The World Cup countries with ties to three Braves players are so far 3-0 in group play of the international soccer tournament in Brazil.
Colombia, the native country of right-hander Julio Teheran, defeated Greece 3-0 on Saturday. The Netherlands’ 5-1 victory over Spain on Friday pleased shortstop Andrelton Simmons, a native of Curacao (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands). Mexico, infielder Ramiro Pena’s homeland, opened with a 1-0 victory against Cameroon on Friday.
Teheran said he played soccer as a schoolboy before concentrating on baseball. Asked his soccer position, Teheran said: “The one who makes all the goals.”
The Braves have a World Cup pool but Teheran ended up with Honduras while a team staffer got Colombia.
“I tried to buy it from him but he didn’t want to do it,” Teheran said.
Teheran said it’s not just the players who hail from countries where soccer is the No. 1 sport who are into the World Cup.
“Even the Americans, I am surprised they have been watching the games,” he said. “That’s something I have never seen before here.”
The U.S. opens World Cup play against Ghana on Monday.
