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One Tuesday as we sat in chemistry class waiting for the professor to arrive, I began talking to Arash, a classmate from high school and an equally passionate soccer fan. We went over the games that were scheduled the day before and discussed possible outcomes and the subsequent impact on World Cup qualification. He asked me if the US had made it and I told him they had had a game with Trinidad and Tobago that would determine their fate. I also (incorrectly) added that even a tie would be sufficient for them to advance. We ended the conversation with Arash stating, “I think last night was the end of the qualification games.”

That day after classes I walked towards Azadi Square with Sharestani and a friend of his. As we approached a newspaper stand I excused myself and bought a copy of Pahlevan, a sports newspaper. On the cover in large and bold font it read “The final 24 teams for the 1990 World Cup have been determined.” I quickly turned to the page it indicated and began to skim through it but then put the newspaper down. I knew I wouldn’t be seeing the US among the 24 teams. I promised myself that if the US wasn’t listed that I wouldn’t cry, wouldn’t throw a hissy fit, wouldn’t kick my surroundings, wouldn’t curse, wouldn’t get mad and would just accept it like a mature adult. With that in mind I turned back to the page and went straight to the list of countries. The countries were listed by continent; South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia; CONCACAF: Costa Rica, USA. I didn’t even read the rest. I suddenly became overcome by a wave of euphoria and felt like hundreds of tiny balloons had been attached to me and were taking me up into the sky. 


As we continued towards Azadi Square Shahrestani noticed my sudden mood change. “Is everything ok?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Everything is absolutely fine.”

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