In a message dated 6/1/04 8:58:22 PM, popeye_mb@hotmail.com writes:
Robert,
Hi. You seem to know a lot about mexican league football. I just started
following in earnest at the end of last year's clausura. I have more and
more mexican friends. Some of them are real fanatics and some don't give a
hoot about any team anywhere (makes me wonder where MLS will get this 'plan'
to attract hispanics, but I digress). According to informal surveys ,my magazine, Futbol Mundial (www.futbolmundialusa.com) ,around 90% of our readers -which are 99% Hispanic- follow MLS which is encouraging. I saw something over the weekend which made me very happy, in the L.A. Galaxy win over Dallas, when Sasha Victorine score his goal he went to the end stands where he was met by one of the Galaxy's Mexican (I pressume) followers (he has a mexican team uniform with Tecate splashed across the back) and give him a huge hug. It was great to see. I really think that not all Mexicans will default to Chivas USA when they come stateside.
Anyway, my spanish is so-so, but I work at it everyday. But some things I
just can't catch. For instance, when America played Toluca on Sunday night
at Azteca, the stadium was deserted. I mean empty. The only noises were from
the vendors who had nothing to do. It was amazing to see that. I tried to
pick up from the broadcast why no supporters were there, but either they
didn't say so specifically or I just can't pick it up. And I read a piece on
espndeportes.com about it but all I got out of it was that the fans were not
expecting a good game and so stayed away. That just would never happen here,
I don't think. Somebody would show up. Somebody. But these two teams played
to empty seats only. So I just wonder what I missing and I thought I could
ask this once for your help. America was punished by Conmebol and the Mexican Football Federation for the field invasion of their supports during a Copa Libertadores game with Sao Caetano. It was real ugly. That's why the played to an empty stadium.
Do you know is there a mailing list like this one for mexican or maybe
central american football that I could join? Try Big Soccer. They seem to have everything covered.
Just one more thing. How many
teams are from the Mexico City area? I think Guadalajara has 3 teams:
Chivas, Tecos and Atlas. and the other teams pretty much I can figure out
where they're from by the name but some I can't. Anyway, if you have a spare
minute for that question. America, Pumas de la UNAM, Atlante (which is looking to move to Acapulco), and Cruz Azul. Necaxa (my team) used to play in Mexico City but they moved last year to Aguascalientes about 300 miles North. Toros Neza was relegated two years ago but disbanded instead of playing in Primera A (Second division)
FWIW, I though Atlante got jobbed by the referee Saturday night and that
Chivas really didn't deserve the victory. I guess I'm not a real Chivas fan
if I feel that way, but that's how I saw it. No wonder there was a bruhaha
when the final whistle blew. That referee should have beat feet to the
dressing room. I didn't see the game but I heard on 'Acción' (on Galavisión) that Atlante was robbed.
Thanks,
MikeB,StL,Mo