Los Angeles Times

Angel Rodriguez: Las viejitas, Landon Donovan and the joys of the World Cup

United States midfielder Landon Donovan celebrates his goal with teammate Edson Buddle during a group match in the World Cup against Algeria on June 23, 2010, at Loftus Verfeld stadium in Tshwane/ Pretoria.

LOS ANGELES — From watching highlights of Pele in 1970 on an old projector to staying up late to watch the U.S. qualify in 1990 on a Paul Caliguiri goal, my household has always made a big deal about the World Cup.

My grandfather was my connection to soccer. He was born in the Canary Islands, and at an early age, he boarded a ship bound for Argentina to play balompié,

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