JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
(JTA) — Jose Pekerman has stepped down as the coach of the Colombia national soccer team after leading the South American country back to international prominence, including two World Cup appearances, during his nearly seven-year run. Pekerman, 69, an Argentine who was the only Jewish coach or player participating in the 2018 World Cup, decided not…
Much like cicadas tentatively emerging from the ground after years of hibernation, the American public is gearing up once again to care about soccer. That’s right, it’s time for the World Cup, the international showcase of the globe’s greatest passion: bribery football. As more and more Americans familiarize themselves with the beautiful game (average attendance…
Jose Pekerman chats with Colombia player as the team prepares to face Brazil in the World Cup. / Getty Images There’s a joke being told in the bars of Rio about how different national teams tried to curry support. Italy put out a press release that if they won they would give free pizza to…
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman is a thin man who has endured the lean years that inevitably come with a life devoted to soccer. When the Argentine’s playing years ended due to a knee injury in the late 1970s, he supported himself with odd jobs, like driving a taxi. Now he has pulled Colombia’s national team…
Led by its Jewish Argentine coach, Jose Pekerman, the Colombia soccer team will be returning to the World Cup following a 16-year absence. With Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Paraguay, Colombia was in second place in the World Cup qualifying tournament for South American teams with 30 points, two behind Argentina. The top four squads automatically…
