Local soccer fans got the chance of a lifetime to see the World Cup’s smallest qualifier make a big splash in Boca Raton
A Curaçao player encourages four members of the Boca Raton girls 10-and-under team, which joined the World Cup athletes on the field after their practice on June 11 at FAU. Photos by Rachel O'Hara/The Coastal Star
By Brian Biggane
The World Cup has come to America, and Boca Raton and Florida Atlantic University have made sure it has also had its moment in Palm Beach County.
Curaçao, an island nation off the coast of Venezuela with a population (160,000) smaller than that of Fort Lauderdale, became the smallest country ever to qualify for the world’s biggest sporting event last November, whereupon FAU Athletic Director Brian White and the city of Boca Raton offered to become the team’s U.S. host.
Curaçao accepted, joining England and Portugal, both of which set up base in Palm Beach Gardens, in calling Palm Beach County home.
The team arrived on June 8, and the next day held its first practice on the FAU football field; two days later it staged an open workout in front of a crowd limited to 5,000 before heading to its first-ever World Cup game vs. Germany in Houston.
Players gushed over what they saw moments before their first workout.
“It’s beautiful here,” midfielder Juninho Bacuna said. “The pitch is amazing.”
“This is typical America,” goalkeeper Tyrick Bodak added. “You watch the movies and it’s always this kind of environment. It’s great to be here and feel it for myself instead of watching on TV.”
Alex Lessen (l-r), Daniel Nagle, Chad Sher and Aaron Sher hold up stickers they collected of Curaçao players while attending practice. Curaçao was part of the Netherlands Antilles chain until becoming independent in 2010. While a number of its natives have played professionally in Europe, Curaçao had never enjoyed even regional success prior to hiring legendary coach Dick Advocaat in January 2024.
Advocaat, who had previously coached the Netherlands and South Korea in World Cups, stepped down to spend time with his ailing daughter in February of this year but returned in May when her condition improved. He has become the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78.
After three wins and two ties in its first five qualifying matches, Curaçao faced host Jamaica on Nov. 18 needing only a tie to advance and got it with a 0-0 result.
“We ran on the pitch, jumping, shouting, crying,” Bodak said. “Every emotion you could have was there.”
That was away, but home fans — an estimated 6,000 of whom traveled to Houston for the first World Cup match — got to share in the excitement when Curaçao beat Aruba 4-0 in its send-off game.
“After that we drove to the hotel and people were lined up in the streets, singing, dancing,” Bodak said.
A number of blue Curaçao jerseys were on hand at the open practice at FAU — the team’s nickname is “The Blue Wave” — and many of the natives now living in Florida made a point to be there. Among them was Rustico DeJesus, who lives in Jacksonville but frequently does business in Riviera Beach.
Members of the Curaçao team practice with Boca Raton boys soccer players at the end of the June 11 training session at FAU.
A single goal is a victory
Reminded that virtually no one expected the World Cup newcomers to advance from their group, DeJesus said his hopes remained high.
“They made it this far, so they have a chance. The first game some of the big teams stumble, so we’re hoping that happens. Just to get here is a celebration.”
Players also expressed confidence.
“If we get one goal it’s already a party,” Bodak said. “It’s our first time, so how is everyone going to react?”
As it turned out, they did get the one goal against Germany to forge a 1-1 tie midway through the first half of their game in Houston, prompting Fox broadcaster Ian Darke to say if they did pull off the upset it would be the biggest in the 96-year history of the World Cup. Four-time champion Germany regrouped, however, and ultimately went on to win 7-1.
Curaçao was much more competitive in its remaining two games, earning its first point in the standings with a 0-0 tie against South American power Ecuador and then falling 2-0 to Ivory Coast in its finale — failing to advance in the competition.
Christopher Ferreira and Lauren Francis display a banner showing the traditional spelling of Curaçao. The surname Korsou has historical roots in Eastern Europe, particularly within the regions that are now part of modern-day Poland and Ukraine.
Connecting with kids
Back at the practice, an assistant coach explaining the rules and narrating the action kept the crowd engaged. The players appreciated it.
“We felt the energy and atmosphere with a little taste of the island,” winger Kenji Gorre said.
About one-fourth of the crowd was made up of youth players, some intent on collecting stickers featuring World Cup stars that were part of a soft drink promotion.
But one group stood out: Players on two Boca Raton 10-and-under teams in their yellow game uniforms joined the Curaçao players on the field for a joint workout afterward.
Gorre said he and his teammates embraced the opportunity. “It’s a huge opportunity, because you can impact the next generation.
“This is a story of hope; this is a story of making your dreams come true. And when that’s translated into the youth, it’s just amazing. We can show them that your dreams are possible. Anything is possible if you believe.”
Boca watch party
What: Watch party for World Cup quarterfinal game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
When: Doors open at 4 p.m. Match begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
Where: Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton.
Notable: Event is part of Boca Raton’s Summer in the City series. Food and entertainment will be featured.
Admission: Free.
Comments