Friday’s match between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Mexico National U-20 soccer team was much more than just a soccer match. It was a truly unique international experience and a great way for players and fans alike to learn about a different culture. And it all came for a measly price of $3.00.
The Hoosier faithful were out in full force to support their team...
The first thing that really set this game apart from your average exhibition was the atmosphere, which had a championship aura about it. More than 4,600 fans, including IU supporters, Mexico supporters, and fans who were cheering for both, showed up to Armstrong Stadium to witness the match, and chants of “Mexico, Mexico” and “USA, USA” could be heard at regular intervals.
The Mexico fans were especially enthusiastic. For them it was the equivalent of the USA basketball team scrimmaging at Assembly Hall, and they were prepared to cheer, armed with face paint, flags, masks, and countless jerseys. There was even a great halftime performance by a Mexican band and traditional Mexican dancers, and a band of young fans regularly ran in front of the home crowd proudly waving their nation’s flag, much to the chagrin of the Hoosier fans.
...And so were the Mexico supporters
Despite the marked partisanship of those in attendance (at one point the entire Mexico fanbase united in a cheer that may have been “Losers, losers,” but sounded much like “Loosiers, loosiers), the passion of the crowd was great for both teams.
Freitag emphasized the appeal of the international aspect, saying “whether they’re cheering for Mexico or for IU, it’s the atmosphere of international soccer. I’ve had so many people come up to me and say this is their favorite sporting event on campus, all year.” This is just a small dose of the sporting experience that the rest of the world has been crazy about for years, and yet it is still an amazingly new and different experience here in the US.
“It’s the first time that you’re really going to experience anything close to what other countries are experiencing on a daily basis. Getting all these fans out here, rooting for one team, cheering against another…very rarely do you get that in the US,” said IU goalkeeper Chay Cain. “Even in the professional MLS, you don’t have a lot of fans come out to root against another team just for pure hatred’s sake. I think that environment is very uplifting for everybody.”
Mexico’s players were similarly grateful for the excellent turnout. “We are really thankful for the Mexican crowd that came to watch, as well as the American crowd for really welcoming them and helping them out in their stay here,” said Moises Herrera, who scored the first goal for Mexico.
Another thing that made this exhibition special was that the game was played with the type of physicality worthy of a postseason contest. The match was full of tough contested balls, hard fouls, and of course the occasional flop. Both teams acknowledged the toughness of their opponent. Mexico’s players noted that the game featured more “strength, and fighting for the ball, and that it was overall more physical.”
When confronted with the same question, however, the Hoosiers were quick to point to the contrary. “I think their style is as physical if not more so. They’re very well-schooled in using their body, and they use it well…as far as physical nature, you can look at it both ways,” said Freitag.
"They’re around soccer 24/7. Back home they play professional, they don’t have to worry about school, and they’re usually on a strict diet”
On a similar note, the overall style and skill level of the opposing squads were very evident on the field, due in large part to the amazingly different lifestyles of the Mexican players and the Indiana players.
While the Indiana players are college students first, soccer players second, the Mexican players are basically professional athletes, able to devote the majority of their time to the sport. The Hoosiers sang the praises of the skills of their Mexican counterparts, but at the same time they acknowledged that there was a definite difference in playing environment.
The Mexican players live much different lives than their American counterparts
“You realize people in other countries, how technical they are, just with every single touch. That’s something we always need to continue to work on, just that perfection,” said Cain.
Kelly also spoke highly of his opponents. “Just the way they move. We know we have to constantly move, but they do it probably some of the best I’ve ever seen. They understand each other…They’re around soccer 24/7. Back home they play professional, they don’t have to worry about school, and they’re usually on a strict diet,” said Daniel Kelly, only half joking.
The Mexican players also held a lot of respect for the Hoosier players. “Indiana is a really good team. I hope that they will keep it up…It’s a good feeling when we know we beat a great team, Herrera stated.”
Despite all the differences, everyone who attended the game headed home took home something valuable, whether it was a lesson learned on the field, insight into another culture, or a renewed sense of pride in one’s home country. Indeed, this was no every day soccer game. If you didn’t get a chance to see it this year, don’t miss your chance next year.
Check out the
post-game wrap-up, then
discuss the match in the soccer forums.
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