Los Angeles has a special place in the World Cup soccer scenes. Special as this city is. That's why diversity. In each celebration of the largest sports festival in the world, all countries are represented. First, those from Latin America. There are the pickups carrying gigantic flags of the country of origin. Other flags hang from the balconies. Sometimes, they are what they call “this country”, the United States, which has given us identity and growth. They are not enough. And in noisy restaurants, where not even a pin can fit, people watch the game with their hearts in their mouths. Then comes the celebration or funeral comparison. Depends.

All this separates us. It atomizes us by national teams, for a few weeks. But it also brings us together.

To stimulate community spirit, to celebrate soccer with family and friends even if they are from the other team, COFEM, the Council of Mexican Federations in North America, with the support of other community organizations are organizing “El Mundialito, la Copita Mundial”, aimed especially at the city's Latino immigrant community.

“It creates a local space of inclusion, unity and a sense of belonging,” explains the organization. It will be a community tournament, where boys and girls will play under the uniforms of the different national teams. They promise 16 or more teams of children ages 7 to 12 and some of adults. In addition to access to the green space, there will be “a resource fair on immigration, health, the environment and youth development.”

So we can celebrate. The World Cup, and the Mundialito here in Los Angeles.

It will be this Saturday, June 6, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Río de Los Angeles State Park, 1900 N. San Fernando Road, LA 90065. Free. More information at 213 417-8390.