Digithoughts

The 2010 World Cup has begun and we at Digitaria couldn’t be more excited. When you combine our sports expertise, including websites for the US Soccer and the Seattle Sounders, with our love of the game and our roster of international employees, you get an office full of soccer fanatics! Many Digitarians have played since they were kids; some play on adult leagues now. We wanted to share with you why we love soccer and who we’re rooting for in this year’s World Cup.

Jay Yoo, Jr. Analyst:

"I love how the World Cup can really bring a country together cheering for their nation's team. In my case, I felt pretty proud to be a Korean American when Korea did well."

JoyAnn Book, Web Analyst:

"I won the Oregon State Championship senior year of high school.  Then went on to play Semi-pro soccer for the Portland Rain after college and still hold the record for least amount of goals scored against at Pacific University. After Portland, I was sponsored to play for the Olympic Club soccer team in San Francisco.

I'll be rooting for America to go all the way!"

Michael Zaspel, Designer Contractor:

"I have actually grown up with soccer as my sport of choice. I've been playing since I was young, all the way up through high school. I just play with friends now and have no league like other Digitaria employees.
 
At age 13, my teammates and I traveled to England to compete in a tournament they were having for our age group. Needless to say we got smoked but the experience was great.
 
I am routing for USA deep down, but realistically I believe that the Netherlands are going to take it this year. For the semifinals I have USA versus Netherlands and Spain over Argentina."

Ben Koonse, Software Engineer:

"I played all my life. I played on a traveling team and played in Italy. Soccer is cool because anybody can do stuff with your hands, but with your feet is when it gets interesting.

I'm looking for Brazil to win. I think the biggest World Cup news so far is Drogba is injured."

Mike Dorrell, Software Engineer:

"I played soccer since I was 5, and was playing in a league until I moved here in November. I will probably get back into it here sometime.

I like soccer because it is a great game, and anyone can play. You don't have to be big, tall, or some kind of freak of nature to be good. People say it is boring to watch, but I think it is constantly moving, and doesn't have all the stops games that football and baseball have.

My favorite soccer memory was when I was visiting Peru with a group in college. We were staying in a science station/camp out in the Rain Forest, and started talking (in my broken Spanish) to some of the workers there. One of the guys, though old by then, played for the Peruvian national team in the 70s. We challenged them to a game right there in a clearing in the rain forest. Even though they all played barefoot, they still beat us, but we scored one goal and had a great time playing them.
 
On the World Cup, of course I am rooting for America, but I always root for Germany and think this will be their year."

John Van Spyk, GM of Digitaria Sports:

"I played soccer for 10 years as a kid. Five of those years I was a goalie. Soccer was the first sport I ever played; I grew up with an European father.

I’m rooting for the US and Netherlands (Dutch relatives!)."

Arnoldo Aguilar, Sr. Software Engineer:

"I never played soccer growing up (I was more of a baseball kid). A girlfriend (who is now my wife) introduced me to soccer, and I have been enjoying it for a few years now.
 
Passion, soccer is passion. Not for nothing, it is the most played sport/game in the world.
 
My most unforgettable experience is while attending the World Cup 2002 in Japan/Korea, while traveling through the Tokyo subway system, you could hear a loud chant for "Cielito Lindo" (famous Mexican song that is usually sang on soccer games by Mexican fans). The sound traveled through the tunnels and elevated to the surface on the streets. It was amazing to listen to it.

I’m rooting for Mexico, after my home country I will root for the other North and South American teams in the following order: USA, Argentina, Brazil.

Michael Rose, Project Coordinator:

"I played throughout High School and on club teams till I was 19. I played for Chambersburg Senior High School and held the record for 2nd most assists in one season (not sure if it is still the case).  I participated in a Pennsylvania State tournament with our club team the Chambersburg Mutts in the Poconos (in PA).

I went to a training camp in England and practiced with the Bolton Wonders.  They are an English Premiership team.

 Favorite team is England as I am from there. 

I actually saw them play live a few weeks before the last World Cup, when they played Jamaica."

Julia Hinger, Sr. User Experience Designer:

"Girls I knew didn't really play soccer in Germany. Soccer is more of a guy sport there.
 
I’m rooting for Germany of course!  It's fun to root for your country; it's a good team sport, plenty of drama and especially the Euro Championship and World Cup. They are really cool to watch because it brings people from different nationalities together, even if your team sometimes loses."

