Do You Root For Both Mexico and the USA?

The one and only time I wanted u.s. to win was against spain. The things u.s. fans say about Mexico and Mexicans make me hope England wins by 3.

p.s. Just remember there are over 10,000 Mexican troops in the Middle east. Cheer for Mexico over the u.s. all you want. Mexico pays its dues.

Great post. Thanks, Al.

p.s.s Actually now that i think back Ill share a quick story. Last year I was in my dorm room playing Fifa 09 by myself. This Russian immigrant kid who was u.s./russia fan came in my room with one of my friends. This kids English first off…is horrible. He comes in and goes “hah why are you playing with the Mexico…they are just brown spics. They are f*cking dumb, and they cant play soccer.” I asked him if he was aware that Mexico won the u-17 world cup and he said no. And then I said who should I play with…Russia? A country who didnt even make the world cup? Then i told him to gtfo of my room.

America has NFL, NBA, MLB. According to them. leave el futbol to the rest of us. North America has no bizness in futbol. They will never understand. Futbol is not a sport assholes!!! its a religion.

Awesome post!

Geographically, Mexico is North America. and we shouldnt be uing those terms the too Euro-centric.

Beautifully written post. I can relate 100%. I am American-born, but I was brought up rooting for Mexico. My brother does too, and he's in the Navy. This deserves to be reprinted in the New York Times.

haha I root for both teams, but like you said I root for Mexico when they play usa. For me its cause I like Mexico's style of play more. Possession and tryin to play vs. usa's counter attack and mostly defense.

I can say this, I don't hate usa when they are playing Mexico, I just want mexico to win more. Yeah they're hated rivals but I'm mexican-american. I can't hate the american in me, being racist against myself doesn't make sense.

The only team I can truly say I hate is Italy, just cause of their little “friendly” tactics. I can root for both cause I don't have an underlying hatred for either. This might be easier to relate to players of dual nationality. Poldolski doesn't celebrate when he scores on Poland but he still tries to score. Idk you root for your home country, it just so happens I have 2.

I don't relate and I don't feel bad. A national team carries national pride, and I am proud of being a member of both nations (dual citizenship). I am both happy and hurt when the US and Mexico play, but such is my life. Like you said, “you don’t pick the team, the team picks you.” I was picked by both and I embrace it.

For me, like I wanna root for the US but like there's something inside me that doesn't let me. I'm guessing it's all the games is use to watch with my dad and family when Mexico was playing. When they would play the US, my dad would say so muc shit about them and I would kinda go along with it. Now that I'm older, I got kinda use to not rooting for them. I can't hate the country I was born in right? It's lime my dad hating Mexico, even tho he was born there too. Everytime the US plays another country, I dot wanna root for them, but in my mined, I'm kinda saying leaning to the US side just a bit. Like today, when I was watching the US and England game, I was really rooting for any country, I was just watching cuz there wasn't anything really to watch, so when Gerrard scored I was kinda like, “aww.” when the US scored I started clapping.

Nice Article Al.

My mum is mexican but I have lived in england all my life so i passionately follow both teams (often setting my alarm at 2am to watch mexican world cup qualifiers). However I have gone to see England play Mexico 3 times and each time I have worn my mexico top (once my brother almost paid the price…). I have found when it comes to the world cup i want both teams to win it although i have been more upset when mexico have gone out.

I feel this is to do with the style of football and the characters of the players in both teams. Mexico always play an attractive passing style of football and all there games keep me entertained throughout the match whereas sometimes england can labour through a match but achieve what is necesarry (witness the mexico england game last month). Also it can be difficult the sympathise with mercanaries such as John Terry and Ashley Cole.

For me having two teams gives me twice the interest and enjoyment when it comes to following them and by no means makes me less of a fan of either nation. Altough I do feel If i lived in the USA i would only follow mexico because of some of the hatred and stupid commments some US fans make.

