Are you ready for some MORE fútbol?

June 21, 2011 2:50 pm CT

After a close win for Panama over El Salvador with the game ending in a penalty kick shootout, the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup returns to Texas for the semi-final matches in Houston. The first match of a double-header features the United States versus Panama, followed by Honduras versus Mexico. We made sure to invite a few huge soccer fans to come enjoy the Futbolmania again, and also hooked them up with some sweet Chevy rides for a week. While doing this, we got a first-hand look at soccer culture in America as two of our guests, Jose Romero and Ricardo Molina, shared their thoughts on the Gold Cup games, the popularity of soccer in America and their favorite players and teams.

Jose Romero is the president of the Quest Soccer Club in Deer Park, Texas, and has been playing soccer his entire life. He loves coaching his kids, including one son who plays for the University of Texas at San Antonio, and enjoys working with Quest Soccer Club volunteers to help kids in Houston develop a love for the game of soccer. “I think Houston is one of the biggest cities for futbol along with Dallas. Texas leads the way for the love for this sport.”

Ricardo Molina is the president of the West Houston Soccer Club and has been following the Gold Cup both live and online. He sees soccer catching on in the Houston suburbs, where kids start playing at a very early age. The West Houston Soccer Club helps those kids learn teamwork, sportsmanship and real-life skills as more and more Houstonians start to see how passionate soccer fans can be. He attributes the soccer passion in Houston to the influence of people from other countries, and that helps show people in Texas just how fun soccer can be.

Coincidentally, when asked who their favorite player was, both replied, “Lionel Messi.” Messi is considered one of the best football players of his generation, winning awards for both his native Argentina and for his talent in FIFA international play. Both are also Mexico fans, so the match against Honduras should definitely be a favorite!