{"id":61540,"date":"2024-07-14T07:49:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-14T14:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eltecolote.org\/content\/?p=61540"},"modified":"2024-07-17T11:02:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T18:02:26","slug":"final-copa-america-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltecolote.org\/content\/en\/final-copa-america-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombia, the Copa Am\u00e9rica underdog, ignites S.F.\u2019s Latinx soccer fans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UPDATE: <\/strong>Argentina win Copa Am\u00e9rica to the dismay of San Francisco’s Colombian diaspora.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Copa Am\u00e9rica final is here, pitting Colombia against Argentina Sunday night in Miami in a high-stakes matchup that is set to bring together hundreds of Latinx soccer fans across San Francisco to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing born and raised in Latin America, you grow up really loving football,\u201d said Colombian Nathaly Charris, who was watching the Colombia vs. Panama game inside a San Francisco bar on July 6. \u201cIt\u2019s a part of our culture since you [are] a little kid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Argentina, led by soccer legend Lionel Messi, are the reigning world champions looking to take home their second consecutive Copa Am\u00e9rica trophy. A win would grant La Albiceleste its third straight trophy, earning them their 16th title in this competition \u2013 the most in its history. Yet Colombia’s 28-game win streak could lead Los Cafeteros to their second trophy in 23 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A worker catches a glimpse of the Copa Am\u00e9rica match at The Kezar Pub in San Francisco, Calif., on June 22, 2024. Photo: Jeremy Word<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of the big game, El Tecolote<\/em> documented Latinx fandom around Copa Am\u00e9rica at San Francisco bars and the two group stage matches at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara. One Latinx group, in particular, has been showing up with big energy throughout the series: Colombians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the city\u2019s Hispanic population is primarily Mexican, accounting for 7% of the total population, Colombians are a small but growing group. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Colombians in the city rose by 65% from 2010 to 2020, amounting to about 2,800 residents and representing 0.3% of the entire city population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considered the underdog against Argentina in the final game, Colombia has ignited a fervent gathering among the city\u2019s Latinx communities. Here\u2019s what our journalists saw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colombia vs. Brazil, Matchday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scorching temperatures did not stop Colombian fans from being the main group <\/a>packing Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara on July 2 for the game against Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Colombian fans cheer during the Copa Am\u00e9rica game against Brazil at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on July 2, 2024. Photo: Pablo Unzueta for El Tecolote\/CatchLight Local<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Colombia vs. Panama, Quarterfinals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colombians packed Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub to watch their favorite team dominate Panama in a 5-0 match on July 6. \u201cIt was indescribable seeing all these Colombians like, \u2018Oh my god, where did they come from?\u2019\u201d said Colombian Daniela Vaughan, who lives in Berkeley. \u201cIt was awesome to see how many people came to travel to see their teams and to show so much love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nathaly Charris celebrates Colombia\u2019s victory over Panama during the Copa Am\u00e9rica game at Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub in San Francisco, Calif., on July 6, 2024. Photo: Michelle Suarez Fuentes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a good feeling that we probably can win Copa Am\u00e9rica,\u201d Charris said, \u201cI was telling my mom if they win then I\u2019m coming back [to Colombia] because I know it\u2019s going to be a huge celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Colombia vs. Uruguay, Semifinals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colombians continued to be the majority at both The Kezar Pub and Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub, watching with intense excitement as Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we should support Colombia,\u201d said Colombian Natalia Davis about Sunday\u2019s final game. \u201cWe haven\u2019t won a Copa [Am\u00e9rica] game since 2021.\u201d Mexican Delvin Garc\u00eca agreed: \u201cIn Miami, there\u2019s more Argentinians. Here, it\u2019s more about Colombians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Colombian fans pack The Kezar Pub to watch the Copa Am\u00e9rica game against Uruguay in San Francisco, Calif., on July 11, 2024. Photo: Jeremy Word<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by El Tecolote (@eltecolotesf)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>