Late to the debate, but my answer is slightly complicated. Born in Mexico, United States citizen. So obviously, I grew up heavily with the Mexican influence, soccer was no different.

But ill cut to the chase. Do I root for the US? Yes. Do I root for Mexico? Yes.

But there is one rule that apples to this. Obviously on a head to head basis it will always be Mexico. However, in the world cup, i root for both baring that they meet like in 2002.

The rule: Root for both Mexico and United States to advance. However, Mexico must always go further and perform better than the US. Hence, if Mexico is out in the first found, i want the US to as well. I just don't want the US to do better than Mexico. But I want them to be good enough.

My reasoning for this, baring the obvious Mexican American element. Its the North American/Concacaf element. Our region, our futbol, our players get little to no respect in an international level. Mexico and the US need to perform better in a world stage to garner respect for one another from an international aspect. Basically, the US, Mexico and Honduras do well… the Concacaf and all three teams win. Level of play increases, the teams battle it out in the Concacaf tournaments and only make each other stronger.

So will I be rooting for the US? Yes, as long as Mexico does better and goes further. But I will also be rooting for Honduras.

I believe most Mexican Americans relate with the article! Please make sure you register to VOTE and influence another Latino to vote at this next elections.

Your logic is flawed. If you live in the USA and pay taxes, would you hope your local neighborhood goes to crap and root for your local schools to lose or become complete holes. No.

I support both teams. Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants have made countless contributions to the growth of the game in this great nation.

Is it always pretty, does it always reflect the true talent of the US = no. But let me tell you watching Torres and Gomez get the opportunity makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Frankly, hating or wishing so and so loses is unhealthy and un-Mexican or un-American. Leave that to the Argies.

At the end of the day this is SPORT, celebrating the game that brings us closer together. FYI- I am also going to root for Honduras. Our region deserves some love.

Actually that happens a lot. Many people from my high school didnt want our teams to win, because of the people who represent them. People have gotten in fights, or bad reputations around school. So if you have reasoning..why cant u root for a team to lose?

The point of the article is that the team you root for is simply a personal preference and should not be related to politics and allegiance. In this case, I'm a proud American but in the sport of soccer I can only bring myself to support Mexico. Has nothing to do with my views toward any particular country or anything. I love the USA as much as anybody and it gave my family opportunity. That being said, without ANY politics involved, I hope Honduras crashes and burns because their fans and players annoy me. Has nothing to do with my views toward the nation of Honduras.I don't believe that argument about supporting the entire CONCACAF because each team's success benefits the region. If you want the level of the region to increase, the quality has to increase from top to bottom, and in our region we only have 3 or 4 really good teams, a few average teams, and the rest scrubs. Having lets say, Honduras and Mexico make the World Cup quarter finals won't benefit the CONCACAF simply by motivating the rest of the countries to achieve greater feats. You would need the Jamaica's and El Salvador's (teams that rarely qualify) to become much stronger and ignite some stiffer competition for the World Cup regulars like Mexico. Does Barcelona winning the Champions League twice in 4 years help promote the growth of La Liga? No. It's still a two team monopoly, then you have a few decent teams, and the rest of the teams remain as average as ever. USA beating Spain and getting CONCACAF's name out there didn't make Mexico think “oh shoot lets step up our game” and improve their level. One of the rules in this sport is that you worry about your team only and not about how your rivals do.

Screw the rest of the CONCACAF. I only care about Mexico, and we don’t need the US, Honduras, or any other team in the region to do well for us to succeed.

No worries, I live in the US and I support France and Algeria .

