For quakes & country: Veronika Sieczko's Argentinian story

By San Jose Earthquakes

June 15^th, 2018

For quakes & country: Veronika Sieczko's Argentinian story

Give us your Argentina National Team & World Cup story.

“I was born in Hartford, Connecticut. When I was about a year old, my parents moved back to Argentina, so I grew up in Buenos Aires. I was actually there in 1978 when Argentina hosted and won the World Cup. I was about five years old, and I remember my dad just screaming late at night. He was a cab driver, so he grabbed all of us, threw us in the back of the cab, and drove out into the middle of Buenos Aires. I was on his shoulders. I was five, but this was my first taste of the party. “

“In ’82 we moved back to the U.S. and in 86 when we won again, here in Downtown San Jose we all spilled out into the streets, people were partying again. World Cup brings everyone together. For me it’s always been about hanging out with family and friends and having that national pride. In ’94, I went to the Russia vs. Brazil game at Stanford. That night the Brazilians were partying in Los Gatos. That was an epic party. Best party ever. I was in my Argentina outfit and they didn’t care. It was amazing to be a part of that.”

What’s your history as a Quakes fan?

“’96 was when my friend Larissa got me hooked back into coming out to soccer games at Spartan Stadim. One day she calls me up and she said ‘There’s this kid who just moved to the United States. He doesn’t speak any English, so I need you to come with me, we need to pick him up and show him around.’ We went to go pick him up, and it was Ronald Cerritos. We showed him around, took him out downtown, and we hung out for quite awhile!”

“I started a family, so everything went by the wayside a bit, and then we went to the Copa America Centenario. My husband was just enthralled by it. He loves sports and soccer, so we thought ‘Let’s go ahead and become Season Pass Holders and be more a part of this. It’s been a great decision. The games are our date nights.”

How often do you get to see the Argentina National Team?

‘I don’t seek them out, but when they came out here for the Copa America, it was an absolute must. I wanted my dad to be able to see it. I went out and I bought all four games, four tickets and said ‘we’re going.’ That was really the first and only time I’ve gotten to see them since. I like to see them play. It brings back memories to when I was a kid.”

What’s your favorite part about being a SPH?

“I love the camaraderie we have here. Good or bad, the fans are here. We’re always cheering. I have a lot of friends that come, so we’ll hang out at the bar. I love our date nights. My husband and I can get away and enjoy the games.”

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