Unlike 1994, the United States has a house league, which is thriving.
And unlike just about every host since, the stadiums and infrastructure to support the
World Cup did not need to be built.
So, what exactly will be the legacy of the World Cup after the final match is played July
19 in MetLife Stadium?
- Growth of the game at the local level?
- An economic boom – or bust – in the state?
- Branding exposure around the world like no other?
- A new sense of unity among nations – or the revelation that we are more divided
than ever? - All of the above or none of the above.
All these possibilities and more will be discussed Tuesday night (6-8 p.m.) at St.
Benedict’s Prep in Newark.
BINJE editor Tom Bergeron will lead a discussion during a panel presentation: After the
Applause: The Impact of a World Cup.
Registration information is here.
The event is being hosted by hosted by St. Benedict’s Prep in partnership with Latina
Surge National, UNITY/Evolvere Chamber and the New Jersey Small Business Growth
Council.
Here are the panelists:
- Lauren LaRusso, NY/NJ World Cup Host Committee
- State Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark)
- Luis De La Hoz, PNC Bank, Statewide Hispanic Chamber
- Jim Wandling, St. Benedict’s Prep boys soccer coach
- Baye Adofo-Wilson, owner, NY Cosmos
- Eric Stover, NY Cosmos
Charters, the president of Latina Surge, said having the event at St. Benedict’s Prep –
the top high school soccer team in the nation for decades – is meaningful.
“Recognizing the state’s huge tradition in soccer is so important,” she said. “The World
Cup will only add to that legacy.”
Gus Penaranda, the founder and CEO of the UNITY/Evolvere Chamber and the co-
creator of the event, said setting the stage for the moment is important.
“This is one of the very rare moments where the world sits together and can have
conversations that normally would never take place face to face,” he said. “It’s important
that we are ready for the talk.”