I love the USA. Every time I hear the national anthem I get goosebumps. My heart swells every time I see a US athlete succeed and I want them to do well in everything that they set out to do. That being said, Mexico's soccer team has my heart just a bit more. I don't know what it is, but it just does. It's not something that I purposely picked; like many others have said, it just chose me. I support both teams(one a tiny bit over the other), and I want them both to succeed. Sure, it's tough when they come up against each other and even though I support El Tri more, I don't like seeing the US lose either. When people ask me who I cheer for they're usually confused by my answer. Not many people in other places are in the same situation. Not many others can be lucky enough to support two countries. They can say “Yeah, I support Germany because I'm German…blah blah” but I don't think it's truly the same thing. As cheesy as this sounds, the US introduced me to the game and Mexico led me to love it. For that I'm eternally grateful and in debt to both countries.

Pretty nice write up up top. But thats about it. You cant conceive of someone rooting for the US and Mexico? Why not? Because they are eternal rivals? Lolz, how immature. I could care less for nationalism or patriotism, but anytime I see a game, I usually end up picking sides. It could be Angola V. Cambodia, I'd probably pick a side.

And just to make it clear, VIVA MEXICO!!!

Go Spain..
im Mexican n support Mexico but my grandparents are from Spain,
so my Heritage is Mexican n know i live in the U.S but i Love mexico but i want spain to win..U.S r ok but no really good talent is just over rated..

Exactly. They almost come to blows every match.

My mom is American, my dad is Mexican, and I am both. I cheer for both. Choosing to completely ignore one team in favor of the other, for me, is like choosing to only value half of my heritage. That being said, when US plays Mexico, I root for Mexico, because a Mexico win matters so much more to Mexicans that a US win does to most Americans I know, with soccer not being that popular here.

——“I root for Mexico when they play the USA, then root for the USA in any other game that they play. They are both my countries and I hope that they both do well”. Have fun with that. —– I do have fun with that, thank you.

I love the writing on top… it certainly applies to me as a soccer fan. I both like the USA and Mexico,however, leaning towards the Mexican side, being Mexican-American. I like it when they play, because i don't see it as a rivalry, but an event of 2 countries that come together.

Unfortunately though, like Luis said, “Our region, our futbol, our players get little to no respect in an international level”. Europe and South America laugh at us. But i always have the dream of one day, whether it's US or Mexico, will bring glory to the North American Continent.

Soccer isn't just a sport… it's an ART!

I agree with this blog. However, there are some people who just get angry because of the team you root for. Not too long ago, I posted a Japanese jersey on my profile from one of those Facebook applications. I am not Japanese. I just like the team. But, I was being told “how come you don't support Mexico.” I don't understand how just posting a picture means a great deal. I support Mexico from my heart, but I don't necessarily show it.

I once pulled for the Mexican team, for the very reasons the blogger above indicated. I felt that if the rivalry was real, then the skill and ability of your rival is reflected on you. In this way, I pulled for Mexico to win on the international stage. I no longer do this. I root against the Mexicans, and hope the fail, and the nation screams in anguish and rips at their hair. I hope they score own goals, and leave the tournament in shame.

Why this change? After standing in my own stadiums and having guests boo my national anthem, I frowned. After having beer bottles thrown at children, not once, but in every game involving Mexico, I became angry. Classless fans in Mexican colors ruined good sporting events. I did not see this from Honduran, Guatemalan, or US fans, only those wearing the green.

Tomorrow I will be a Frenchman, and hope El Tri is crushed. Commence your excuses early.

Yea…everyone in the u.s. has behaved at sporting events. Indiana-Detroit????

WTF?

I was born in the U.S., but being of Mexican parents, grew up a Mexico fan. Up until the U.S. were awarded the World Cup in 1994, I didn't even know the U.S. even had a team. I never heard of the team or any of their players. The U.S. has always put down and ridiculed futbol “soccer” as a childs' game, a game for those who want to play a sport but don't know how to use their hands.
I grew up amoungst a lot of racism and transfered it into national pride for the Mexican team, I realized that the history & the social-economic relations between the U.S. and Mexico play a part of the rivalry.
At first I thought “The U.S. has it's sports, they should let the rest of the world have theirs and not just come in and dominate like the other sports. I always envisioned a “Dream Team” that would come out and destroy everyone including Brazil, England, Spain, Germany, Italy and my Mexico. To my surprise they did not dominate and for a long time were actually embarrassing to watch. Now my thinking is diffrent. Now I don't care who they play, I will root for the other team out of shear spite. I am filled with glee when they lose and especially when they lose to Mexico. I'm tired of the U.S. claiming to be “the greatest country in the world”. They might be a “the greatest country to live in” but they are far from the greatest at the worlds game and for that I am happy and a Mexico only fan.

