But why?

For billions of people around the world, the World Cup is like the Olympics – only bigger.

Like the Olympics, athletes are sent to represent their country.  They carry the hopes of the entire nation, only there is no other sport – no bobsled or relay race – to salvage pride lost in defeat. There is just one sport, the world’s sport, that can give bragging rights to countries and send enemies into the streets under the same flag, wearing the same pride.

The World Cup is full of passion.  The simple love for the sport is combined with national pride (and occasional hate), leaving a densely layered pitch of emotions on a stage larger than any other.

Countries that have spent significant parts of their history at war find themselves matched on that pitch, a rivalry that was measured in blood a generation ago now measured in goals.  The intensity of such clashes is often indescribable. Brazil and Argentina, having won one-third of all World Cups, clash in a war of cultures, ancestry, and athleticism. England and Argentina are still not too far removed from the Falkland War of 1982. England and Germany are among many players from the theater of World War II who meet on the pitch with a extra bit of unspoken nationalism at stake. 

The World soccer federation (FIFA) decided to organize the first World Cup tournament in 1930 in Uruguay to commemorate its 100th year of independence. The World Cup has since been played 17 times in 80 years and only 7 countries have won the Cup.

And it is only after a grueling stage of continental tournaments that a team can become eligible to even compete in the World Cup.  By the time the field has been narrowed to the final 32 who take the pitch in the host country ever four years, literally thousands of matches have been played to whittle the field.

Then, and only then, does the nation have a right to fight through a group stage where a top 2 (of 4) finish is required to move on to a single elimination (or knock-out) stage of the tournament, where a team must win 4 matches in a row to become World Champions.

And, once every four years, a team does exactly that.  They endure the trials and tribulations and march into history as World Champions.  Their flag is hoisted all across their home country as their greatest hopes have been realized – they have been unified in glory, World Cup Champions.

Contributed by Daniel Rodriguez & Kyle Burkholder

Alamo Drafthouse: USA vs England World Cup Watch Party - Co-hosted by the Crocketteers

Join us on June 12, 2010 (1:00 PM) at Park North Alamo Drafthouse to watch the USA vs England World Cup Match in glorious High-Definition on the big screen. Stadium seating plus food, beer, wine. Admission is free with ticket. We will be selling Travis 250 memberships, scarves, signing up basic members, and cheering for our country. Travis 250 members receive free popcorn.

Eight Crocketteers and hundreds of Crocketteer sympathizers came down to the hallowed grounds of the Alamo yesterday to pay their respects for the men and women who, as the cenotaph in front of the Alamo puts it, “sacrificed their lives in the defense of Texas” The events started with a cannon shot to symbolize Colonel’s Travis response to Santa Anna’s charge to surrender. From there we stood in front of the plaque and the famous “line in the sand” where Travis asked the defenders to stay and fight. We watched as the re-enactment soldiers marched in front of the Alamo with the bagpipes a blaring, the flags a waving and their guns held high. We stood and posed for pictures with many of the soldiers with our Crocketteer banner so proudly displayed. “Davey Crockett” joined us on one picture as did a direct descendant of the real Crockett for another. We ended the day with the Crocketteers standing and taking a group photo in front of the Alamo Cenotaph. Towering 60 feet high, the Cenotaph marks the spot where the slain defenders of the fortified mission were piled after the battle. Seen on the sides of the Cenotaph are carvings of the Alamo defenders, including depictions of William B. Travis, Jim Bowie, David Crockett and James B. Bonham. The monument also bears the names of men who died at the Alamo.

In addition, the following inscription can be found on the revered memorial:

Erected in Memory of the Heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836 in the defense of Texas, “They chose never to surrender nor retreat, these brave hearts with flag still proudly waving perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding on this Texas.”

Today was a good day to be a Crocketteer! Remember the Alamo.

More Pictures:

Its time for our monthly meeting again! We will be meeting at the Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub on Sunday February 21, at 7:00 PM.  We will be using the Dungeon room again, and will be discussing a variety of things. Please bring friends who are interested in becoming part of the Supporters Group.

It would be appreciated if you would RSVP to the event with Facebook by clicking here.

Lion and Rose British Restaurant & Pub

842 NW Loop 410 (Park North Shopping Center),
San Antonio, TX 78216
Maps & Directions from MapQuest

Its time for our monthly meeting again!  We will be meeting at the Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub on Sunday November 22, at 6:00 PM.  As some of you already know the MLS Championship game is scheduled for that same evening, so following the meeting we will be watching the game.  We will be using the Dungeon room again, and will be passing out Crocketteers Business cards during the game.

It would be appreciated if you would RSVP to the event with Facebook by clicking here.

Lion and Rose British Restaurant & Pub

842 NW Loop 410 (Park North Shopping Center),
San Antonio, TX  78216
Maps & Directions from MapQuest

TUESDAY UPDATE: The Lion and Rose British Restaurant & Pub, a local chain which carries various sports broadcasts from Western Europe, will show the U.S. vs. Honduras World Cup qualifier (English-language broadcast) at its Broadway/Alamo Heights location (5148 Broadway, S.A. TX 78209). Kickoff is at 9 p.m.

For anyone who wants to make a day of it… as part of its normal European-dominated slate of qualifiers, the Lion and Rose will also have the following matches available:
Germany at Russia, 10 a.m. (Setanta)
New Zealand at Bahrain, 10:30 a.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)
Armenia at Spain, 11 a.m. (Fox Sports en Español)
Sweden at Denmark, 1 p.m. (Fox Sports en Español)
Faeroe Islands at France, 2 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)
Hungary at Portugal, 2:40 p.m. (Setanta)
Latvia at Greece, 4:45 p.m. (Setanta – tape delay)
El Salvador at Mexico, 5 p.m. (Telemundo)
Turkey at Belgium, 6:30 p.m. (Setanta – tape delay)

Below is an updated version of the original posting.

Let’s discuss the future of pro soccer in San Antonio, any ideas, and how to grow our group/brand.

We will have a special guest speaker, Ed Sakiewicz.

Ed will discuss MLS in San Antonio and the upcoming Texas Pro Soccer Festival. The festival will bring 4 MLS teams to the Alamo City and Ed will call on the Crocketteers to be a big part of making the festival a success. Who knows? Maybe us Crocketteers will get to meet the likes of Stuart Holden and Brian Ching of the US National Team. To learn more about the festival, please visit the official site at http://www.texasprosoccerfest.com/. Ed has strong MLS relationships including Commissioner Garber and his brother Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner of the Philadelphia Union. Please take a minute to read Ed’s Bio.

RSVP for this event on facebook or commenting on this post.