Sober Second Thoughts: Cheers, to all of you
Rycroft would have been shocked at how fast I got this one written
It was a much different celebration than I would have imagined 15 years ago. Ok, let’s be honest, imagining the celebration 15 years ago would have been mad. Canada didn’t make World Cups, much less advance to the final 16 of them.
But, in moments of madness a decade and a half ago, I would have assumed the hours that passed after an injury time winning goal that sent Canada through would have involved, well… let’s just say it would have involved a long night.
Things change, though. For people and for national soccer programs. It turns out that 15 years is a long time. So is 40, which is how long I have been a fan of the national team – you’ll have some more on that history in the days ahead as I am writing a longer article on my history in the game and What It All Means — but tonight let’s embrace the quiet joy that comes with seeing something you have long loved finally succeed, even as your relationship with it evolves and changes.
So, anyway, the celebration. I’m in Mansonville, Quebec, right on the Vermont border (also the old stompin’ grounds of Mordecai Richler, for those who are into that sort of thing), so it wasn’t like there was a Voyageurs viewing that I could head over to. No, just me and Lisa and the cat on a couch of our rented cottage with me muttering for 90 minutes about how we were being too wasteful with the ball. We were too wasteful, but it’s amazing how a 92nd minute winner will change how you remember a game. Richie could have gotten a call on another day and two goal line recoveries by South Africa suddenly become evidence of the inevitable rather than moments to lament for four years and forever.
Yes, the celebration. I’m getting to it. It’s just that what has giving me more this past two weeks than my own reactions is watching the rest of the country become a fan – seeing two flags on a car, viewing parties in unexpected places, getting stopped in a marche in Sherbrooke, Quebec, when someone saw my bucket hat. That stuff.
Sure, most of those people won’t be grinding their teeth in the 68th minute of a scoreless draw in Guatemala in two years time as we look to get to Spain-Portugal-Morocco, but that’s ok. Not everyone is cut out to be a maniac. Frankly, it’s probably for the best because it’s exhausting to have to explain to people that, actually, that 0-0 draw in El Salvador isn’t that bad and it’s a hell of a lot harder to beat those teams than you think…yes, that player plays his club football in Belize, what of it?
I’m not sure if you can call it celebrating, exactly, but what I did after the game was that I went for an 11k run. Follow me on Strava, if you want to know more on that, but the reason I chose to walk out the door after an historic day was because running clears the head and let’s you think clearly. It’s perfect for remembering.
Remembering what just happened – Stephen Eustáquio’s goal played over in my head and I imagined the possibilities of more – but mostly remembering what happened before.
Of road trips to Montreal to play Caribbean teams. Of Squizz sitting in the Duke in total and complete despair after that game. Of Squizz and I sitting at Scallys giving alternative game commentary of a women’s game against Germany, much to the bemusement of the only other person in the bar. Of Squizz, basically, and others like him. I hope Squizz enjoyed the day. Few have loved this team as much as he did then.
And there are so many others – too many to call out here – that I could say the same of. I thought of them all as I ran today.
Sports matter because we allow ourselves to care about something that we have no control over and while doing so we find a community that cares with us. In turn, we care about them, which makes the sport even more meaningful.
Today was a very meaningful day and I’m really happy I shared it with you all.
So, how did I celebrate?
I sat down and wrote this blog, of course. And, with a week off work, there’s going to be a lot more this week as I celebrate a 40 year adventure…
Onward!*
*Obviously I thought about Ben Knight on my run, too
Like Colin said. Thanks.
Perfect.