USA all the way. I was born in the U.S. of Mexican parents too. We all root for U.S.A.

First of all, I'm a Mexican, born and raised, and I will ALWAYS root for Mexico. Excelente post!
And well, there are bad fans everywhere. And I really mean EVERYWHERE. Sad to know you met such unrespectful people cheering for Mexico, we are not all like that. In fact, I've never seen such a thing. I may hate U.S. “soccer” team, but I never would disrespect any fan in that way.
I had a very rough experience with U.S. fans, just like you had with Mexican ones: they were racist, unrespectful and ignorant. That was the day Landon Donovan peed at Jalisco Stadium just to mock every Mexican that was watching the match. That crossed the line. Players mocking people because of the way we talk, the way we cheer. Totally classless. Just wanted to let you know that U.S. futbol had, at that very moment, one of the most classless fans AND players I've ever seen.
So, root for whatever team you want. Its just a matter of choice. Too bad you take the time to hate on some specific team. I consider U.S. a strong rival but never hate like you are hating. I guess I have class.
Sorry about any misspell, English is not my first language.
VIVA MEXICO CABRONES!

I don't understand how people who are born and raised in the U.S. can root against them. I'm Cuban American, and I root for the Cuban baseball team but not if theyre playing the U.S. Why would I? This is my country. If Mexico is so great and you want U.S. to lose than go back to Mexico. Oh that's right Mexico sucks that's why your parents or grandparents moved here. You people are a bunch of sellouts.

I pull for both teams as well. I used to be more inclined towards Mexico since that's what I grew up watching but now I find myself pulling more for the US. I am proud of my Mexican heritage and no one can take that away from me. That being said I find it absurd to favor a country that I never lived in. I have even convinced my parents to start pulling for the US since they've been here for over 30 years. That's most of their lives! If we want soccer to be more prevalent in this country we need to start supporting our national team.

Mexico…I just don't get it. Proud of what…their people leave the country in droves, 60% come to the USA illegally, take benefits, don't pay taxes, use services, then get paid under the table and send the money back to mexico? After Oil, it's the 2nd largest national influx of income to their country! So do I think it's screwed up that they choose to root for the mexican national team while their citizens suck the life blood out of our country…You bet it's wrong…on so many levels…and when you question them about it they either laugh or get belligerent about it! I keep hearing that “my parents are from mexico” yeah sure. it’s called coming to the USA to have an anchor baby! Or this tidbit from b9, there are 10,000 mexicans in the middle east, only the mexican government didn't send them there slick…they joined the US military to become US citizens! So don't make up these stupid excuses! Everyone in the USA is from some where else and most that I see root for the home team…not from where they came from! If you want to root for the mexican team or love your country so much….then go back and try and save it! VIVA USA, USA, USA!

I'm just as American as you and it's people like you that make the country look bad. It must suck not having an identity other than “American” and actually experiencing culture. But you idiots don't care, you just sit back in your Cheeto-stained chairs and go on the internet to spread your pro-USA bullshit. And it hurts, but the US is a great place to live but it also has many problems as well, and what are we ranked, like 7th in quality of life? But this isn't the place to get all political. I'll just say that this country is NOT #1 like you nationalist assholes make it out to be. Have fun with your USA USA USA when you're dumped out of the World Cup soon. Maybe you can go back to watching a sport that only this country cares about (football, baseball) just because they aren't capable of competing with the rest of the world in something. Pathetic. And Mexico's team is still better than the USA's.