World Cup Fever Hits the Southwest!

The excitement and emotion of the recent FIFA World Cup made my husband Wayne and me hungry to hear the cry of  GOL....... in person.  The Chivas of Guadalajara, Mexico were meeting the Cruzeiros of Belo Horizonte, Brazil in a friendly match at the El Paso Sun Bowl Stadium last Sunday.  We wanted to experience soccer as a fan in the stands rather than just in front of the TV.

Neither of us had the proper fan attire to support either team, so we chose to wear colors that at least wouldn't get us in trouble.  There are many dire tales floating around about the passion of soccer fans!

The striped attire of Chivas supporters

I had been told many years ago in Mexico City that females were not welcome at soccer matches. Thank goodness times have changed.  There were fans of all genders, ages and ethnicities.

Crowd entering stadium

Temporary grass had been laid on top of the artificial turf in the Sun Bowl.   It was taking quite a few helpers to keep it watered until game time.

Serious grass watering!

Wayne was not impressed with my suggestion that he could help me water our outside plants every day by carrying the hose like that for me.

The teams lined up on the field for the start of the game, Chivas in red stripes and Cruzeiros in blue.

Chivas and Cruzeiros

Contrary to our fears (or at least mine), the crowd was very pleasant.  Even a few quick rain showers during the evening didn't dampen enthusiasm for the match.  Maybe the large quantities of kettle corn, hot dogs, nachos, and beer being consumed had a hand in that.

Crowd enjoying game

The only evidence of typical fan behavior happened every time the Cruzeiros goal keeper kicked the ball back down the field.  The Chivas fans stood up, fluttered their hands, and as he kicked the ball, yelled a word in Spanish that I, as an ex-Spanish teacher, wouldn't allow in my high school classroom.   The word must not be considered too shocking nowadays because FIFA ruled it as non-discriminatory.  So we stood up, fluttered out hands, and yelled it too.  When in Rome...

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The match itself, being a friendly game, was fairly calm.  The fans provided much entertainment though.

Chivas fan

There has been talk of building a soccer stadium in El Paso.  What fun that would be for area fans of fútbol!