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KANSAS CITY, MO — Downtown Kansas City is buzzing with the arrival of the Ecuador national team. La Tri is looking for a bounce-back win after losing to the Ivory Coast in its World Cup opening match in Group E.
Ecuador are taking on Curaço in the second match of group play at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 20 in Kansas City.
Local Kansas Citians wanted to welcome the team.
World Cup: Dick Advocaat all jokes in build-up to Curaçao vs Ecuador game
Downtown restaurant Senorita Margarita dedicated its exterior to Ecuador deender Willian Pacho.
The restaurant created a mural of Pacho alongside the mural of Argentina’s Lionel Messi. The image is dedicated to two of the most notable players competing in Kansas City during the World Cup.
“That’s lovely,” Alan Franco said during Friday’s press conference. “If they have something that has to do with Ecuador in that mural, that shows the love that we feel.”
According to Fox4 Kansas City, Ecuador in KC founder Paulina Tabares worked with artist MisterAlek and Jasmine Thompson, Señorita Margarita owner, for construction of the mural.
“We wanted to paint Willian Pacho because he has been winning a lot of championships,” artist MisterAlek said told Fox4. “We also realized that Argentina was going to be playing just a few days before, so we decided to do it for our brothers in South America.”
World Cup: Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul make MLS history together
Pacho is coming off an incredible club season. The 24-year old defender is coming off of back-to-back Champions League titles with Paris Saint-Germain. He’s a key piece for Ecuador to go far in the World Cup.
“They (fans) show love for their national team and for their country,” Franco said. “The love that they give us is the same love that we want to share with them. It has to be a two-way street.”
It’s all business for La Tri when they face Curaçao. After an opening defeat to the Ivory Coast, the team has to find a result. The team knows it and it all starts with them, coach Sebastián Beccacece said.
“This group not only loves each other, but also, their country,” Beccacece said. “Tomorrow, they will play thinking of the people that will come to encourage them.”
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Willian Pacho mural erected before Ecuador vs Curçao World Cup match
Continue reading...
Ecuador are taking on Curaço in the second match of group play at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 20 in Kansas City.
Local Kansas Citians wanted to welcome the team.
World Cup: Dick Advocaat all jokes in build-up to Curaçao vs Ecuador game
Downtown restaurant Senorita Margarita dedicated its exterior to Ecuador deender Willian Pacho.
The restaurant created a mural of Pacho alongside the mural of Argentina’s Lionel Messi. The image is dedicated to two of the most notable players competing in Kansas City during the World Cup.
“That’s lovely,” Alan Franco said during Friday’s press conference. “If they have something that has to do with Ecuador in that mural, that shows the love that we feel.”
According to Fox4 Kansas City, Ecuador in KC founder Paulina Tabares worked with artist MisterAlek and Jasmine Thompson, Señorita Margarita owner, for construction of the mural.
“We wanted to paint Willian Pacho because he has been winning a lot of championships,” artist MisterAlek said told Fox4. “We also realized that Argentina was going to be playing just a few days before, so we decided to do it for our brothers in South America.”
World Cup: Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul make MLS history together
¡EL MURAL DE WILLIAN PACHO!
La selección ecuatoriana jugará en Kansas City y uno de los grandes atractivos para los aficionados tricolores es el impresionante mural dedicado a Willian Pacho
Decenas de hinchas ecuatorianos ya se están reuniendo en el lugar para admirar… pic.twitter.com/987DLl9es0
— DobleCinco (@doble5ec) June 19, 2026
Pacho is coming off an incredible club season. The 24-year old defender is coming off of back-to-back Champions League titles with Paris Saint-Germain. He’s a key piece for Ecuador to go far in the World Cup.
“They (fans) show love for their national team and for their country,” Franco said. “The love that they give us is the same love that we want to share with them. It has to be a two-way street.”
It’s all business for La Tri when they face Curaçao. After an opening defeat to the Ivory Coast, the team has to find a result. The team knows it and it all starts with them, coach Sebastián Beccacece said.
“This group not only loves each other, but also, their country,” Beccacece said. “Tomorrow, they will play thinking of the people that will come to encourage them.”
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Willian Pacho mural erected before Ecuador vs Curçao World Cup match
Continue reading...
