Mexico soccer fans celebrate on Third Avenue in Chula Vista despite game's outcome
Crowds gathered at bars and restaurants along Chula Vista's Third Avenue to watch the Mexico vs. England FIFA World Cup match.
Written by Rami Alarian, Edited by Kate Morrissey
FIFA World Cup fans gathered at bars and restaurants along Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Sunday in support of Mexico’s national soccer team in a knockout match against England.
Fans filled the street with a sea of green Mexico team jerseys, long red horns and traditional Mexican matracas. Mexican flags flew on the backs of trucks, hung outside storefronts and wrapped around people’s bodies.
“I have never seen something like this in my life until today,” said Ismael Rodriguez, who was selling snacks on the street. “I couldn’t believe how many people are supporting the soccer game.”
Rodriguez said he had viewed previous Mexico matches on Third Avenue. He was selling food to raise money for his ballet folklorico organization.
He said the event brought the Chula Vista community together and helped to support the city's growth.
Before the match, Abaraham Teran, who watched the game in the back of the restaurant The Balboa, got up from his seat, approached a television and made a motion of a cross to bless the players with his fingers.
With each goal scored against Mexico, Teran moved a sombrero that was hanging around the venue to a different location before sitting back down.
“I was changing up the sombrero, moving it up there to change the vibe to get a little more drive,” Teran said.
Teran has been a soccer fan for as long as he can remember. He said he came to Third Avenue in Chula Vista because so much of his love of soccer comes from local teams and Mexican teams.
“It’s our team. It’s our culture. It's our heritage — it’s all us,” Teran said. “They represent us. We represent them. It’s all together. We’re all unity.”
“Soccer is culture,” Teran said. “Soccer is life.”
Mexico scored two goals against England’s three. After each goal against England, patrons erupted in chants, sprayed whole beer cans into the air, hugged one another and set off their noisemakers.
Fans shouted “Sí, se puede,” or yes, we can, a collective empowerment chant originating from farmer grassroots organizing and “Y si sí,” or what if yes which Mexican fans have used this year to dream about the possibility of their team's success.
After England’s Jarell Quansah received a red card, crowds outside of La Patrona and La Nacional, which shared a wall on Third Avenue, yelled curse words at him on the screen.
Before the game started, the Chula Vista Police Department shut down the street and patrolled Third Avenue. After the game ended, fans immediately filed onto the road and began celebrating by setting off fireworks, throwing bottles and lifting one another into the air while chanting in support of Mexico.
When asked about the police presence that night, Chula Vista Police Department said it was important to help maintain public safety.
“When people enter roadways, block traffic, or throw objects or fireworks, it creates risks for everyone involved,” said Caitlin Clark, a department spokesperson.
Priscilla Ruiz, an El Tri fan, said she saw nothing but love right after the game ended.
“We’re really proud of our team regardless of whether we win or lose,” Ruiz said. “They played a great game, and that’s all we can ask for.”
