Ecuadorian Fans Unite in Brooklyn to Support Their Team
Nearly 200,000 Ecuadorians and Ecuadorian Americans reside in New York City. Last week, many gathered at El Encebollado de Victor, a Brooklyn restaurant, to watch Ecuador face Germany, a traditional football powerhouse.
The scene was vibrant: a sea of yellow jerseys beneath the restaurant’s blue roof, decorated with balloons in Ecuador’s red, blue, and yellow colors. Among the most patriotically attired was Luis Aguilar, 45, born in the US to Ecuadorian immigrant parents.
Aguilar wore an Ecuador jersey, scarf, and a straw hat emblazoned with the country’s colors and name. He also had an Ecuadorian flag draped around his neck and was accompanied by his dog, Jax, who sported a flag as well.
As the match, held in New Jersey, commenced, the stadium also showed a strong Ecuadorian presence with yellow shirts filling the stands. The national anthem, ¡Salve, Oh Patria!, was sung passionately both in the stadium and at the restaurant.
“It’s very fascinating. I have not seen this many Ecuadorians in one place [the stadium] probably ever,”
Aguilar said.
“To see all the yellow jerseys – it’s incredibly heart-warming and mesmerizing.”
New York City is home to over 3 million foreign-born residents from more than 150 countries, creating a rich cultural tapestry. During the World Cup, bars, restaurants, and cafes become patriotic hubs where New Yorkers seek a connection to their homelands.
At El Encebollado de Victor, 12-year-old Karen Lasluisa was intently watching the game. A passionate football player herself, she was accompanied by her two sisters and mother, Elvia Tubon. Karen predicted the emotional stakes of the match.
“I think she will cry if Ecuador loses,”
Karen said, pointing to her mother.
The game started unfavorably for Ecuador with Germany scoring within two minutes. Ecuador needed a win to remain in the tournament. Fortunately, Ecuador equalized, and the score was 1-1 at halftime. Daniel Gutierrez, 30, born in Quito and living in the US for four years, expressed confidence in Ecuador’s chances. He had attended previous matches at the restaurant.
“It’s kind of like being close to home,”
Gutierrez said, enjoying encebollado, a traditional fish stew with yuca, onions, and cilantro.
Despite the football enthusiasm, Ecuador faces significant challenges. The country has become a transit hub for cocaine from Colombia and Peru. The government’s stringent response has led to a surge in violence, with at least 51 people, including children, reportedly killed by law enforcement agencies.
“There’s lots of things going on in the country, and with all those bad things, this feels like an escape for people to enjoy themselves a little bit. To enjoy being together, to maybe hope for better things,”
Gutierrez said.
“The political situation, it’s always been difficult for us. That’s why there’s lots of Ecuadorians in the US right now, because of immigration: we all have to come here and search for a better future.
“So we are like locals here, which is nice, but at the same time a little sad, because it should not be like that, you know. We should be all in Ecuador, supporting from our country.”
The restaurant served as a surrogate home, and when Ecuador scored to take the lead and eventually won 2-1, the atmosphere was electric. Patrons leapt to their feet, chairs were tossed aside, and cheers echoed onto the quiet street. Karen’s mother did not shed tears of sadness after all.
Senegalese Fans Face Visa Challenges but Rally in New York
While the Ecuadorian stadium was packed, Senegalese supporters faced difficulties attending the World Cup in person. In March, the Trump administration implemented a policy requiring citizens from certain countries, including Senegal, to pay a one-time bond to enter the US.
This policy limited attendance by Senegal’s national team supporters, known as Douzième Gaindé, or the 12th lion. Their absence was felt as Senegal struggled in early matches.
However, Senegalese fans already in the US showed strong support. In New York’s “Petit Sénégal” neighborhood in Harlem, a vibrant area filled with restaurants and shops, Senegal football shirts were prominently displayed. Pâtisserie Les Ambassades, a cafe serving traditional Senegalese cuisine, was a gathering spot.
Charlotte Gueye, 31, originally from Dakar and a longtime New York resident, commented on the visa policy’s impact.
“I think the visas thing did have an effect for the Norway game [Senegal lost 3-2], for example,”
Gueye said.
“The Norwegians’ cheers were really loud, and I feel like there’s a psychological aspect for players from that: if you can’t see or hear your fans, I feel like that can affect you on the pitch.
“I think it’s really sad that it came to that, not just for Senegal, but also for other countries where they were not able to get visas to come. That’s not what the World Cup is about.”
Gueye ordered thiebou dieune, a fish and rice dish considered Senegal’s national dish, and lamb mafé, a peanut and tomato stew. She was joined by Rokhaya Ndiaye, 25, and her husband Momodou Sey, who were also enjoying traditional fare.
“Just to sit down and eat Senegalese food while watching our game, just showing full-on patriotic support, having our jersey on and everything, it’s the only way to watch the game,”
Ndiaye said.
Ndiaye wore Senegal’s green away shirt, while Sey wore the white version, both purchased locally. They noted that the US was missing out by not having more Senegalese fans present.
“Senegalese people are about warmth, kindness. They’re definitely super welcoming. Hilarious. Yeah, Senegal is just a place where, if you just want to put your mind at ease, it’s the place to go.”
Brazilian Community Brings Vibrancy to Queens During World Cup
Brazil, with a record five World Cup titles, has a significant diaspora in Queens. At Beija Flor, a restaurant in Astoria, fans gathered shoulder to shoulder. Owner Lucia Cruz decorated the space extensively with yellow and green streamers and A Seleção cloths on the tables.
Fans arrived as early as 11:30 a.m. for a 1 p.m. match, securing spots in front of a large screen while ordering coxinha, pastel, and caipirinhas.
“It’s a different energy,”
Ana Paula Fortkamp, 33, who moved from Paraná, Brazil, three years ago, said.
“It’s Brazilian energy. The whole world knows that we’re excited, and that we dance: you cannot find that in an American sports bar, you know, it’s very, very different.”
The first half was tense as Brazil fell behind 1-0 to Japan, an unexpected outcome. Samba music played during halftime lifted spirits. More fans arrived for the second half, and Beija Flor set up two TVs outside where about 50 people gathered to watch.
“I think our culture as Brazilians, we’re a very embracing culture,”
Monique Prado, 29, who lives in Connecticut and traveled over an hour to attend, said.
“Even if you don’t know who you’re standing next to, they become like family at the time of a game. Brazilians – we embrace soccer so much, so when you’re watching the game with other people, we’re just your people so it’s a lot of fun, and it’s a great energy.”
Brazil scored to equalize and then netted a last-minute goal to defeat Japan and advance. Fans celebrated exuberantly, hugging and cheering as the excitement spilled onto the street. Additional drinks were ordered amid the jubilation.
Though watching in New York is not the same as being in Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, or São Paulo, for Brazilian fans, as well as Ecuadorian and Senegalese supporters, gathering with compatriots offers a sense of home, community, and hope for their teams’ success.
