Mexico! The last of the great football nations never to have won the Cup. They haven’t even come close—well, except for two quarter-final appearances in 1970 and 1986, both times when the tournament was held in Mexico—which may bode well for this time.
In my experience, Mexicans are among the most fanatical football fans in the world. I remember encountering a plane load of them en route to Qatar four years ago. I’d say they even surpassed the Brazilians in energy and enthusiasm, and that is saying something.
And, before my limbs finally gave out, I played with many Mexicans who were incredibly fit and possessed exceptional ball skills. “Solo!” they would shout when they went it alone to take a speculative shot or set off on another mazy run. Sadly, the end result of the shot or run was frequently disappointment. Mexican players seem to place value on flair over results, and I have often wondered if that may be one reason for their lack of World Cup success. Too much solo and too little team. What do I know?
So, certain of Mexico’s love of the game, it was to those fans that I looked to salve my disenchantment at the apparent lack of interest in the World Cup in these parts. In fact, so far, the only random World Cup conversation I’ve had—one of my favourite aspects of the tournament—was with an aficionado del Tri whom I bumped into on the monorail at San Francisco Airport yesterday. He was on his way to the Azteca for Mexico’s opening match against South Africa and was bubbling with excitement, a broad smile spread across his face.
Earlier in the day, at our factory, I noticed a flyer on the noticeboard announcing a watch party in the office for the big game. We employ a lot of Latino workers and, like pretty much the whole world for the next six weeks, it’s better to facilitate a couple of hours away from work for the match than have them call in sick!
It was the wee flyer that gave me the idea for my game plan on World Cup Day, the opening of the tournament. I had originally planned to watch it with the less-than-enthusiastic staff and regulars at my local bar. But wait… there are a lot of Mexicans in Indianapolis too. They surely must be gathering somewhere for a watch party. So that was the plan: find out where they were meeting and join what was certain to be a lively celebration.
I called a couple of Mexican people I know to ask where I could find the football fiesta and was surprised to discover that they had no idea. They suggested a couple of local restaurants I might want to try. I called them to ask if they had any special plans for the game.
“No. But we do offer $3 Coronas and $5 tacos on a Thursday afternoon.”
I became concerned but, undeterred, decided to jump in the car and drive around town past the many little Mexican restaurants, and listen for the roar of the crowd.
There was no roar.
The first two bars were completely empty, save for a maître d’ with limited English who couldn’t really discuss the game. I did, however, note that these places looked very authentic—likely where the real Mexicans eat, if not watch football.
I was more hopeful for the third restaurant, where we’d spent a rather raucous Cinco de Mayo this year. But no. Apart from a couple of people sitting at the counter and paying no attention to the muted game on the TV, the place was deserted. At least the hostess spoke good English, and at least she was wearing a Mexico shirt. She seemed as surprised as I was that nobody was watching.
“Too busy working,” she speculated.
In my experience, Mexicans are indeed extremely diligent workers. Not for them, apparently, to throw a sickie to watch a football match.
I had a little more success at bar number four. To be honest, it was a little more upscale—the kind of place where the boss could slink off to watch the game even if his workers couldn’t. The TVs were on, the sound was up, and a lively crowd of thirty or so had gathered, with more arriving as the first half wore on. It actually started to feel like a World Cup.
I tried to persuade my buddies at my local to give up their regular bar stools and come join the… fiesta. I was unfamiliar with the expression, “Negative, Ghost Rider. The pattern is full,” – apparently it means a firm no.
So, at half-time, with Mexico 1–0 up thanks to a horrible defensive error by S Africa, I left the little Mexican party I’d worked so hard to find and headed back to my own regular bar stool for the second half.
I hopped around so much that I didn’t actually watch much of the game. From what I saw, Mexico totally dominated South Africa—they had 16 shots to South Africa’s 3—playing some nice football but failing to take their chances. Mexico did, however, lose the red-card contest, having only one player sent off to South Africa’s two. Three red cards in one game: sadly a record for a World Cup opener, and more sadly the highlight of the match.
I feel this is a bad result for Mexico. This group, which also includes S. Korea and Czechia is pretty open and progression could come down to goal difference. To score only 2 against S. Africa , especially when they were down to 9 men at the end, is a missed opportunity. Mexico won’t surpass their previous best World Cup like that! Although Argentina lost their opening game to Saudi Arabia last time round, and that worked out ok for them
For me, the biggest shock has been the lack of interest—or even awareness—that the World Cup is taking place here. Even the Mexicans, some of the most passionate fans on the planet, don’t seem to care.
I know our beautiful game is competing for airtime with the NBA Finals and baseball season, and to be fair there is plenty of Cup coverage if you take the time to look for it. Fox has the rights to the World Cup in the USA and so, naturally, the other networks barely mention it for fear of hurting ratings for their own sports.
Perhaps enthusiasm will increase as the tournament progresses, especially if Team USA overperforms. Here in Indianapolis, it’s as quiet as a damp Fourth of July squib. But I’m optimistic the Cup can really commence when we join the Tartan Army tomorrow in Boston!
What! Scotland Qualified!!! 