Re: [nas] Azteca Pilgrimege

Steve captured this very nicely.

He was fortunately like I was to go with Mexican friends. I'd love to 
hear stories of Sammers who've gone as a group.

Cheers, Chris


On 8 Sep 2008 at 22:17, Krall, Stephen E wrote:

> And mine - as I was there too in 97....fantastic trip, highly
> recommended.
> 
> Steve
> =======
> Hey all,
> 
> It was an encouraging result, one that I won't rehash.....
> 
> Instead, I'd like to give my feelings/experiences of being fortunate
> enough to attend the US-Mexico game.  Not only was it my first game in
> Mexico (of course), it was also my first Cap.
> 
> Note to Chris Allen - I hope you got to make it!!
> 
> I hardly slept Saturday night, even though I was dog-tired from flying
> to Mexico early Saturday, and staying out late that night with the
> people I'd be working with.  The Day of the Dead celebrations lasted
> long into the night.
> 
> Sunday morning arrived, and a quick breakfast at 9:15 had us ready to
> go to the Stadium by 9:30 (12:00pm kickoff).  In all, there were 9 in
> our group - 4 Americans, 4 Mexicans, and a Columbian.  The drive down
> was a, uh, interesting one.  Almost every other car on the road had a
> passenger flying a Mexican flag out window.  The roads were packed,
> and horns were blowing in a celebretory manner.  I ended up in the
> Spanish-speaking car among our group, and mis compadres were pretty
> surprised at my enthusiasm for the game.  Ironically, one asked me
> about Jeff Agoos, and I only shook my head, claiming he was a
> disaster.  After finding a place to park, we started our walk down the
> streets to the Stadium.  
> 
> Vendors everywhere sold Mexican flags, horns, and other assorted
> trinkets bearing the familiar colors of El Tri.
> 
> The street was typical Mexico, and the neighborhood was pretty dirty -
> the traffic jam was incredible.  Finally, we turned a corner, and from
> a packed parking lot, there it was - Estadio Azteca.  Magnificent and
> beautiful were the first words that came to my mind.  By this point, I
> had a goofy grin on my face walking towards the Estadio.
> 
> I've been to many football games, and have done some pretty good
> tailgating before Cleveland Browns games, but this scene blew the
> doors off that.  People were everywhere, chanting, dancing, singing,
> and drinking.  My boss wanted us to take in Mexican culture while in
> the city, and this WAS Mexico.
> 
> An hour before the match began, we were still outside, and could hear
> the raucous noise already coming within the Estadio.  Finally
> inside......
> 
> The tunnels were dark and dank.  The Stadium, built in the 60's, has
> not been upgraded/renovated too much.  I wondered if it had actually
> ever been cleaned.  Our tickets were in the lowest section, down on
> the field level.  But that's about it - from there, it's General
> Admission, take your seats where you can find them.  
> 
> My first glimpse coming out of the tunnel to the aisleway overwhelmed
> me.  It was already packed with well over 100,000 people.  The energy
> overflowed like boiling water, and the emotion was hot and thick.
> Mexican flags flew everywhere.  I couldn't believe how enormous the
> stadium was.
> 
> Up to the seats, and my first look at the full crowd and the pitch.
> Tres palabras: THIS IS FUTBOL.
> 
> The crowd was standing and singing and dancing, and our little band
> made our way behind one of the goals - where all the action took
> place.  Ah, cement seats and metal railings...
> 
> The PA announcer was barely audible, though I found it quite
> interesting that he said "Bienvenidos a El Estadio Azteca" given the
> name change.....oh well.
> 
> 15 minutes before the game, and the Estadio was simply a cauldron of
> emotion.  It would be hard not to be moved by this site.  Mexico.  A
> national holiday.  The national team.  Estadio Azteca.  Against their
> bitter rivals.
> 
> I've often taken the US National Anthem for granted at sporting
> events, but hearing the Mexican anthem, with 115,000 people all
> singing was very moving.  They played a recorded US anthem afterwards
> which was completely drowned out.  Fireworks exploded inside.  Huge
> flags covering whole sections were unveiled and the match I've been
> waiting for 4 months finally began.
> 
> A frantic first half peaked when Agoos collected the red card, for no
> apparent reason from our vantage point.  The Mexican fans sensed real
> blood when he had to walk off the field, right in front of us, where
> the players entered.  Let the shredding of Estadios Unidos begin....
> 
> A minute later, Dooley ?, unleashed a shot the hit the bar, and
> trickled, in what seemed like slow motion across the open goal.  I
> held my breath waiting and hoping a US player would drive it home. 
> That seemed to scare the Mexican fans a little bit.......
> 
> Afterwards, it felt like the US simply gave up on winning, which is
> hard to criticize, and allowed the Mexicans to press forward.
> 
> Mexico Mexico!
> RAH! RAH! RAH!
> 
> ......was the chant.
> 
> Fast forward to 10 minutes left in the game, and the Mexicans are
> furiously whistling shots past the goal, almost into our lap, and I'm
> <very quietly> praying for the ref to end the game.  The site of
> Friedal holding his head after the header missed by 6 inches to the
> left told you all you needed to know...
> 
> Fuera Bora! Fuera Bora!
> 
> All in all, the fans were very well behaved, and I got pretty good
> treatment from the people around me.  We joked with each other - it
> helped that I thought the US would get drilled 4-0.  It was almost
> like a funeral procession on the way out. A couple people I didn't
> know said "you're welcome for the point", and I just shrugged my
> shoulders.
> 
> In a sadistic way, I almost wish Mexico had scored in those closing
> minutes, just to experience what that was like.
> 
> A very good day - I got a Mexican team jersey for $5 from a vender,
> and a silly green inflatable hat upon entering the stadium.  I HIGHLY
> recommend anyone who has a chance to go to Azteca to do so.  We were
> treated well, and I was pleasantly surprised with how non-violent the
> energy was.
> 
> I'm supposed to fly back to Ohio on Friday night, but I'm
> contemplating staying till Sunday night to try and catch the Mex-CR
> match at Azteca (yeah, I know I'll miss US-Can.....but hey.....)
> 
> Anybody else who was lucky enough to be there, please share your
> experience!!
> ---
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> 

-
Chris Allen
c.s.allen@comcast.net
-
Sam's Army: 29 Caps (23 Men, 6 Women)

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