Not even Houston’s unending humidity or a smattering of summer downpours could stop a storied tradition, as thousands of Dutch football fans gathered at Rice Stadium in Houston clad in orange, some as early as 6 a.m.
The site where President John F. Kennedy vowed to land a man on the Moon became a celebration of world sport as the Dutch faithful prepared to march the roughly 2.5 miles from Rice University to NRG Stadium (or Houston Stadium) to watch the Netherlands national football team take on Sweden. It’s a tradition that has spread to cities around the globe, including Arlington, Texas, and later Kansas City.
I had seen incredible interviews with World Cup tourists visiting the U.S., and my goal was to get one for myself. I made a beeline for the first group of Dutch-looking guys I spotted. I tapped one on the shoulder. “Hello, I’m a journalist, would you be willing to speak with me about your experience in America?” The man, who identified himself only as “Jansen,” was blunt with me…