futbol mexicano

We met a guy named Hugo a few weeks ago who works for Tecate. That's right, he works for a beer company. One point of dream job criteria met? Yep. During conversation, we mentioned that we were dying to check out a futbol game (because would the trip really be complete without one? Methinks not.) Turns out, Hugo could get some great tickets from work. Like, number 2 team in the league versus number 3 team...a big game. Another point of dream job criteria met? Oh yeah.

As we walked to the gates on Saturday, one of the guys we went with mentioned that "checking out a futbol game can give you a true sense of Mexico". Damn, was he right. Where shall I even begin?

pregame 'show'/parade
Sponsorship for futbol is expensive, so sponsors want to be sure that their product gets noticed. Here in Mexico, scantily-clad girls are usually one such vehicle to getting attention. So, before the game, the "Carta Blanca chicas" and the "TelCel girls", "Takis mamacitas" and the "Home Depot girls" parade with flags and signs around the field, dancing and shaking their moneymakers. Interesting...

nothing says 'Mexico' like a lucha libre

vendors/beer-guy
While I am fully aware that beer-guys are part of life in the states as well, they're not quite the same. Beer-guys in Mexico are more-or-less on standby for each row of seats, waiting to cater to your beer-related whims. Once you've ordered one or eight, he runs off to gather your brew in a giant white bucket (think 20gallon paint buckets) and brings it to you, where he opens each bottle and pours your frosty beverage. You use a new plastic cup for each beer, and hang on to your empties until the game is over. Then, depending on the number of cups you have at game end, you pay based on the honor system.

please excuse the awful pic...its the best I could do, the place was PACKED

There are also food vendors, similar to those in the US. Pizza, churros, blah blah blah. I did love the vendedores that schlepped around giant cardboard boxes full of goodies - pork rinds, pumpkin seeds, chips, candy, you name it...all carried on their heads.
singing section
There is an entire section of the stands devoted to singing. Not just a jingle every now and then. They sang non-stop during the ENTIRE game. Loudly. Apparently one has to be invited to join the section. I attempted to take a video, but the quality ain't so great and its a smidge shaky...so it may be better to just listen to this one:

SWAT surrounds opposing team's fans
Futbol, as you may now, is serious business in Mexico. So serious that the Mexican equivalent to a SWAT team stands guard of the teeny tiny section that the opposing team's fans inhabit.


the crowd goes wild
I've learned that in futbol, high-scoring games aren't exactly the norm. So, when goals are scored, the place absolutely erupts. I'll save your eardrums on this one, and stick with a pic:


halftime shenanigans
Given the pregame show that we were so lucky to witness, I wasn't sure what could possibly be on tap during halftime. Two groups of 15-20 fans were plucked from the crowd to entertain, and that they did! There was a relay-race of sorts for our enjoyment.
- Phase 1: team A (wearing white) runs at a human-worm/chain formed by team B (wearing blue) and leaps onto their backs, with the objective to break them and make 'em fall. If he/she succeeds, his/her team gets to move to the second phase of the relay...if not, he/she must hold on for dear life until the opposing team completes the same routine, and his/her team gets another shot. If he/she falls off of the worm/chain, the opposing team gets to move to phase 2...
- Phase 2: Upon team A or B's success in breaking the chain, his/her teammate runs, jumps on a small trampoline through an obstacle onto a mat, gets up and shoots a free-kick at a Carta Blanca mascot/goalkeeper (yup, a guy dressed up like a bottle).
This goes on and on for several rounds, and the winning team gets to kick soccer balls into the stands at the fans. I think they also won tickets to something, but the freedom to kick stuff at people could be prize enough for me...

Since this isn't the greatest explanation in the world, let it act as a precursor and experience it for yourself:

other awesomeness

Even rarer than goals are penalty kicks. Lucky for us, we got to see one right in front of us, by Humberto Suazo, the Rayados' star player:

I loved that after he scored, the chant "Suazo...Suazo...ole, ole, ole, ole" quickly rose from the crowd...gotta love Mexico.

Final score: Rayados 3, Toluca 3

Matt, Tracy, Rob, Nicole (um, me.), Hugo, Eric, David, and Daniel

After the game, we gathered at Mister Papa Bill's bar & grill, and had more fun than we probably should have...the game was definitely a highlight of this adventure for me!