This exchange just took place at Goode Company Texas BBQ here in Houston:
Restaurant employee (in Spanish): Who are you rooting for tomorrow, Mexico or USA?
Customer (in clear but very American accented Spanish: USA
Restaurant employee: Why would you root for USA? You’re Latino.
Customer: I grew up here and USA has beaten Mexico the last six times they played.
Restaurant employee: That’s no excuse.
Customer: Can I get my order to go?
Restaurant employee: No takeout for USA fans.
The light-hearted exchange is the kind that is taking place all over the United States today. What Mexican fans are starting to realize is that more and more Latinos who aren’t Mexican are now rooting for the United States. That’s what beating Mexico regularly will do for you.
And yes, I’m writing this from Goode Company Texas BBQ, where I just had lunch. It was recommended by readers and it definitely gets the SBI seal of approval. Of course now I’m going to need a nap before the United States press conference at 4pm local. No time for a nap unfortunately.
I’ll check back in after the festivities at Reliant Stadium so stay tuned.
I live a block from the stadium where the event will be held tomorrow and I’m not going because my wife bought me Dynamo season tickets (budget issues). Ives get me into the game I’ll be your bag boy!!!!!!!!!! š
haha well that’s interesting. This rivalry is pretty insane but it’s ridiculous too.
on other latinos not rooting for Mexico, it’s the same all over central & S. America. Why should they root for Mexico or any other country they weren’t born in. I don’t think i’ve ever met a Colombian rooting for Argentina or Brazil, and vice-versa. as a mexican-american, i never root for any other country other than the U.S. and Mexico. well except when they play against each other. i can’t choose one, it’s like choosing one of your parents over the other. i just can’t.
The Americans that didn’t care/support/know anything about Italian Football than celebrated the 2006 World Cup made me embarrased of my Italian background (I also have Irish background).
re: cbr
I was at that final in Giants Stadium and I made the EXACT same observation. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was awesome having all of that Latino/Hispanic support for the US.
gold cup final at giants stadium a few years after proves that theory that waitor had wrong..never had i seen so much latino/hispanic support for the USMNT.
it sounds cheesey and its been said a million times but thats what the USA is all about
This goes to byrons comment. Are you serious?! I’m guessing you don’t have many friends. If you pick ten Latinos in Houston at least half will be Mexican. Go dynamo!
As a Mexican American all I really care about is a good match. Most if not all central American countries root against Mexico because to them Mexico is the giant of soccer in the region and who doesn’t like to root for the underdog. Ives your gonna have a great time tomorrow. Best soccer atmosphere in the nation!
Adam R.,
Sounds the beginning of an affair or fling
that counter guy has the faultiest logic ever.
I don’t know many Guatemalans, but every single one hates Mexico with a passion (for reasons I won’t go into here)
It’s not like there are people of Hispanic descent on the US team as well; further solidifying that guys stupidity.
While at the USA-Canada gold cup semifinal last year, my friends and I sat next to two a lovely lady…probably in her late 30’s early 40’s, who was of latin decent. She told us she was Peruvian and had been in the US for 15 years and cheered her heart out for the US, and expressed her equal disdain for El Tri. She also ended up buying us several rounds of beers! š
I don’t think it’s a surprise that other Latinos don’t support Mexico. This has always been the case. Though I think the dislike can go both ways. Alot of Mexican fans I’ve met tend to dislike most South American fans because they feel they ride the coattails of Brazil and Argentina or talk about past achievements and use that as “proof” that their countries are better than Mexico at soccer. With my family being Peruvian and having worked and met with tons of South Americans throughout my life, i find that point hard to argue against.
I don’t know how many times my family members have brought up World Cups 70, 78, and 82 as proof that Peru is better than Mexico. I’ve even met Chileans that have used their semi final appearance in the 1962 World Cup as their claim to why Chile is better than Mexico. I think the only group of South Americans that I’ve ever encountered that has given props to Mexico have been Brazilians and some Ecuadorians. Usually saying they like the Mexicans’ fighting spirit and how they’re soccer has improved throughout the years.
