How I Came to Follow Ecuador

A reader asks, in so many words, how a guy named Trent became a fan of Ecuador. Fair question, and here’s my answer.

I had played soccer all of my life, but had never attended a professional match until I was 16 years old. I was studying in Guayaquil, Ecuador during the summer of 1990. The Ecuadorian family I stayed with were big Barcelona (de Guayaquil) fans, and so my first professional match was a Copa Libertadores tilt pitting Barcelona versus Progreso of Uruguay. Barcelona went on the finals of the Copa that year, ultimately losing to Paraguayan side Club Olimpia.

Those were the days when Jimmy Izquierdo roamed the pitch for Barcelona. In fact, click here to watch one of the all-time legendary Barcelona goals, courtesy of Izquierdo during that 1990 Copa against Progreso.

So, I don’t necessarily follow a specific team in Ecuador, although I know more about the Barcelona-Emelec rivalry than any other. And of course, I’m excited to see La Tri qualify for World Cup finals no. 2. Thanks for reading and commenting! ¡Sí, Se Puede!