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July 2007
Teen Titans
The FIFA U-2O World Cup—a fan’s primer By Liam Casey
The FIFA U-20 World Cup is now in full swing—don’t count Canada out just yet—but navigating the seas of competing fans can be treacherous. Just like matadors never show up to a bullfight wearing red, you don’t want to show up at a Brazilian boîte in Argentine colours. Here, a guide to which jersey to sport, as well as where to watch and what to scream at the TV.
| Team | Where to watch | What to wear | The native cheer | Back story |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brazil![]() |
Cervejaria Downtown Bar & Grill (842 College St.) is right on the strip shut down by throngs of fans after Brazil captured the 2002 World Cup. | #10, Zico. Stand out from the Pelé jerseys with a nod to this ’80s superstar. | “Eu sou Brasileiro / com muito orgulho / com muito amor!” (Translation: “I am Brazilian / with much pride / with much love!”) | Brazil has won four world youth championships, second only to rival Argentina. |
Portugal![]() |
With Italy not qualifying for the U-20 tourney, the Portuguese community will take over Italian standby Café Diplomatico (594 College St.), as well as every other joint on College and Dundas streets. | #7, Luis Figo. While the kids will be sporting Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys, stick with this classic—Figo is Portugal’s all-time leader in goals. | “Portugal Allez!” (Translation: Go Portugal!) | While Portugal has never won a major men’s tournament, they have twice captured the youth championship—in 1989 and 1991. |
Canada![]() |
King West has become the unofficial home of the Toronto FC before, during and after MLS games. Watch at a Toronto institution, the Wheat Sheaf (667 King St. W.), and stick around for the flood of fans from BMO Field. | #1, Craig Forrest. Unfortunately, you’d have more luck stumbling upon a sasquatch than discovering this jersey on a rack. | “Hoo-ha, Canada / Say hoo-ha, Canada!” (Inevitably, however, it turns into “Go, Leafs, go!”) | Nineteen-year-old David Edgar is also plying his trade as a defender for Newcastle in the English Premiership. |
Argentina![]() |
Take in the perennial youth favourites at Sky Ranch (2473 Dufferin St.). To fully embody the local spirit, dig into some authentic Argentine beef after a victory. | #9, Gabriel Batistuta. Ditch the played-out Maradona jersey in favour of the one worn by this prolific goal scorer, nicknamed “Batigol.” | “Vamos vamos, Argentina / Vamos vamos, a ganar / Que esta barra, quilombera / No te deja no te deja de alentar.” (Translation: “Let’s go Argentina / Let’s go win / This passionate group of fans / Won’t ever stop cheering for you.”) | Lionel Messi, the 20-year-old wunderkind that led Argentina to victory in 2005, is no longer on the roster—he’s graduated to the men’s team. |
Republic of Korea![]() |
Frenzied Korean soccer fans now rival the best in the world. Join them at Bar Baba (670 Bloor St. W.). | #19, Ahn Jung-Hwan. Became a legend by scoring the winner in an upset over Italy in 2002. | “Hey Komingo!” (translation: “Be the Reds!”). | The team boasts the most World Cup appearances by an Asian country. |
USA![]() |
What better way to celebrate America than by having a pint of Coors Light at Shoeless Joe’s (1189 King St. W.), a sports bar named for the infamous baseball legend. | #22, Alexi Lalas. Impersonate the man himself by growing a bushy goatee and donning a long, red wig. Lalas is also David Beckham’s new boss in Los Angeles. | “Our legs shall never tire / Our hearts will see us through / Goals, goals, goals / For the red, white and blue!” (After a few Silver Bullets, switch to the simpler “USA! USA! USA!”) | Eighteen-year-old captain Freddy Adu has played in two tournaments already—the first as a 14-year-old. |














