donning face paint or any other show of support! Tag your photos with #WorldCupSelfie and @WNYC.
Vamos Ticos!!! @WNYC#Worldcupselfiepic.twitter.com/o7wJmZ0sh5
— Cecilia Vargas (@VargasSkoultchi) June 13, 2014
supporting the #USMNT and the referees! NJ's Mark Geiger first US WC ref since 2002 #WorldCupSelfie@WNYCpic.twitter.com/nAt0zTwXPc
— Brian (@FinallySock) June 12, 2014
