SANTA CLARA — Outside Levi’s Stadium, the spirit of the Copa America was alive and well.
Fans from Brazil and Colombia gathered to celebrate their love for the sport and their countries.
“Come on, Brazil,” shouted Marco Junior, a Brazilian who has lived in the Bay Area for five years.
Junior and his friends were spotted enjoying a Brazilian barbecue, complete with chicken, bacon, meat and drinks.
“We made a BBQ, a Brazilian BBQ of course, chicken, bacon, meat, all the trimmings and some drinks too,” said Junior.
He and his friends arrived around 1pm to soak up the atmosphere.
“We arrived here around 1pm to enjoy everything. It was full of Colombians, so we made a lot of friends,” he added.
Not far from Junior and his friends, Alexis Rodriguez, a Colombian who has lived in the neighborhood for almost six years, was not only cooking but also selling delicious chicken skewers, known as chuzos.
For Rodriguez, the event was more than just a competition.
“There is nothing like enjoying Colombian food, that reconnection with your land, with your soul. It is a day where there are many people we do not know, but at this moment we are all family,” Rodriguez shared.
The area around the stadium transformed into a vibrant sea of Colombian and Brazilian flags, with fans showing their pride and excitement. Once inside, the energy intensified.
As the match kicked off it was clear that the Copa America had taken a piece of the fans’ home turf and united everyone in their love of football.
