For more than 20 years Latin American men have been gathering in Bridgeport playing pickup games of soccer.
But what began as 鈥淧ichanga,鈥� a Peruvian slang word for a casual soccer match, has grown into a regular group. The 鈥淏ridgeport Friday Knights鈥� is more than a soccer club, it鈥檚 a place to make new friendships and continue cultural traditions.
Jorge Belleza is originally from Lima, Peru. He's lived in 黑料吃瓜网 for 32 years, and became a member of the 鈥淧ichangas鈥� team about 20 years ago.
He said the team used to play tournaments in the 黑料吃瓜网 league; but they have taken a break to recruit new members in the community.
"We used to participate in the 黑料吃瓜网 league. We played through many divisions. Previously we have participated in free age games, but always playing within the city," Belleza said.
F煤tbol, as it is called in Latin America, is an integral part of Hispanic culture, and heritage. Guillermo Arias is from San Juan de Miraflores, Peru. He's lived in 黑料吃瓜网 for 22 years.
"Most of us are Peruvian, but Colombians, Ecuadorians, and Mexicans have joined our group,鈥� Arias said. We are always open to receiving people of all nationalities.
We always want to be a brotherhood and to keep our group together so that when there is a need among Peruvians or members of other nationalities, we can always be supportive,鈥� Arias said.
Due to a combination of immigration and societal changes, "Futbol鈥� is becoming part of the culture in the United States, .
John Ponziani, is the senior vice president of marketing and communications at Hartford Athletic. He said that soccer is growing in size and popularity as the state diversifies.
鈥満诹铣怨贤� is a soccer state,鈥� Ponziani said. 鈥淎s soccer continues to grow in terms of popularity, we're seeing great turnout from adults and some of those target demographics with event goers. And there's so much support for soccer here.鈥�
鈥淲e want new young men to follow us, so that they can keep playing this sport that we love,鈥� Belleza said.
