Ecuador’s La Tri was victorious against Haiti’s Les Bicolores, winning 4-0 during their most recent game in Copa América Centenario. An impressive win, but you may not know the motivation they received in the locker room before going out on the field until now. While it’s common for professional athletes to inspire their followers, sometimes the tables turn and the players themselves receive inspiration from fans.
The Ecuadorian national team watched a video sent by Gabriel Alcívar, the mayor of Pedernales, an Ecuadorian town which was heavily impacted by the earthquake in April. Sent to coach Gustavo Quinteros through Whatsapp, player Frickson Erazo acknowledged that the video Quinteros shared with them influenced the squad. In the video, residents of Pedernales, including police officers and government officials, expressed their support for the team and their hopes that they’d qualify for the next round of the tournament.
After their win over the Haitian team, Quinteros dedicated the victory to Pedernales and thanked them for their show of support. Maybe their newfound inspiration will carry them through, and help Team Ecuador as they play against the United States today at 9:30 p.m. EST. This is must-watch futbol.