Watch best fan greetings as Cape Verde soccer team touches down in MA
· Yahoo Sports
Cape Verde's men's national soccer team has touched down in Massachusetts, a proud moment for the City of Champions, which is home to nearly 20,000 Cape Verdeans.
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Ahead of the start of the FIFA World Cup next week, Cape Verde's team paid a visit to fans at Boston's Logan Airport, who arranged a warm welcome for them ahead of a friendly match against Bermuda this weekend in Hartford, Connecticut.
"First, the Cape Verdean Association of Boston wants to acknowledge this momentus and historic time… Cabo Verde’s first ever participation in the World Cup, which is being hosted in the United States (US), including Massachusetts," the Cape Verdean Association of Boston said in a Facebook post. "As one of many planned events in the US, we were called upon as an organization to support the planning of a welcome event for the Cabo Verde Men’s National Soccer Team and to perform outreach to the community; and as a part of this process, it was important that we worked in partnership with the Cabo Verdean Soccer Federation (FCF)."
Dozens of Cape Verdeans turned out to the airport to welcome the team, and many videos of the celebration circulated on social media.
"We appreciate and thank everyone in the community for responding to our call," the association said. "the sense of community, cultural pride, and vibrant Cabo Verdeano energy was still present- alive and well at the airport yesterday among community residents.
"In addition, the players still received a warm welcome from Cabo Verdean airport staff and personnel," they added. "We are very thankful and proud of everyone who came from Boston, Brockton, Rhode Island, and other communities."
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Cape Verdean team send-off celebration in Pawtucket, RI, sold out
This Sunday, June 7, the Cape Verdean team will be properly sent off for their first official World Cup game at a celebration in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, featuring food, music and chances to meet and greet the players.
The event, which will run from 4-8 p.m. at Centreville Bank Stadium on Sunday, has already sold out.
When is Cape Verde's friendly match against Bermuda?
Cape Verde will take on Bermuda in a friendly match at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford on Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m.
When is Cape Verde's first World Cup match?
Cape Verde will first travel to Atlanta for the group stage of the World Cup. They take on Spain Monday, June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will be referred to as Atlanta Stadium for the World Cup.
See the best reactions and gatherings from Cape Verde's arrival
Here's a look at footage captured by fans and the team as they arrived at Boston Logan International Airport:
Cape Verdean team touches down in Boston
Cape Verdeans turn out in airport lobby and outside to greet players
Police and airport staff welcome Cape Verdean team
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This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Watch best reactions as Cape Verdean soccer team greeted by fans in MA