But I think the most honest answer I ever got about Mexican soccer from a South American was from this older Colombian fellow I used to work with. I once asked him if he hated Mexican soccer like most South Americans do and he answered that he actually watched and enjoyed Mexican soccer and would watch league games every weekend, but he would do so with the mute button on because he couldn’t stand the Mexican media. He felt they were so prone to exaggerations and were so obnoxious, that it makes it easy to hate their team and their league because of it. Funny cause I’ve felt that way at times about US Nats games when people like Wynalda are in the booth.
Goode Company BBQ, Brotha!!!! That is the best, I told you. Nice one, I’m so jealous.
As a Mexican/American I root for the US and Mexico national teams but tend to root for the Mexican team whenever they play each other. Althought i do hate the Mexican arrogance on thier National team and don’t think they are as good as they make themselves look, I do find the Mexican style of soccer more attractive then the US and thats not saying much.
Oh how I miss Good Company BBQ and Texas style BBQ in general. I’ve lived in DC now for 13 years. If Ives had gone to the location on I-10 he could have walked over to Carters Country and picked up a 12 gauge at the same time. š
As a latino american, I cheer for the US no matter what country they are playing. I live here, I am a citizen and support USA. I am happy to see the US improving in soccer and I welcome all the new challenges for the USMNT. By the way I hope you ate before posting š
I guess for me there is a difference from just living in a place or actually taking allegiance/citizenship of a country. I do follow my native country’s soccer program but I root for the US. GO USA!
Houston is pretty diverse. I rarely run into someone who is from Mexico. But I know several from El Salvador, Bolivia, Honduras and Costa Rica. Growing up here I don’t remember playing soccer with someone of Mexican heritage. Plenty from central america and south america though. It surprises me that you had that conversation at Goode Co. Most people could care less about the Mexican Nat’l team. I was at the games, but during Superliga I heard the spanish commentators make the comment that they were surprised at the number of hispanics pulling for the Dynamo against Chivas Guadalajra. H-town’s a melting pot and I love it.
great to see other Salvadorans here. I was also born here but my parents came about 20 years ago. Whenever the us plays mexico we all go for usa. there’s nothing better than seeing the looks on the mexicans face after the game and hearing all the excuses they come up with.
brentmcd,
So you’re saying if I moved to England, by choice, I would be obligated to root for them? I don’t think so. We still have freedom of choice and everyone is free to root for whomever they wish. The fact that you live and work in a country does not make you obligated to cheer for their national team.
Hey Ives, where’s the background on Matt Pickens’s work permit? You’re leaving us Pickens and Guzan fans hanging here.
I am southamerican born. I will cheer up for the US tomorrow. BUT, I will celebrate more to “SOCCER” in the US. That is what I really cheer up for. And so, I also cheer up for MLS but I know at the team level we haven’t dont too well against Mexico.
Go US… go MLS … š
Helluva topic, guys.
As a Chivas USA fan, we have fellow season ticket holders that follow and support the MLS, but can’t cheer for the US. I think that is great in this land of opportunity and freedom, that everyone has a choice.
Having said that, Dale Estados Unidos!! Tu aficion es todas razas y colores! Extranjeros tambien!!
Customer should have responded: Why would you root for Mexico? You live here in the U.S. by choice, correct? Your paycheck is in dollars, is it not?
Posted by: brentmcd | February 05, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Last time i checked this is a sporting event. Who cares what TEAM they root for. I live in LA the City is full of transplants. Bunch of Boston Red Sox Fans,Yankee fans, Giants fans now,etc… You dont see people arguing why arent those people supporting the Dodgers, Lakers and Such. They live in LA, get paid in LA they owe it the city right? LOL
My Response would have been just because im hispanic doesnt mean i need to root for Mexico. Besides I was born Here this is my country. No need to get all political racial etc… to each their own they are practicing freedom, which is as american as apple pie.
By the way ive had incidents like this here in LA. All i say i I’m American. I root for the US.My parents were born in El Salvador met in Guadalajara. I was born in Guadlajara but came here at three years old. So my allegences will be to this country its the only home i know, my parents though root for El Salvador its where they grew up and such.
The only thing shocking about that exchange is that the US fan was not called a racist. I’m sure La Raza is working on that press release now.
its no picnic here in El Paso TX. I have always supported the USA and its the arrogance of the Mex. fans that makes people dislike them. Vamos USA.
I have had the good fortune to travel a lot.
My brother is an airline exce an dmy job is global.
