The 1,900-Kilometer Journey of Ecuadorian Fans from New York to Kansas is Pure Tricolor Love | El Comercio (EC) | Each kilometer between New York and Kansas, to experience the Tricolor's World Cup fervor in the 2026 World Cup, is an act of love for Ecuadorian identity, for the passion of football. Ecuador will play Curacao this Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Kansas City. Ecuadorians living in New York are already traveling by car, train, and bus to support La Tri with unwavering pride. Amidst Tricolor flags and jerseys, a group of compatriots defies North American geography to cheer on the national team in its second Group E match. More News Piero Hincapié and Aura de la Cruz's breakup shakes up the 2026 World Cup The records Cristiano Ronaldo pursues with Portugal in the 2026 World Cup Keys for Ecuador to beat Curacao and stay alive in the World Cup More than 1,900 kilometers for La Tri The Ecuadorian National Team is preparing for its match against Curacao. Supporting the team live involves solving a complex logistical and financial dilemma from the East Coast of the USA. The transportation alternatives to connect New York with Kansas reflect very diverse realities. While a direct flight takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes, its cost can approach $600 per passenger. Faced with these figures, the road became the chosen option to take care of the family budget. The train journey via the Amtrak network or the bus trip requires between 30 and 34 hours of continuous travel. Evaluating the variables, the group opted to undertake an adventure in a private car. This alternative represents an estimated expense of between $250 and $400 in fuel. To ensure a calm and, above all, safe transfer, the travelers set their departure for Tuesday, June 16, in the evening. The shortest route between Kansas City and New York covers an exact distance of 1,956.69 kilometers. This road trip requires approximately 20 to 21 hours of uninterrupted driving behind the wheel. Shirley González's parachute-less adventure For some, meticulous planning takes a backseat when love for the jersey takes precedence. Shirley González embarked on this more than 20-hour road trip with a mindset focused on the lived experience. “It's a leap without a parachute,” Shirley comments, describing her decision to travel with two close friends. This journey represents an adventure with good forecasts, and she fully trusts a positive outcome for the national team. The travel group marks a special reunion, as they are the same companions with whom she shared the experience in the Qatar World Cup. “When you live World Cup experiences, you don't want to stop,” she assures enthusiastically. Jeison Albarracín: Cuenca roots at the wheel The physical effort of the first night of driving was in charge of Jeison Albarracín, who took control of the vehicle during the initial stretch of the early morning while his companions rested. “I wanted to do the trip as a way to get to know and, as b | Src: El Comercio (EC) | article_type: feature

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.