From Bogota to Queens: La Cancha Arena is home away from home

“QUEENS, N.Y. – After the final whistle blew and Independiente Santa Fe were crowned campeones de Colombia, their fans were plunged into a joyous delirium. Whether due to the weight of 10 minutes of stoppage time or the near decade since the team’s last Categoria Primera A title, the moment brought fans to their knees as they screamed in celebration. With their fists in the air, chaos erupted around them. Strangers ran into each other’s arms, as families embraced one another in disbelief. Some teary-eyed fans stood still, soaking it all in, their rolled-up sleeves revealing the Santa Fe crests tattooed on them like a captain’s armband. Sounds of cumbia villera filled the air, as cold beer fell from the sky. It was like these fans were inside El Atanasio, too, but this electric crowd was far from it. This crowd of about 400 strong was some 2,400 miles away at La Cancha Arena, a sports lounge that opened four months ago in Long Island City, Queens. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
W – Categoria Primera A, W – La Equidad