Jorge Garcia scored six goals as Chile outlasted a resilient Mexican team, 8-5, last Sunday in the ninth annual Homeless World Cup.
Chile rode a brilliant performance by Garcia to overcome an early deficit in Mexico City’s historic Zocalo Square, and Edwuard Gomez’s strike in added time extinguished a late rally by the host nation.
The Homeless World Cup is an in¬ternational non-profit organization focused on combating homelessness worldwide through sport. Proclaiming to “use the power of [soccer] to energize homeless people to change their own lives,” the organization, which boasts partnerships with over 70 nations worldwide, celebrates its work by holding an annual international soccer tournament. The event allows participants to unite with fel¬low homeless from around the globe while providing a platform to raise awareness on the issue.
Matches are played on “street courts” only 72×53 ft. by teams con¬sisting of four players (three fielders and one goalkeeper). Played over two 7-minute halves, matches are faster-paced and feature higher scoring than traditional soccer.
This year, 54 nations and 250,000 players, both men and women, traveled to Mexico City to take part in the eight-day tournament, which culminated in Chile’s thrilling finals victory.
After a closely contested first half ended in a 3-3 tie, Garcia then came roaring out of the break, netting four straight goals to break the match open for Chile. Two late goals by a determined Mexican team threatened the Chilean lead, but Gomez’s score in added time put the game out of reach for good.
