Scenes From The Tailgate Border Fence At The Epic U.S.-Mexico Soccer Game
The politics of soccer, it turns out, are much more unifying than the politics of politics.
Rafa Fernandez De Castro— Fusion
PASADENA, California —“This is your land ... But it is my home,” Mexican soccer player Miguel Layún tweeted Saturday night.
Advertisement
It was an exclamation point on a 3-2 Mexico victory over the United States in an epic soccer match at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl -- a game that will go down as one of the most memorable in the historic rivalry between the two countries.
In many ways it felt like a Mexican home game.
“This is an extension of Mexico,” I overheard one U.S. fan say as he looked around and noticed his team’s fans were clearly outnumbered by those dressed in green jerseys.
Both teams and their respective fans gave an electrifying performance, one that echoed heritage, politics, and other issues between the United States and Mexico.
Advertisement
It was impossible to miss the symbolism. Prior to the match a “border fence” separating the two countries’ tailgate parties held a sign informing Mexican fans: “This Area Is For U.S. Fans Only.” Many Mexican fans attempted to cross the U.S. fan zone fence line, and some even got pushy with security.
Mexican and U.S. fans congregated at the fence to taunt each other. “I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!” sang those covered in American flag paraphernalia. The chants were peppered with occasional slurs like beaners or pinches gringos, but it was mostly good-natured. No one was shot, arrested or deported.
Overall the scene at the U.S.- Mexico tailgate border fence was mostly one of camaraderie.
The politics of soccer, it turns out, are much more unifying than the politics of politics. It even brought Captain America together with an Aztec warrior for a photo and a handshake.
Advertisement
It was also a border that celebrated bicultural folklore, while mocking characters that have come to symbolize intolerance. Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump was present in the form of signs, piñatas, helmets and masks.
It was also a chance for U.S. fans to challenge Mexicans on their own “hateful” language.
“I have proud Mexican roots but what bothers me about these games, is people who come here claiming Donald Trump is this devil and then use the same bigoted language by screaming puto,” U.S. fan Baltazar Rodriguez, who was born in Los Angeles but whose parents are from Mexico City, told Fusion.
Mexican fans are known worldwide for screaming puto -- a slur for homosexual -- at other fans and players. The time-old issue caused some controversy during last year’s World Cup.
Advertisement
Mexican fans say screaming puto is more like saying “coward” or someones who le faltan huevos -- lacks balls.
“That’s why I root for the U.S., guey,” Baltazar says in Spanglish. “Because my patria accepts individuality. I’m not from here or from there, but which country accepts those who are neither from here or there? This one.”
Some Mexican fans came to the game with a much more serious message.
“We come here to support the 43 missing students,” says Mario Alberto Alvarez, who held a sign accusing the Mexican and U.S. governments of turning a blind eye to the drug war violence ravishing Mexico. “We came to raise awareness for this cause not to watch the Mexican national soccer team play.”
Advertisement
Inside the stadium, there was more striking imagery; from the Mexican fans rolling out a massive flag featuring Pancho Villa, the popular Mexican revolutionary who once invaded the United States, to smoke bombs that covered the Rose Bowl in a green and red haze.
After the match, the politics continued via memes and Gifs making the rounds on social media, mocking Trump and outspoken U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan.
But at the Rose Bowl it all seemed to have been left on the field, as the ecstatic Mexican fans and the long-faced U.S. fans exited the stadium and walked together into a parking lot that had just dismantled a border fence that wasn’t needed.
Also on WorldPost:
Protests For The Missing Mexican Students
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.