POSTED: JULY 1, 2026
I am quite a fortunate fellow when it comes to neighbours. Most of people in the marina where I moor En Plein Air are nice folks. And on my dock in particular there are some really nice people. One of those is just two slips away. Jesse is quite a bit younger than I am but we have some common interests and because I have a few years on him have been able to help him on a couple of things. His boat has a lot of teak and I have turned Jesse on to some of the products and techniques I have found to be good ones, for example.
Last week I was chatting with him regarding the issues of the day and like much of the world we have temporarily looked away from Ukraine, Palestine, wildfires, earthquakes, and Trumps latest nonsense to enjoy the FIFA World Cup.
Now I am not a football guy. I like the sport and like everyone, played a bit of soccer as a kid, but this World Cup with Canada co-hosting, and the Canadian team still in the mix has captured my attention in a big way. Jesse is not as football crazy as another slip-mate, Chris, but knows more than I do about it.
There have been a few things that have struck me when watching this high level of play. First, for a “ low contact” sport, while not being as combative as American football or hockey, it really has a lot of rough contact. Beyond the physical task of running constantly these players are really getting roughed up in every game. I didn’t know you could break a leg for example in this sport.
A second thing that all but the aficionados’ are amazed by is the distinction between acceptable roughhouse, minor penalties, and yellow or red cards. It all looks like unsportsmanlike conduct to me, but one day I may understand these distinctions. If I do, I will then perhaps turn my mind to understanding cricket.
And the last one is that this is such a thinking sport. The decision to pass, to shoot to turn on dime and kick using your “other” foot or head all are things being processed in split seconds. AI could learn a lot from these players.
But I started this note talking about Jesse and that’s because of his perspective on the game. Most of us have “our team”. I have friends who have Dutch football emblem tattoos. Others who will travel around the world to see Portugal or England or_________ play, even when its known or expected to be a lopsided match. So, when I asked Jesse if he would be watching the Canada Swiss match, he said he would not be missing it. He went on to explain that he is half Canadian and half Swiss and was looking forward to a good game. Either way it would work out for him.
It was a reminder for me that we increasingly live in a world where we take sides, and sometimes put a pretty hard edge on that commitment. Our team must win and your team must loose, and some take this to an “us & them” demonization stage, like rampant nationalism, instead of healthy patriotism.
You really know when someone is messed up when they don’t have at least a soft spot for the obvious underdog in a game: Eddie the Eagle ski jumping at the winter Olympics decades ago, the Jamaican bobsled team at the Calgary Olympics and recently the Cape Verde team at this world cup not just holding of Spain but giving them a real lesson along the way.
I loved that Switzerland/ Canada game. There was some intense football played by both teams. The Swiss were the better team, in control most of the time and the final score reflected that good playing. Good for Switzerland. “My team”, Canada lost, but gained from the experience I expect. I also gained something from Jesse’s perspective.
Got to go now – another game awaits!
Django
P.S. And HAPPY CANADA DAY!