Red, White, And…BOO!

This past Saturday, the U.S.A. soccer team hosted Mexico in a Gold Cup final. After taking a commanding 2-0 lead, the U.S. would go on to surrender four unanswered goals, losing to Mexico, 4-2. The U.S. had beaten Mexico five times in the past ten years.

The colossal meltdown by the Americans was not what stood out most to me or many other casual soccer observers. The Los Angeles Coliseum crowd appeared, by many accounts, to be at least 75% supporters of Mexico. Soccer is a fringe sport among spectators in the United States, so this is not entirely surprising to me. What I did find surprising, and appalling, were the numerous reports of Mexico soccer fans harassing and taunting American fans in an American stadium. In addition, the sounds of Mexico fans booing and jeering at American players (audible to television viewers), in an American stadium, was quite unsettling.

Old Glory is surrounded by a sea of red, white, and green. 1

I have no problem with Mexican fans coming here, spending money and rooting for their team. I have no problem with Mexicans living in America on a Visa rooting for their team. I have no problem with 1st, 2nd, or other newer generation people of Mexican descent, born in the United States, rooting for the Mexican team like their elders do. Frankly, unlike, Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper who launched a profanity-laden tirade over the post game ceremony being conducted in Spanish, I don't even have a problem with the victory ceremony being in the native language of the winning team.

I take issue with fans that are either from another country or supporting the team of another country going into a stadium in Los Angeles, calling American players and fans what translates to "jackass" and booing like philistines. Too many of the Mexico fans acted like they were in their own country when, in fact, their team is being hosted. Those behaving as such, from Mexico, were bad guests and those residing in the United States, but supporting the Mexican team in a similar manner, set a very poor example of sportsmanlike behavior in America.

Next time the Mexico soccer team is in the United States, I hope that as many fans buy tickets and enjoy the event as possible, regardless of origin. I hope that the level of sportsmanship is raised by the visiting fans. I hope that Mexican-American fans demonstrate little tolerance for the behavior of rude guests. Last, I hope the Americans kick the Mexicans’ butts next time! God bless America!

A U.S. victory will silence even the loudest Mexico fans. 2

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1,2) Images from latimes.com