Ruden Sports News

The crowd of Staples players, youth players, coaches and parents pose on The Hill during Westport’s World Cup Day. (Photo: Kim Lake)

WESTPORT — What is it like to watch the World Cup with 250 young players?

Like the U.S. soccer team against Portugal, seconds from perfection.

The Staples boys soccer program on Sunday hosted what was billed as Westport World Cup Day.

For two hours in the afternoon, the Wrecker players ran stations for youngsters mostly of elementary and some of middle school age. There were areas for different skills, to attempt penalty kicks and an obstacle course. It was hard to decipher who was having more fun: the younger or older kids.

After a break for an early dinner from food trucks, the entire crowd went into the Staples auditorium to watch the U.S.-Portugal game on a big screen.

Full disclosure No. 1: I grew up in Westport, graduated from Staples and played on what was then the school’s sophomore team and got to dress for some varsity games. My career ended in frustration after a season in which I might have set the school record for should-have-been goals missed. Giving up so easily remains a life regret.

Full disclosure No. 2: I have a rule about going to parties, restaurants or any large gatherings for big games I really care about. There are too many distractions and I want to focus.

With those backdrops, I decided to head over to Staples Sunday afternoon to check out the activities. Westport and soccer hold special places in my heart. When I moved to the town in 4th grade from Queens, N.Y., my mother signed me up for youth soccer. I am pretty certain I was not familiar with the sport at the time, but it was then already part of Westport’s culture.

I took to it right away, and it proved a great avenue to meeting people and making friends.

I went on to coach a team my senior year — it included several future Staples stars and, as I continue to remind my co-coach, the only game we lost was while I was away on a college visit.

Sunday’s World Cup Day, a brainchild of Staples coach Dan Woog — my 8th grade summer coach — was a quintessential Westport event, tying together the town’s soccer community, while tightening the bond between the high school and youth programs.

Kids who aspired to be the next DeMarcus Beasley ran around the Staples soccer field for two hours before going into the auditorium to watch him and the rest of the U.S. team play Portugal.

That part of the day proved the most revelatory. I envisioned a bunch of restless — and by that time tired — kids running up and down the aisles. I was certain I would regret staying for the game.

But the kids cheered at all the right times and by their viewing habits showed an unexpected understanding of the game. They were glued for nearly two hours.

It might not have been the size of the outdoor gatherings in major cities that ESPN cut to, but there was a communal spirit following each of the United States’ two goals, oohs and aahs at missed opportunities or a big Tim Howard save. One boy was running around with an American flag.

And during stoppage time a crowd of kids gathered around the stage, under the big screen, in anticipation of a U.S. victory. When Portugal equalized in the final seconds there was stunned silence.

That was the lone blemish on an otherwise special day that not only was enjoyable in a bubble, but roused many old Westport soccer memories.

The day was best summed up by a mother who made up for in enthusiasm what she lacked in World Cup knowledge: “That was fun. They should do this every year.”