Unless you are living in a vacuum, in outer, outer space, the Copa Mundial (World Cup) is about to happen. Friday, first game out, is Mexico vs South Africa. The prestige this has bestowed upon Mexico is immeasurable. And I know shit about futbol (soccer). I can't even eat a potato chip without being reminded that the "big show" is about to happen. We have been bombarded with Copa Mundial 2010 SudaAfrica for two years now. The team has been preparing for much longer, I am sure, because if there is one sport that captures Mexico's heart, it is futbol. Oh my God! And I mean it.
There are eighteen teams in the leagues in Mexico. Almost every region has a team, and their fans are rabid. Cruz Azul, Jaguares, Monterrey, Morelia, America, to Tigres, are but a few of these teams that I kinda heard of. Team Mexico draws from these teams, and players who play in other countries, including Carlos Vela -Arsenal, Rafael Marquez - Barcelona. When there is a home team game on TV, it is on in every store, restaurant, bar, gas station, ice cream stand, taco stand, etc. All playoff games, and Championship games draw more TV watchers than any other event in Mexico. Mexico produces a significant world class team, and is well-respected.
How well respected? When in Bali (in the middle of nowhere, really) last year, and cruising the market place, we were asked by a young man, where were we from. We said we lived in Mexico, and before I could say anymore, like "but I'm from California in the US", he was asking us about soccer players here in Mexico. It was scary. The dude knew everyone. I thought about it for a while though, and thought, in fact this is how Mexico is viewed in a comparable third world country. It is viewed with respect, as they have soccer stars here that are world renown. There is great soccer in Mexico. Soccer is a way of life, everywhere apparently, except for the US.
At 7:00 am, I will be watching, along with everyone else in this country. There surely has to be a holiday on Friday, as no one will be working until that game is over with. The US plays England Saturday, at 1:30 PM our time, and I'll be watching that game too. It is a unifying experience to follow a soccer team, especially in a country that breathes soccer even on a hot, hot day. It would be great to see the US and Mexican teams advance. It will be so much fun here, if they do.
Doreen, it really is amazing how the rest of the world celebrates soccer and the U.S. does not. I wonder, is the U.S. the only country that plays what we call football. I am not into sports at all - can you tell? :)
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