On Wednesday night, while engrossed in the United States Men’s National Team 6–0 thumping over a considerably weaker St. Kitts and Nevis side, I couldn’t help but wonder how a team managed to have both St. Kitts AND Nevis, yet still play that poorly. It’s pretty much a 2v1! Adding insult to injury, there was a moment when a player took a hit in the groin, which makes me feel like their already small population of 50,000 won’t be growing anytime soon. Little did I know that the following day would present me with an opportunity to witness the absolute thrill of the CONCACAF Gold Cup firsthand, right here in Glendale’s State Farm Stadium. With two captivating matches scheduled — Qatar vs. Honduras and Haiti vs. Mexico — I wasted no time in inviting my most die-hard soccer fanatic friend to join me for a day filled with CONCACAF madness.
Stepping foot out of the car, the first thing I noticed was the sheer volume of Mexico fans. It was only 4:45 pm, a good two hours before the Mexico game was set to kick off at 7:00 pm, and yet the atmosphere was electric. Tailgating and grilling activities were in full swing, reminding me of American football games (not Cardinals games though, of course). However, there was something different about Mexico fans; they exuded a level of passion and dedication that set them apart. As I made my way into the stadium, I was pleased to receive a free Qatar shirt. There was a tent, and they were just handing out merchandise. It was hilarious to see people posing with Qatar flags and flying them high. Without hesitation, I proudly donned my shirt and embraced my new role as a supporter of the boys in maroon. I got some weird looks throughout the evening, but it was all worth it.
The match between Qatar and Honduras commenced, with Qatar taking an early lead and seemingly in control. However, late-game dramatics ensued, leading to a stunning golazo that allowed Honduras to steal a point. Post-game, to my surprise, a scuffle broke out at midfield among the frustrated Qatari players. I had never expected such a display of the CONCACAF spirit from them, considering, well, they’re not in CONCACAF. The atmosphere was intensifying, but little did I know what awaited me as the Mexico fans began flooding into the stadium.
As the Mexico supporters passionately sang their (pretty poor) national anthem, their energy was palpable. They were brimming with confidence, expecting a dominant performance against the Haitian team and the Mexicans clinching spot in the quarterfinals. The first half remained scoreless, leaving the fans anxious for the breakthrough moment. The best chance of the game was actually Haiti’s, as a poor turnover saw them in prime position to strike first. Then, just after the break, Mexico scored, triggering an eruption of joy and an explosion of beer in the stands. Luckily, I didn’t get doused with any beer from the rows behind me. That stuff’s expensive, anyways — throwing cash down the drain right there. The second goal brought an equally euphoric response. Although the few Haitian fans in the building cheered when their team managed to pull one back, courtesy of Danley Jean Jacques, it was evident that the night belonged to Mexico. The game was quite disappointing in all actuality, but I was able to capture a hilarious fight between two passionate Mexico fans on video — a true embodiment of the Meixcan spirit.
Looking back on my experience, I may have indulged a little too much and spent more money than necessary. Nevertheless, I have no regrets. It was an unforgettable journey into the realm of international soccer, igniting a newfound excitement within me for the upcoming Copa America in 2024, the Club World Cup in 2025, and, of course, the grandeur of the World Cup in 2026. The United States is set to host a series of captivating soccer events, promising plenty of fun soccer across the nation. I honestly can’t wait. The future of the beautiful game is American! (Not really, that was a joke).
