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

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

[1rudeboy]

Small point, but can you cite to a news source that claims Mexicans doused the US players with urine? My understanding is that the urine-throwing incident happened in Costa Rica (and the Costa Rican Soccer Federation was fined by FIFA). Mexican soccer fans have a little more class . . . .

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

OK. Are you bothered when the US players are doused with urine? When the Star Spangled Banner is booed? When Old Glory is desecrated? Of course you are.

Yes, but bad sportmanship reflects more on the poor sport than his targets. I'd be more bothered and ashamed if I were Mexican. I cannot imagine that it would enhance my self-esteem or national pride to desecrate any other nation's flag. I'll boo the Yankees, sure, but I won't shame myself by spitting at their fans.

[luvbach1]

In citing urine tossing along with other outrages I possibly was guilty of creating a composite. I considered it characteristic of behavior. I did hear that it also occured in Los Angeles, but I could be wrong. AS you say, it is a small point where it happened. The real point is that urine tossing is definitely in character for Mexican fans.