Copa Latino 2007

Copa Latino USA, the largest adult soccer tournament in New Jersey, took place Sept. 2 and 3 in Long Branch. This year the tournament involved 28 teams with more than 480 soccer players. With the goal of bringing together the local Brazilian community, Gio Simes organized the first Copa Latino in 1996 with just eight teams participating. The event was timed to coincide with the independence of Brazil, which is celebrated Sept. 7. Now in its 12th edition, the event brings together Hispanics of diverse heritage: Brazilians, Mexicans, Salvadoreans, Ecuadorians, Guatemalans, Peruvians, Paraguayans, Portuguese, and other nationalities including Greeks, Haitians and Americans - all with the same goal: kick the ball and win the trophy. This year's winning team was Lou's Corner of Newark, which participated for the first time.