On Saturday, Mexico faced the Dominican Republic in a soccer match at SoFi Stadium, marking the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Mexico emerged victorious with a close score of 3-2. However, the atmosphere was far from celebratory for many fans.
Just a dozen miles away, protests were taking place against federal immigration raids targeting the Latino community. This backdrop of unrest made it difficult for fans to fully embrace the joy of the game. El Coronel, a leader of the supporter group "Pancho Villa’s Army," expressed the sentiment many felt. He noted that while games usually bring celebration, this time it felt inappropriate to rejoice amid the suffering of their community.
The protests coincided with a heightened presence of law enforcement, including police and National Guard troops, which left many in the Latino community feeling uneasy about attending the match. Some fans chose to stay away, fearing it could be a target for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In solidarity with their community, Pancho Villa’s Army and other supporter groups canceled their usual pregame festivities, including tailgating. El Coronel attended the game in a hoodie instead of his team’s jersey, feeling it was not the right time to celebrate.
Carmen Garcia, who had purchased a $350 VIP ticket, attended the game but admitted she was unhappy about it. She said she tried to get a refund but was denied. Daniel Fuentes, another fan, chose to join the protests instead of entering the stadium, voicing his frustration over the treatment of Latinos.
Despite the circumstances, the match went on, but attendance was noticeably lower than usual. The crowd of 54,309 was significantly less than the average of over 64,000 for Mexico’s previous games at SoFi Stadium.
After the game, Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, spoke about the need to support their community through their performance on the field. He emphasized the importance of giving fans a reason to feel proud, even in difficult times.
The match showcased not only the spirit of competition but also the challenges faced by the Latino community in Southern California. As fans grappled with their emotions, the game served as a reminder of the broader issues affecting their lives.