If you want me to be a fan of your favorite soccer team – just ask. I arrived in Brazil without any knowledge of the teams or their history, without any biases or preconceived notions. When my roommate Andrea expressed that she was a fan of Inter, from her hometown of Porto Alegre, I became a fan too. When my friend Roberto said he cheers for Cruzeiro, I began to as well. A week ago, I joined the bandwagon of another team, Corinthians, and watched them the next day in the Paulistao (São Paulo championship). After all, someone at a party the night before had told me they were a great team. They lost in the Paulistao. It wasn’t close. My passion for these teams, and whichever future teams people ask me to cheer for, clearly doesn’t run very deep. I don’t bleed Inter red when they lose. I didn’t cry tears of Cruzeiro dark blue when they were eliminated from a South America tournament. I can’t even remember what Corinthians’ uniforms look like. For the last couple of months, I’ve tried to take an interest in these teams but have been unable to. I’ve been a fan of all teams, and therefore, of none.
This might soon change. I watched a recent game between Andrea’s favorite team, Inter, and their archrival, Gremio. Gremio has an attacking style, a charismatic coach, and a long history of success. Most importantly, they have spectacular uniforms – Carolina blue with black stripes. I was in love. But can I really cheer for the archrival of a friend? Maybe I’m back to where I started – a fan of all teams. And of none.
Really, which team would you cheer for -- Inter (in the hideous NC State red) or Gremio (in that gorgeous Carolina blue)?
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