Uberlândia EC: A Brazilian soccer club’s road to third division

Living in Uberlândia isn’t bad at all. It’s one of those cities that’s large enough to have everything you need, but small enough to have a relaxed feel.

However, with 600,000 people, Uberlândia is the second-largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, following Belo Horizonte. And for being the second-largest city in the state, it’s soccer team is a hideous embarrassment that actually managed to get itself relegated from the state championship (this is Minas Gerais, not Sao Paulo or Rio. Not being one of the 10 best teams in Minas is horrifyingly bad), and now languishes in some fourth-division netherworld.

However, they do play their home games in a magnificent stadium – Estádio Parque do Sabiá – that holds some 72,000 people. At least it could, as generally about 5,000 show up to see the team.

Today, in front of its customary crowd of 5,000, Verdão defeated Valériodoce Esporte Clube, 4-0, behind the classy play of its big off-season signing, Viola, who scored a lovely goal and set up two others.

Viola (Paulo Sérgio Rosa), is a 38-year-old in the tail end of a very nice career that saw him be part of the 1994 Brazilian team that won the world cup, as well as stops at Valencia in Spain, and Corinthians, Palmeiras and Santos, among others in Brazilian League.

Of course, for the second consecutive home game, Viola picked up a red card, meaning he’ll miss the bus trip to Verdão’s next game, which is away. It’s the second consecutive home game that Viola has been given a red card in the waning moments of 4-0 home victories.

“He only wants to play in Uberlândia,” said a nearby fan, disgusted with the expulsion – which was given for a blatant, and irresponsible hand ball.

Nonetheless, the dream is still alive. Verdão still has work to do, but if Viola can stay healthy and sane, this team is going places. Well, maybe not places, but at very least back to Brazil’s Serie C, and the state championship.

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