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Henry Ford’s miniature America in the jungle attracted a slew of workers. Local laborers were offered a wage of thirty-seven cents a day to work on the fields of Fordlândia, which was about double the normal rate for that line of work. But Ford’s effort to transplant America– what he called “the healthy lifestyle”– was not limited to American buildings, but also included mandatory “American” lifestyle and values. The plantation’s cafeterias were self-serve, which was not the local custom, and they provided only American fare such as hamburgers. Workers had to live in American-style houses, and they were each assigned a number which they had to wear on a badge– the cost of which was deducted from their first paycheck. Brazilian laborers were also required to attend squeaky-clean American festivities on weekends, such as poetry readings, square-dancing, and English-language sing-alongs.

The hiring as head coach of Curt Onalfo, a former D.C. player, assistant coach, and director of youth development, was hailed at a Tuesday press conference as confirmation of the club’s Hispanic persona as well as its ambition. Onalfo speaks fluent Spanish, played professionally in Mexico, and as a cancer survivor has conquered tough opposition on a very personal level.

Three years spent as an assistant coach with the U.S. national team and former D.C. coach Bruce Arena certainly doesn’t hurt.