Well, at least we all made it back alive. Too much to possibly re-cap all at once, but, the team had a chance and didn't take it. The fans, well, I would say we were lucky to avoid any serious incidents. The typical beer shower is one thing, but, this was way worse than last cycle, and really kind of makes you re-think taking this trip. I hope to be back, but, not necessarily under these conditions. We got to the stadium on the trains nice & early. After some waiting around we were marched into our section by security, at which point the security started being dicks about taking our flags away for being too big. We got one photo with the ESC-NYC flag before it was taken, though we did get it back after the game. Vfl Kirwan's 20x30 USA got taken too and we weren't able to use it during the game, which is a ridiculous bummer, but it was eventually returned. We were in a section up at the top of the stadium, security doing an okay but not great job early on. After the stands filled up it started getting a bit testy. They booed the US anthem (classy), and basically started showering us with random objects from then on. I was hit with two beers, a water bottle on the arm, and a sandwich wrapped in tin foil (you gunna finish that?). Many had it a lot worse, including one woman hit with a block of ice, I saw one guy hit full in the face with a bottle of water, and numerous cases of full bottles of soda, water & whatever else being thrown at us at random intervals, including the 4-5 cards that came out and both Mexico goals. If men want to fight other men, hey, fair enough. But it takes a real chump to throw a bottle or block of ice at a woman. Security on the way out was a complete hamster festival, with them walking us through the parking lot full of fans and it nearly kicking off right there. The cops did eventually redeem themselves, giving us a ride in two riot vans to the metro station (as opposed to the light rail, which would have been very ugly), but they often left huge gaps in our security detail and didn't seem to know what they were doing all that often. When the crap really started flying in the last 15 minutes of the game, the cops with riot gear sheilds used them to protect themselves. Way to go. Some Mexican fans shook our hands and clapped on the way out, but many were all too happy to get in our face, and more than a few took it way too far. A line of people spitting at us as we walked out through the stadium was a nice touch. That people weren't seriously hurt is something of a shock. We had a way easier trip of it last cycle down in the lower bowl. On the game, well, it was hard to tell too much but the US certainly didn't get a lot of the ball, and didn't pass well enough to deserve the win. A disappointing effort, really, but we all would have been very happy with the 1-1 draw, considering I never thought we'd finish with all 11 men on the field, considering how much the ref was doing Mexico a solid by making sure they had every chance to win the game. Out for some grub & drinks tonight, followed by a flight home tomorrow. Good job by all of the fans in GENSUR today, it was an experience. See you guys down the road.
That sux man, however what did you expect. Didn't you guys have red shirts displaying "Dos Cero"? Didn't you guys think that maybe that would be a reason to instigate or attract attention. It's still not right, what happend to you guys, but what did you expect. I am certain this would happend in any other country, and not just Mexico. GoRevs has no brain.
After I left Azteca and arrived back at the hotel, (the Shertaton Maria next to the monument where thousands of Mexican fan flood the street and celebrate all national team victories) ,I ran up to my room changed out of my USA jersey for obvious reasons, and went back outside and down the street to the McDonalds for a quick bite to eat. As I headed back to the hotel bottles were being thrown and people running down the street in panic. I was like a deer caught in the headlights and froze, suddenly a line of riot police came running down the street. At the last minute I ducked down a side street and as I approached the Sheraton there was another group of riot police(about 100 cops) surrounding the entrance..not letting anyone in or out. Then another mob of Mexican fans formed and started hurling everything they could get their hands on at the hotel; bottles shrubbery you name it. The police chraged the mob and beat them back to a safer distance. When I was finally able to get back into the lobby, I asked what happened....turns out one US fan hung an American flag outside his window and started a riot!
OK. I'm sorry you got caught up in that and it must have been scary as hell, but that's a great story.
Sounds crappy, but no one got hurt. Anyway, never expect a Mexican cop to do his job. He won't do it unless you provide some motivation. You know, a little bread on the side. Even then, theres no guarantee. Honestly, how hard of a job would you do if you were only getting paid 2 dollars a day. ACAB in Mexico. As for the flag riot story, now do you see why I told people to be careful taking the subway and trying not draw too much attention?
my first reaction was, why would you be stupid enough to do hang the flag out the window. then wait, what kind of reaction was that? they won! imagine if they lost. keep the stories coming. i don't like them as much as i find them interesting. also i heard that US supporters were kicked from the stadium, any truth to it?
In way I guess they did kick us out. Unlike previous years when they would hold us until the stadium emptied out, this time they decided to usher us out as quickly as possible with a wall of riot police. IMO it worked out okay. For the most part I thought the Police had their shit together. With the bus convoy back to the hotels they gave us the VIP treatment by blocking most every intersection from the stadium to the Zona Rosa....felt like I was in the presidential limo
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE65Z9nl6qU&feature=player_embedded#t=51"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE65Z9nl6qU&feature=player_embedded#t=51[/ame] here ya go
Welcome to hell: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPLf3fVevws"]YouTube - mexico city 072[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE65Z9nl6qU"]YouTube - mexico city 073[/ame]
After the match. The policia are escorting us to the buses. Before the motorcade escort to the hotels they insisted that all window curtains be closed for our protection
Jamison pretty much covered it all...what an overwhelming experience. P.S. A big F U to Ole Ole or whoever it was that sold tickets to dozens of Mexican fans in our section...unacceptable.
If anyone wants to browse through my Mexico City Photos head here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29742&id=1002755368&l=e6046b19bd Here are my two favorites: This old geezer still seems sore about the Mexican-American War http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=590082&l=f45a808911&id=1002755368 The Policia holding back the locals so we gringos can get the hell out of there: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=590096&l=41a5d0f2b0&id=1002755368
Just want to say that whoever I met out here I had a blast. EVERYONE was cool as hell and yal definitely making me want to join you guys for other trips. Big ups to the NY group, detroit guys, and the FC Dallas dudes staying in my hotel since I spent most of my time with you guys. Hope to see you guys soon at another WCQ. Also everyone post your pics or links here. I didn't take many pics but a bunch of you took pics of me so I need them lol.
Thanks for the post – keep them coming. What a punch of p*ssies those mexican’ts – real tough guys throwing stuff from above, and to women. I have been in several altercations with classless fans like that in the past – the best way to deal with them is go right up to their face and confront them, at least in my opinion. Oh and leave it to the loser Big soccer Mexican’ts to try to deny their classlessness, or say its not mexies living in Mexico – meanwhile we have the proof from you guys. We treat their fans so well here, and this is how they return the favor. They wonder why we hate their team and their classless fans.
Yes! I wouldn't have it any other way! But putting aside all the match day antics....Mexico City is an amazing place, one of the most underrated cities in the world IMO. There is so much to see and do, it's affordable, and outside of Azteca it's citizens are some of the kindest folks I've encountered in my travels.
Thanks for these stories. You guys are awesome for going down there. I really want to hear stories from the US fans who were taking the Metro and Light Rail to the stadium. I hope they're all okay.