A big sticking point for mnay Mexican fans when it comes to the US is our arrogance and feeling of superiority to them – non soccer level. Talking politics, we are th ebig bullies, etc, etc..
However, in the Americas, when it was found out I understood the game well, the support against Mexico, wihtout me bringing it up was overwhelming. Arrognace, superiority complex were the reaons.
Can someone say irony?
I guess it just depends whose shoes you are wearing at the time.
I’m not Latino (I’m English, Belgian, and Italian) but I’m living in Spain and I can proudly say…Viva los Estados Unidos! One of the things I love about the US is how many different cultures come here and all become American, lending different things to the American culture but creating one nation.
A couple of comments:
First, I agree with Felix to some degree–Mexico doesn’t deserve its air of superiority against the US. On the other hand, Mexico’s record against other good teams, especially South American teams, is far better than ours. I think an objective evaluation of CONCACAF would be that Mexico is just a bit better than the US, but that we have their number in the head-to-head. I also think it’s imperative that we try to play some games in Mexico, as well.
Second, I have a story to similar to Dominghosa’s. I live in Houston now, but spent the years 1996-2006 in LA. I went to the 98 Gold Cup final between US and Mexico. After the game the LA Times was full of articles and letters to the editor about the “treasonous” Mexican fans who greatly outnumbered (at least 9:1) the US fans. Of course, if they really cared about this fact they could have gone to the game and increased the number of US fans there. I *was* there, had a great time, and never was made to feel uncomfortable despite the fact that my friend and I wore our US jerseys, in a sea of green. Of far greater interest to me, though, was that while watching all the fans approaching the stadium before the game and leaving after I saw numerous families in which the father wore his Mexico jersey and other paraphanelia, while the children often had US flags painted on their faces. We shouldn’t worry about the parents not being US fans; they love their home country–it’s only natural. We should be working on making sure these children support *their* home country’s team.
Third, Ives Dave is right that their are great Chinese and Vietnamese out on Bellaire, but closer and more convenient is the Little Saigon area in midtown. Two of my favorites are Cali for Vietnamese/French sandwiches and Mai’s for more serious fare. Best of all, you can take the Metro Rail between there and Reliant Stadium.
I’m an American born Latin american (Colombia/Brasil) and I have never even though of cheering for Mexico…
I only root for Mexico when all the other Latin American countries (except Argentina and Brazil) have been eliminated. I rooted for them against Argentina in the World Cup. I like to see CONCACAF represent. But between Mexico and any other CONCACAF team, I’m always 100% against Mexico. The arrogance of their fans and their coach is what gets me the most. I’ve had Mexicans tell me that the reason Mexico lost to the U.S. in 2002 was because of money. They’d rather believe that their team would sell out than believe that they could lose to the U.S. when it mattered the most.
If my Argentine brother-in-law was hassled over who he was supporting in a Mexico-USA match up simply because he was latino, he would be pissed. Why should there be pan-latino support for Mexico?
As an American of Mexican descent (3rd generation), I always support the USA without question, especially against Mexico.
I can understand immigrants (illegal and legal), as well as first generation citizens cheering for Mexico, but by the time 2nd and further generations come around, we honestly have little to zero connection to that country, just like the vast majority of multi-generational non-hispanic Americans.
Besides, it’s always good to beat Mexico, especially for us old timers who endured one automatic loss after another against El Tri (pre and post NASL since NASL did jack squat to improve American soccer). By the time MLS started taking foot, I knew it wouldn’t be long, and now I hope we never lose again.
Soy estadounidense primero y siepmre. Vivan Los Norteamericanos!!
Non-Mexican latinos root against Mexico becuase their natural (natural is their natural ethnic team) have never and will never ammount to anything. Most of their teams fail to qualify for WC, don’t participate in Copa America, Gold Cup and just don’t have the money, tradition and talent of Mexico..Mexico is the darth vader of CONCACAF soccer. The mighty empire that everyone wants to bring down..You must respect Mexico’s history though.
I’m Mexican American and I root for both Mexico and US. Plus, I have two teams to cheer on in WC and other international tournaments š
I have no problem with Mexican-Americans supporting Mexico. I have tons of Italian-American friends and myself am Italian-American. I am USA through and through, but plenty of my friends support Italy and the USA.