Lisa Kaufmann, Account Strategist for Digitaria Sports:

"I’m pulling for Germany and Italy, talent and drama all rolled up!"

Damon Hull, Sales Associate:

"I got hooked on soccer living in Paraguay. Saturday soccer league was THE place to be in my pueblo, drawing teams from 100 miles in every direction. What really did it for me, though, was the 2002 World Cup. It was winter there and several of the games were broadcast in the middle of the night. Those of us who were hardcore enough to huddle around one of the three televisions in town for those games really developed a special bond. Paraguay got all the way to the second round that year, and La Albiroja's success lifted spirits of our tiny community."

Geoffrey Hawkes, Business Analyst:

"I've been playing soccer the last 10 years in Chicago (cold) and San Diego (perfect). Soccer requires tremendous athleticism, endurance, speed, coordination, and teamwork.

I'm part of a great soccer club called SBFC here in San Diego.  They organize about 8 full teams in all divisions as part of the San Diego Count Soccer League, and run social events (snowboarding, beach parties) along with tournaments and private leagues.  My team this last season was newly formed but came first in Division 2 soccer, beating the second place team with a 30-yard free kick in the final game to clinch the trophy.

No predictions for the World Cup; soccer is always fun to watch no matter what the team."

David Pett, Multimedia Developer:

"I played soccer all growing up since the time I was 3 or 4. I haven't played for a little while but have been looking to get back into it. I am an avid soccer fan and am a big supporter of the growth of soccer in the US. I was able to be on the team here at Digitaria that built the SoundersFC.com site and the USSoccer.com site, and I enjoyed working on them.
 
I love soccer because of the physical involvement, the sense of teamwork that it takes to win games. It is the world's sport, and it is for a reason; it takes a lot of hard work and discipline, both mentally and physically.
 
I am a huge US fan and believe that they have a solid squad, with a lot of talent and heart. They are definitely my pick to win the cup. They are an underdog, but they can do it."

Reena Leone, Social Media Coordinator:

"I played soccer from 2nd grade right up until college. Growing up I played spring and fall seasons, indoor in the winter and then went to soccer camp in the summer. I was known for my slide tackles. My mom says she still misses going to my games.

One of the highlights of my soccer “career” was when I won an indoor tournament my first season on Division 1. I was one of the youngest players on the team, pulled up from my Division 2 team with just two other girls. It was intimidating. I scored the winning goal off a penalty kick in over time. My goalie was so happy she picked me up and carried me back to the box.

I’d love for the US to win. Only a handful of teams have won the World Cup. I feel like we’re due. I wouldn’t be too disappointed if Italy won though."

Inner Office Rivalries

Digitaria is no stranger to the rivalries created within “The Beautiful Game.” Digitaria alone hosts over 20 international employees, which naturally creates many inner-office debates, most significantly regarding tomorrow's match between USA and England.

While Director of Web Development Nicholas Davison, a native Englishmen, boasts that he compiles with the British Ambassadors' recent statement: "The Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories - somewhat rare." Designers Zack Travis and Grayden Poper however, direct Nicholas' attention to the teams' only World Cup meeting in which the Yanks pulled off the 1-0 upset. One of these two teams will likely grab the number two spot in their group, which will lead them to face the Group D favorite, Germany.

In this case, "Digi trash talking" will once again ensue as Senior User Experience Designer Julia Hinger and Manager of Project Management Alice Kath root for the boys in black. Software Engineer Arnoldo Aguilar and Bibi Duran will be cheering for their native Mexico, while Project Manager Lauren Kerr and Software Engineer Didier Moniquet will represent The Orange of the Netherlands.

Rivalries don't stop at the couch though, as four Digitarians play in local indoor leagues. A large rivalry has evolved over the last few months between Designers Nathan Trost and Grayden Poper of Team Cotton Candy with Designer Zack Travis of The No Name Boys. Several heated engagements have ensued between these two squads, as will likely be the case once again this Monday night when they meet for the forth time. Travis also plays in a co-ed league in which he plays against Web Developer Nathan Shevlin, who faced Travis' team in a brutal game this past Wednesday night.

Readers' predictions for who will win the 2010 World Cup?

Reena Leone Marketing and Social Media Coordinator

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