Why City? I asked. “I was visiting England in 2005. I liked Rooney a lot and liked United. But, while I was in Manchester, it was City that played the season home opener (vs. West Bromwich) and I went to see the game. It was a terrible one, scoreless. But, I came back home Manchester City fan.” I don’t go to Starbucks often but I spotted … Continue reading MANCHESTER CITY, ROB
Why Colombia? I asked. “My girlfriend.” Tom was born in Canada after his parents came from Hungary. He speaks fluent Hungarian and we had a nice chat (not in Hungarian) about second generation immigrants and languages here in Montreal. But, it was his girlfriend who turned him into a soccer fan. We agreed that Colombia has a very good team and had a nice showing … Continue reading COLOMBIA, TOM
Why Barca? I asked. “I hate Barcelona. My club is Chelsea.” In front of a local carwash, this Labour day early morning, John and his two colleagues were waiting for the first customers to arrive. As I passed by I just said “Nice shirt” with my thumbs up. “No, not really.” he replied to my surprise. After he told me that Chelsea is his team I asked, obviously, why … Continue reading BARCELONA, JOHN
Why Ecuador? I asked. “And I’m not even from Ecuador… I got it as a gift a few years ago.” The rain had just started and I only had my phone on me (‘the best camera is the one you have with you’ as someone famously said) but I decided to stop Camil anyway. He grew up in Montreal but his parents come from France and Morocco. … Continue reading ECUADOR, CAMIL
Why Argentina? I asked. “I have many friends that are from Argentina.” I walked into a store and there was Yanick, working. He was kind enough to step outside so I can photograph him. Yanick is from Montreal but has a strong connection with South America, his girlfriend is from Peru. Along the way he befriended a few Argentinians and started following their national team. … Continue reading ARGENTINA, YANICK
Why Stoke City? I asked. “I like Stoke.” Then, after I insisted on more, he added “I like them all (teams), I like football.” Which explains it all. It was the first time I met someone wearing the Potters‘ jersey and I was trilled. Koffi and his family arrived to Montreal, from Ivory Coast, only two months ago. I quickly reminded him how Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Ivory Coast … Continue reading STOKE CITY, KOFFI
Why Marseille? I asked. “Always, always, from when I was a kid, always only Olympique de Marseille!” Frederic didn’t mind the rain and was happy to show his colours for the camera. He is from Togo and came to Montreal 5 years ago to study economics and is just finishing his last term. He was to young to remember his team playing Red Star Belgrade in … Continue reading OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE, FREDERIC
Why Chelsea? I asked. “It’s my team ever since I was a kid.” For a few blocks we were overtaking each other at intersections, Nick on his skateboard and I on my bicycle. Finally, we were stopped by a red light and I asked him about his jersey. Nick was just visiting, for a weekend, from Toronto, and doesn’t have much time for soccer. Then … Continue reading CHELSEA, NICK
Why EST? I asked. “That’s my home team.” It always gives me a great pleasure when I meet someone wearing a jersey of a team I really know nothing about. Karim came to Montreal two years ago. We had brief chat about the World Cup qualifiers while his three companions patiently waited and helped in directing him to pose for the camera. In coming weeks … Continue reading ESPÉRANCE DE TUNIS, KARIM
Why Liverpool? I asked. “Because I started dating Lev.” Smadar fell in love with Liverpool through her love for Lev. The amount of love in this post surely beats all the predecessors so I’ll leave it at that. Continue reading LIVERPOOL, SMADAR
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