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Soccer Unifies Philly Ethnics




By:  Kevin Trainor/Managing Editor

 Alan Joinville is originally from Haiti, but has lived in the Philadelphia area since the 1980’s.  He stands on the sidelines of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia watching the third place game between Puerto Rico, and Jamaica.  Forty Eight nations make up the Unity Cup Championship.  It is a process that started out in September in the city parks.  From Mt. Airy to Richmond, Byberry to Elmwood, Overbrook to Holmesburg, and all points in between. Philadelphia’s ethnic communities have been battling out in open spaces, and afterwards enjoying each other’s company.

 Alan is pleased.  The league has been a success for the second year running.  Last year Sierra Leone took the Cup home.  This year, Liberia.  The two-month long tournament is the product of a joint effort between the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, and Goya.  Nations from Israel to Ireland, Cambodia to Nigeria, and this year an all Refugee team was formed.  If you follow up with asking how they did, well, a head turns, a smile forms, and talk of a “communication problem,” can be faintly heard.
The players are for the most part under thirty.  These are not national teams, but neighborhood ones.  Even after just two years perennial favorites have been established.  Enough success of the program has been realized that some of the Philadelphia media has taken notice like KYW, 1060 AM and its CBS 3 television relation.  More than a few are hoping the third-place game doesn’t go into overtime as that will mess with the schedule.  Lincoln Financial, the NFL home of the Philadelphia Eagles, sits idle this weekend.  The Eagles have a bye week.  In the press area “Broncos” tape still is up on the doors.  One KYW Radio staffer bemoans the jaded fact that there’s no food up here today, and not even coffee.

 Such concerns do not pester Miguel Herrera, whose three boys are on Team Puerto Rico this afternoon.  The Herrara’s are from North Philadelphia, on 5th St, near Lehigh.  Miguel is watching Jose, Dennis, and Brayan, battle the Jamaicans. They will win, but that is secondary. The Herrara Family is cheering in force.  Sadly, for many, this will be the only time they will be inside Lincoln Financial Field. Almost.  Alan Joinville tells NoViewNews.com that the real benefit is exposure.  Israelis would not have been exposed to Nigerians, South Africans to Iraqis, save for a tournament like this.  “It’s good, it’s great for the city.”

 All games are free for spectators in the World Cup style tournament.  A great example to other multi-ethnic areas as the Philadelphia International Unity Cup wraps up.  Congratulations to Unity Cup Champion Liberia.  Check out the parks late next summer, and you will likely catch a match.
Several corporate, media, and non-profit sponsors have also teamed up with the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department on Championship Saturday.  Goya is the primary underwriter of tournament play.

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