I should probably start by introducing myself. My name is Duncan Bochicchio, I’m 19, from Los Angeles, and I’m going to the World Cup this summer. Sure, plenty of people are getting to the World Cup, but I bet you not many people got there in as crazy and unique a way as I did! Sit tight, and don’t look away because you won’t want to miss this!
I am a huge USMNT fan, so when I was sitting in my Art History class in December of last year, frantically refreshing my Twitter feed to see who the USMNT had drawn for the World Cup, as you can imagine I was horrified to find it was the ‘Group of Death’. But I was inspired—the team needed me. I’ve always wanted to go to a World Cup, and I’m an aspiring sports journalist, so I created an online campaign to make it happen. I raised over $4,000 and my journalism career was underway.
Part of this trip was about learning the ropes of professional sports journalism, and it’s been fantastic so far. I started my own website with a blog and have written articles about the USMNT for several different online publications—even getting recognition from former USMNT player and current NBC Sports soccer analyst Kyle Martino—but it has to be said that my original motivation was to go support my nation in the greatest sporting event on Earth. So I found the American Outlaws—the die-hard, nation-wide fan group that supports the USMNT at every game. You know – the dudes behind the goal who sing and dance all game long, regardless of where the game is, or how horrible the weather conditions are? But with this I get the best of both worlds. I get the ultimate fan experience, while also getting as close to the team as possible so I can write all about them.
I’ll be in Brazil for 17 days, traveling to Natal, Recife and Manaus, and I’ll be at all three US group matches against Ghana, Portugal and Germany. I’m also going to be featured in a documentary series following the Outlaws that will be seen at AOinBrazil.com. In addition to the video series, I’ll be blogging, Tweeting, and posting pictures on Instagram so that you can share my experience, even if you won’t be there.
This whole project has been an unreal experience so far, and I can’t wait to get down there already! You can follow my project with all the latest from Brazil right here at Futnsoccer and also at my own website: Duncangoestobrazil.com. You’ll be hearing from me soon!