What I don’t get is when Americans support national teams that they are not ethnically tied to in any way. If I was Costa Rican-American I might support Costa Rica, but I would never support Mexico, ever.
I like the Church’s Chicken reference above. Church’s rules.
Also, it would be something if any of us ever hear a “Viva Estados Unidos” chant during a US match and even better during a US-Mexico match.
Being Mexican-American, I can atest to the bitter hatred for the USA. Its even harder here in LA.
Go USA!!
Go Estados Unidos!!
As a native Ecuadorean I always root for the US against Mexico… actually most other teams against Mexico. It’s nice to have a fiery fan base. I’m glad there’s more of us out there supporting the US.
Ha ha! Ives has got “The Itis.”
I am one of the few Mexican-Americans that root for the US here in San Diego. Its mostly because I am 3 generations removed from Mexico (I hardly speak Spanish). I think we will see this trend continue as more and more Mexican families turn into 2nd and 3rd generation families.
btw I never went to Goode whatever. But Golden Palace has GREAT DimSum if your into Chinese. They have a bunch of great places (chinese and viet ) to eat on Bellaire.
Houston has the BEST chain food restaurants. Which is why everyone is so fat, and why I gained 11 lbs in 10 days there.
I was recently in Houston and was blown away by a) the Dynamo shirts all over b) the way soccer has grown down there over the past 3 years alone and c) the amount of awesome football stores there . . . Houston is really coming alive with MLS fever.
Hell, I even went to a Churchs Chicken and they had a HUGE Dynamo logo displayed. At another store, they had a cut out of DeRo.
Pretty awesome stuff.
Maybe Iām unusual among US fans with no Latino heritage, but I root for Mexico to do well against top foreign teams because it adds to the prestige of our region. Of course, when they play the US, they are foul thugs who deserve misery heaped upon them. But when they play, say, England, am all for Mexico.
Customer should have responded: Why would you root for Mexico? You live here in the U.S. by choice, correct? Your paycheck is in dollars, is it not?
As a non-Mexican Latino myself, I’ve noticed this myself. That alot of us root for the US, and not Mexico. My father who is Guatemalan roots against Mexico with a passion. My reasoning is different than the current winning streak the US is on. My reasoning is just the overall arrogance you see from Mexican fans concerning “El Tri”, it’s almost as if they truly believe their national team is on the same level as Italy or Brazil. I find the arrogance to be extremely distasteful and makes me just want to root against them – whomever they play. It’s the same reason I root against England, the unwarranted arrogance is a major turnoff. It’s like that mediocre-looking chick at the bar/club with the average body who thinks they are just the SH*T.
Since when do non-Mexican latinos root for Mexico? It’s a given they don’t…
The Heck with Mexico’s Natl team, they are a bunch of thughs who play dirty. What a dush bag that restaurant employee, I would have given him an earl full about how his goal keeper almost took out Eddie Johnson’s knee cap in the last friendly, I forget his name oh yes…. Oswaldo “UNIBROW” Sanchez.
How about Blanco (don’t care if plays for Chicago Fire) how he did the same to Beasley. Let’s not even go with how many times all these punks go head hunting for Donovan. I’m glad Donovan peed on their stadium. I dislike Mexico (not Mexicans or the country) the Natl team. Actually I take that back in a way wasn’t it there fans that after a game that counted for WC qualifying that they burned US Flags in Mexico City and celebrated while chanting 9-11…yeah and than this idiot restaurant employee asks why root for the US, what an imbecile. Sorry Ives but you touched a nerve when it comes to US and Mexico.
As an American born Salvadoran, I cheer for the U.S. twice as hard. Since we Salvadorans love to see Mexico lose. I don’t know any Salvadorans or other non-Mexican Latinos that have ever cheered for Mexico over the U.S.
Hopefully you ate at the one on Kirby
thisisamericansoccer.com has a great interview with Robert Abramowitz, editor in chief of Futbol Mundial among many other things.
Abramowitz recalls a scene during World Cup 2006 when he went to a US game and after he parked outside the stadium, there were three guys who got out of their car.
All three were wearing Mexican national team shirts then took those off and put on U.S. national team shirts.
Great anecdote.
They do exist.
I always did love that place. Can’t get brisket like that in NY.