U.S.-Mexico World Cup Match Sparks Identity Crisis for Immigrant Fans

AP | June 15, 2002 | Daisy Nguyn, AP Staff Writer

[Pistol]

Sunday, June 16

       

U.S.-Mexico World Cup Match Sparks Identity Crisis for Immigrant Fans

By Daisy Nguyen Associated Press Writer

Published: Jun 15, 2002 LOS ANGELES (AP) - Whenever Mexico plays a World Cup match, it's like a national holiday for natives of that country.

But Mexico's upcoming game against the United States has created an identity crisis for Mexicans living in this country.

"This is like having two family members fighting," said Jose Resendiz, 50, who came to East Los Angeles in 1969 from the Mexican state of Aguas Calientes. "It's upsetting. I'd rather have Mexico eliminate somebody else."

The game, to be played Monday at Jeonju, South Korea, has the two teams competing to become one of the final eight in the tournament.

The fan conflict isn't isolated to California. In Arizona, the match pits family members against each other. And at an Immigration and Naturalization Service detention center in Texas, authorities plan to bend the rules and allow inmates - many from Mexico - to watch the game.

Storefronts, sidewalks and cars in East Los Angeles are decorated in green, white and red - the colors of the Mexican flag.

At a parade Friday in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the Lakers third consecutive NBA title, many people carried a flag in each hand - one for the Lakers, the other for Mexico.

"We're U.S. fans but we're Mexican fans first," said Jorge Magdaleno, a U.S. resident for 20 years. "We've got to stay true to the homeland. The U.S. pays the bills, but our true roots are still in Mexico." Adrian Rodriguez, a shoe store manager in Phoenix, said he'll be in the minority when he watches the game.

"All of my friends support Mexico, and I'll be the only one for the U.S., so it won't be a pretty sight," Rodriguez said. "My loyalties lie with this country, even if my wife doesn't like it."

Divided loyalties are particularly strong in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.

"I hate this match," said 28-year-old Maria Maldonado in Brownsville. "My whole family's from Mexico, but then again, I live here."

Officials at an INS detention center near Brownsville plan to stretch television viewing hours so inmates can watch the game Monday.

Security guard David Valdez said 90 percent of the inmates are rooting for Mexico, even those from other Central and South American countries.

"It's a Latin thing," Valdez said. "Soccer is more of a Mexican sport, that's why I think they're going to win."

Both U.S. and Mexican flags hang outside the Los Angeles pet store owned by Julio Cesar.

"My roots are Mexican, but I was born in the United States," said Cesar. "I have feelings for both countries, and I won't be disappointed if the U.S. and Mexican teams tie."

Still, when the game begins, he'll be rooting for Mexico.

"When Mexico loses a game, it's like a death in the family," he said. "I don't want to mourn.

[Pistol]

Italics mine.

[Weimdog]

I've heard rumors that the US Mens National team won't play Mexico, or any other Central American team in Southern California after Mexican supporters roundly booed and spit on the American players before a "friendly" match. Imagine the home team getting spit on. Thats Mexican gratitude for ya!

[danielobvt]

As a long time US Soccer fan, this does not suprise me. Its almost impossible to get a home field advantage here in the US. And even when we try to rig it so that at least we have the crowds closest to the field be a US majority, we get sued. This article really angers me.

[bok]

Americanpatrol.com repots on the 1998 US-Mexico soccer match.

Mexicans attack Americans at Soccer Game

Some Mexicans are torn others not and won't be be cheering on the US national team in Orange County

Martinez claims discrimination in ticket sales

[monkeyshine]

Is it any worse than a Cubs fan at Dodger Stadium? I disapprove of spitting and fighting that seems common with soccer, but I don't see it as wholly a patriotism issue. People of Mexican roots may have grown up as a kid following soccer and rooting for the home team. It's only natural that their affinities will lie with their childhood team. Just because you move from one city to another doesn't mean you have to renounce your favorite team, does it?

Of course, I am rooting for the USA, and I was happy to see another European team go down in defeat last night (Senegal 2, Sweden 1 in overtime). I would like to see USA vs Senegal in the finals. Senegal has a very wierd offensive strategy, but it seems to be working.

[Ipse Dixit]

"We're U.S. fans but we're Mexican fans first," said Jorge Magdaleno, a U.S. resident for 20 years. "We've got to stay true to the homeland. The U.S. pays the bills, but our true roots are still in Mexico."

Ah, yes. Just another humble immigrant from Old Mexico, truly grateful for the many, fruitful blessings that his adopted country ... the very freedoms and opportunities he could not have had had he chosen to stay in his native land ... has bestowed upon him. But when the time of choosing comes, he knows to whom he owes his true allegiance, the "homeland." Well, Viva la raza, old buddy. < /sarcasm>

[bok]

Crucial Game Against the U.S. Means the World to Mexicans "If we win, Mexicans will be going bananas and yelling all over the place, like, 'Oh, my God, we have reconquered Texas and New Mexico and California!' " Mena said. "It's a vicarious way of achieving an illusion...

I just love this one from the LA Times.

[Thebaddog]

There is no issue here as I see it. They are Mexicans. The address is just an inconvenience.

[Dutchy]

Don't kid yourselves, you know you they'll be rooting for!!!

[F16Fighter]

One wonders where alligances of Mexican nationals who copped U.S. citizenship would lie in case of war??

[lentulusgracchus]

Depends on who the opposition is.....if it's anyone who speaks Spanish, we've got a big problem.

[MassMinuteman]

"I'd rather have Mexico eliminate somebody else."

Tell us how you really feel buddy.

[CatoRenasci]

Actually, we should just see who supports Mexico over the US and send all of those who do back to Mexico.

[Phillip Augustus]

Out of curiosity, why would you be happy to see a European team lose?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

You should have seen what is was like when Ireland played the USA in an exhibition game in Foxboro Stadium. People who had one great-great-grandparent from Ireland were more Irish than St. Patrick (actually the Pope's more Irish than St. Patrick).

I figured the headline was about American-born WASPs living in Mexico. As to people with one Mexican great-great-grandparent living in the USA, who are more Mexican than Montezuma, there's no doubt in my mind who they'll be rooting for.

[dfwgator]

You could write similar stories about Italian, Polish and Irish Americans when the US plays those teams. Soccer is a passion in those countries, it is a link to the "old country" for Americans of those persuasions. Face it, soccer in the US doesn't bring out that kind of passion, it is not part of our tradition. That's just the way it is.

[monkeyshine]

I'm not too pleased with their stance on world affairs of late. I'd rather see Senegal win, or Japan or Mexico even if it can't be the USA. Last world cup I was rooting for France once the USA lost. This year I've decided to be anti-European. In that sense January can't come soon enough for me :-)

Anwway, with the EU taking effect, why aren't they only allowed one team? Why can't the USA field 50 teams?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

My point exactly. I remember when I was a white private in the Army being shown kindness and consideration by Mexican-American and Black NCO's. I've come to think people treat you as you treat them. I don't want the country over-run by unassimilated Mexicans or Hindus or Chinese or any one else. But, I'm not bothered by the fact that Mexicans here root for Mexico in a soccer game.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Cripes, let 'em dilute their talent. BTW, the best players on the championship French team were Berbers, so Algeria was cheering, too.