Josh goes to an Ecuadorian Soccer Game

With our study trips finished, the last part of the program is to write a 20-25 page research paper. All in spanish. Lacking the motivation to work, I decided that having a study date with a friend might motivate me. On the way to my house, we discovered a lot of people outside of the local stadium. Apparently, the "biggest game of the season" was going down in about an hour and a half. Liga vs. Quito: two Quito based teams, who were tied up in the standings. Winner of this game won the whole thing. So, it didn't take long for us to mutually decide, that, well, studying could wait a few hours. We dropped off our backpacks at my house and cruised to the stadium for the game.

The entrance to the Pichincha Sports Stadium

I never realized how passionate South America is about their football. The security was ridiculous: Police on horseback, police with guard dogs, police in riot gear, and undercover police.

Police on horseback outside the stadium before the game started

Police with bomb/other substance you are not allowed to bring in sniffing dogs

More police inside

The 40,000 person stadium was filled to capacity. Upon entrance, we were asked by the security whether we were Liga or Quito fans. We responded, "Quito," not knowing why they were asking.. We were then directed to one side of the stadium. Liga fans and Quito fans are separated by a giant barbed wire fence and riot police. To add to the security, the stadium has a giant moat of death that separates the fans from the field.

The giant moat. Taken from the Quito side. The blue seats are the Liga fans.

So, we were surrounded by passionate and angry Quito fans. Apparently, the last time these two teams played things got ugly on the field. And the fans were ready to support their troops in battle.

Team Quito recruits its fans young

Quito fans. Notice the random Gringo in the bottom right-hand corner

Before the game started, everything was rather peaceful and normal-people taking their seats, vendors selling food, families talking... We decided to get our grub on as well, and enjoyed a meal that would probably make my cardiologist very angry: Large beers, soda, and a hot dog filled to the brim.

Grub.

Kicking it at the game

still, minutes before the game, things were relatively peaceful. The Energizer Bunny was doing laps around the track.


However, chaos was about to erupt. Before we knew it, 35,000 people were shouting football chants in unison. It was rather confusing, as half the fans were shouting one chant for Liga and the other half were screaming for Quito. Then, loud booms cut the noise and a hail of smoke and paper flooded the field:


The aftermath

With the coolest "opening ceremony" I've ever seen, the game finally began. Soon, the crowd was shouting some rather obscene things at the Liga fans. I picked up on some new vocabulary, and being rather inebriated myself, decided to partake in the festivities. When in Rome, I figured... I decided it would be more fun to say them in English and my (now drunk) friend and I decided to have a 1-up match over who could say the most obscene things. The crowd, who didn't understand what we were saying, loved our enthusiasm. I love cultural immersion!!
Within minutes of the second half, Quito scored a sweet goal. The crowd went wild.

This lady is a big Quito fan

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quito ended up scoring another goal, putting the game at 2-0 with five minutes left. They went on to win it all, and the crowd went wild again.

Sad Liga fans after the game.

After the game, I returned back to my house. Motivated to do my work, I turned on my computer... To write this blog entry....
Until next time,
Ashtakakaman (adios in Kichwa)